Tangled

174

174

174 Ava: Selene Isn't Human

Selene writhes against the bedspread, looking like a puppy chastised. She says these are our growing pains, and I'm too old to be throwing a tantrum like a pup.

She sounds so offended that I almost laugh.

Almost.

But I can feel the threat in her mental presence. If I dare to laugh now, I'll never hear the end of it.

So I focus on Vanessa, instead.

"Ava, listen. A wolf is not human. Our wolves think of ourselves. first, and everyone else secondary. They're focused on power first, and results second. Not on the sacrifices. Results are what matter, and everyt A soft, husky-like yowling bark comes out of Selene. That isn't true,

Isn't it?

Somehow, it feels very...

Don't you dare finish that thought. Selene snaps at the air. We also care about the sacrifices, and understand relationships become complicated when we do what needs to be done. Vanessa watches me with a patient stare.

"Sorry. Selene was talking."

"I can see that." Her smile is faint. "They usually do, when we get this talk. But it's usually when we're pups, and it comes from our

parents. This is the first wolves and the babes chat I've had with an

adult.

Wolves and the babes?

That sounds so... adorable.

But I remember clearly what a 12-year-old wolf shifter is like. A voracious appetite, short temper, and a tendency towards sneaking around to get what they want. Not very adorable.

"Look, Ava. Ultimately, the relationship wolves have with each other is not the same as humans have with each other. A wolf might understand why they were pushed aside, once all is said an done. They can ac detriment to their pack bond, knowing that the end result is the most important thing. But we," and she points between us, "are not like that. If Lucas were to ghost you, how would you feel?" That's easy. "Terrible." We've already lived through that.

"And if he did things behind your back, saying the entire time that it was what was best for you, and you just have to trust him?"

Seeing where she's going, I can't hold her gaze, lowering

mine to the bedspread. It's soft, with a few threads loose, perfect to pluck while being forced to face hard truths. "I would feel awful. Like he doesn't trust me. Like our relationship isn't as strong as it should be." Thinking on it, on how I felt when I lived in what I felt were gilded cages, "And angry. I would definitely be angry."

Vanessa nods. “Now, have Selene answer that question, and think about it. I'm going to see what I can do to make this 'hare-brained'

174 Art Rolene Un? Human

scheme of yours work."

Selene walks stiff-legged to curl up under the window, flatly

refusing to respond to Vanessa's homework.

Which must mean that Vanessa's assessment of her Lycan psyche is spot-on.

It is not, Selene huffs, sounding rankled.

"Mhm."

it. These

part of me that still doesn't feel like I really did anything

horrified to think

But more than that...

text stares up at me from

my behavior was acceptable. I just hate knowing that you're putting yourself in danger without coming to me for help first. When

"Selene."

twitch, but her sulking

go back. For

said bodies would burn tonight. It has to be for the

wonder if I'll make it in

17:43

Solone

as I set my plans in motion. I don't ask

make it there in time. Kellan alternates between calm and brooding, but there's a distinct feeling of

respect as Lucas' mate; he's never

a subtle difference, one that stabs into my heart

knife.

wanted to attend the rites of lives

massacre.

Vanessa's words. There's a faint sense of her emotions in the back

her

it, because Vanessa's words keep circling around and around in my

be wrong when

simple concept, and yet it's changed something inside

fills my ears as I rest my head against the small oval window. These overwhelming

17:43

Avo: Selene Isn't

the endless expanse of clouds. It's a beautiful sunset below us, with orange

my eyes, letting out

lives lost, and all I've

but-I'm the alpha's

failure of an

failure of

my mind was independence. Of proving

life in Cedarwood. All things that take me

from here.

Away from responsibility.

Away from reality.

missing. She's important. But those people who lost

They're important, too.

want freedom, or did

shifts uncomfortably, hearing every word of my soft mutterings. "Do you really want

on the glass as he turns to look at the back of my head, probably wondering what's come over me

at his words. Whatever

17:43

Avt Selene Isn't

and I have no idea what blunt words will come out of Kellan's

pathetic to worry about my hurt feelings when I'm on my way to a funeral, and yet my heart cringes at

been so certain I was growing as a person; now, I feel like I've

the families of the victims see

will be furious