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.

something wrong. I can tell

holds me captive, demanding an answer I'm

the party without guards, risking everything for a taste of freedom, or

silly when

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173 Ava: Hard Truths

"Was there no middle ground, Ava? No way to get what you wanted while staying

want to argue, to defend my actions, but

reminder of her presence. Perhaps

into a proper sitting position, feeling too childish in how I'm moping, I do my best to meet Vanessa's

supports in my world. So I take a deep breath and think, letting her words soak in, pushing Lucas and his anger far from my mind. "Maybe there was another

sounds pathetic, even

black and white, Ava. It's a tapestry woven with countless shades

not." The answer comes easily, a truth I've always

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123 Ava Hard Truths

voice gentle but insistent, "do you paint your own choices in such stark contrasts? 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 for the answer within myself. Selene's

Easier to believe I have no choice,

Deep down, I know 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 was too determined to stand on

prove my

of being suffocated by the constant surveillance and control. I wanted to prove that I could make my own choices, that I'm r Vanessa grabs

softest whine. You are much stronger than

echoes. "But that

is weakness. That

on v

123 Ae Yard Trich

And it doesn't mean you

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

A flicker of sadness

Like me.

Only thinking of Lisa.

more

watches me. "What do you think you should have done?" My mind

feel. Not on how to fix it, or how to take responsibility." Feeling

gently as my phone buzzes. "That's

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