Tangled

172

172

172 Ava: Boiling Point

The jarring melody blares out of my phone, startling me nearly out. of my skin.

Selene's ears flick as I grab it, seeing Lucas' name flash across the screen. Both butterflies and dread swim through me; butterflies, because it's Lucas.

Dread, because I'm hiding things from him again.

"Hello?"

"I miss you."

H

His greeting is so him, and my lips curl up immediately. "I miss you,

too."

"Are you okay? Hurt anywhere?"

Of course, he knows about the riot. "I'm fine. Not hurt at all. Everyone kept me safe."

When he sighs, I can imagine his face, how his brows furrow as he inspects me. "I wish you hadn't come outside."

"I held my own, though, didn't I?" There's a little pride in my voice over that.

"So I hear. It would have been better if you weren't in danger, though."

Vanessa's stopped pacing to stare out the window, still in thought. Selene flops into my lap, and I scratch behind her ears absently. "You can't shelter me from everything."

17:42

11) Asa ng Pers

"I should be able to."

my heart and send my hackles up. "I'm not a

were, Ava." Immediately into that soothing tone. He's always trying to

always going to be protective of his mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her voice

the soft feel of Selene's fur beneath my hands, I force myself to relax. It's Lucas. He's done so

the words come out before

and

Shit.

for a few seconds, and I

as well

talking to Mom's wolf. She might be more willing

The silence continues.

strong enough

flying over there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note in his voice I've never

a little. "You can't. You have so much to

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

trying to do crazy bullshit again, and you expect me to stay here and let

through the speaker. What the hell? My heart races, confusion and shock warring inside me. "Lucas, wait,

many times. What are you going to do when Alpha Renard realizes you aren't defective af His words hit me like a punch to the

at my eyes, but anger flares hot on

my teeth. "I'm

need to be safe, not taking unnecessary risks "That's not fair! I'm trying to help Lisa, or have you forgotten about her?" My voice rises with each word, trembling with

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

How did that go for you? I gave in to you and there was an entire massacre on pack lands, Ava. Do you know how many families I had to speak to? Do you know how many bodies

of how much effort I'm making in trying to get Lisa back, even when she isn't my pack. But you have to throw

hard it was to do

"You might

secrets, but you don't trust me to bring Lisa back. Or that I'm doing things with your best interest in mind. You don't think about me, and the lack of respect absolutely blows my fucking mind, Ava. I' brained fucking

to help my best friend, especially if you

situation. It's

don't need you to treat me like glass! I can handle myself." Even as I say the words, doubt coils

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point