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.

I can tell in her

demanding an answer

go to the party without guards, risking everything for a taste of freedom, or to stay locked away in your apartment, watched at all times like a p I remain silent, my tongue leaden and

when she lays

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173 Ava: Hard Truths

middle ground, Ava? No way

rattle around in my skull, colliding with the unyielding walls of my stubborn resolve. I want to argue, to defend my actions, but the weight of her wisdom holds me back. Is she right? Could

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

feeling too childish in how I'm moping, I do my best to

of the few supports in my world. So I take a deep breath and think, letting her words soak in, pushing Lucas

pathetic, even to

is rarely black and white, Ava. It's a tapestry woven with countless shades of gray. Do you believe everything is so clear- cut? That

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

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123 Ava Hard Truths

you see only the extremes, without considering the possibilities that lie between?" Her question hangs in the air, a

no choice, that I'm backed into a corner

I know there were other options, other paths I could have taken. Compromises I could have made,

prove my independence

suffocated by the constant surveillance and control. I wanted to prove that I could make my own choices, that

softest whine. You

are strong," Vanessa echoes. "But

weakness. That doesn't mean

on v

123 Ae Yard Trich

your boundaries. And it doesn't

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

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 always c of those lives on his soul, because his decisions led to that tragedy. He does not hide

Like me.

Only thinking of Lisa.

should have been more careful, more

me. "What do you think you

she asks, though her tone isn't accusing. "Focused on how my words are causing you to feel. Not

my hand gently as

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