Tangled

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173 Ava: Hard Truths

Vanessa sighs, her hand warm and gentle against my back, rubbing in soothing circles. "Ava, understand that you can be wrong, even when you're right. Or right, even when you're wrong." A laugh bubbles up, hysterical and wild. "That makes no sense."

"You chafe under his protection. You feel caged, right?"

A quick nod. Of course. That much is obvious.

"It's okay to feel that way. It's normal, even. But is Lucas wrong to keep your safety in consideration?"

Selene sighs, bumping her head against my legs, and I tug at one of her ears. "No, of course not."

"The party was a terrible misfortune. None of us expected a

vampire attack on pack lands. For something like this to happen..." Her words trail off, and she glances away. "I don't even know how long it's been. We knew Blackwood was working with the Unregistered in some way, but to have this level of alliance is unheard of."

Hunching my shoulders, I mutter, "I never would have gone, if I'd known."

"I know." The gentle rubbing never ceases. "And Lucas didn't blame you. He doesn't blame you. He blames himself."

"But he didn't do anything wrong. It was me." Guilt gnaws at me. "I was the one who bothered him about the guards. About my freedom. I pushed to go to the party. Everything was because of

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173 Ava: Hard Truths

1. me. The vampire wanted me, and now Lisa's gone."

Resting my forehead on my knees, I whisper, "I'm a plague to

everyone who cares about me. So many people are dead, and even Lisa..."

"A defeatist attitude isn't going to help you, Ava." The back rubs stop as Vanessa gets off the bed, her voice firming. "The time for wallowing is long past. You've grown stronger, and you're no longer the flinching massacre happened. Neither you or Lucas knew it would happen. It's a terrible and unfortunate situation."

"But it's my fault. What am I supposed to do?" Turning my head so my cheek is against my knees, I watch Vanessa as she stands in front of me. "It's my fault. I should have just sat at home and kept my mouths danger..."

Vanessa stares at me, one brow raised, as my words trail off.

can tell in

captive, demanding

choices in life? To go to the party without guards, risking everything for a taste of freedom, or to stay locked away in your

so silly when she

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173 Ava: Hard Truths

Ava? No way

with the unyielding walls of my stubborn resolve. I want to argue, to defend

of her presence. Perhaps I pushed too hard as well, little wolf. Her voice is more hesitant than

into a proper sitting position, feeling too childish in how I'm moping, I do

think, letting her words soak in, pushing Lucas and his anger far from my mind. "Maybe there was

pathetic, even to my own

her expression softening with understanding. "The world is rarely black and white, Ava. It's a tapestry woven with countless shades of

comes easily, a truth I've always know but somehow

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123 Ava Hard Truths

Why do you see only the extremes, without considering the possibilities that lie between?" Her question hangs in the air, a challenge I can't ignore. I close my eyes, searching

easier? Easier to believe I have no choice, that I'm backed into

there were other options, other paths I could have taken. Compromises I could have made, if only I'd been willing to look beyond my own stubborn pride. I

to prove my independence

by the constant surveillance and control. I wanted to prove that

are strong, Selene insists, with the softest whine. You are much

strong," Vanessa echoes.

is weakness. That doesn't

on v

123 Ae Yard Trich

your boundaries. And it doesn't

squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back, grateful for the connection between us. Her voice is soft as she continues, "The desire for freedom, for autonomy, is a powerful thing. But it's important to remember I nod, blinking back the tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks.

Many lives were lost. Young lives, lives with promise. While the fault lies with our enemies, it is a consequence that we should have avoided." A flicker of sadness crosses her face. "Our alpha will

Like me.

Only thinking of Lisa.

have been more careful, more

watches me. "What do you think

your guilt, aren't you?" she asks, though her tone isn't accusing. "Focused on how my words are causing you to feel. Not on how to fix it, or how to take responsibility." Feeling somehow ashamed, I nod. I'm

my hand gently as my phone buzzes. "That's

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