Tangled

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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."

get it.

a huge part of me that still doesn't feel

to think

But more than that...

stares up at

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

"Selene."

twitch, but

think we should go

tonight. It has to be

if I'll make it in

17:43

Ava: Solone isn't

is uncharacteristically silent as I set my plans in motion. I don't ask how, but Kellan manages to get

hour before the rites begin, which should be just enough time to make it there in time. Kellan alternates between calm and brooding, but there's a distinct feeling of approval that I don't think he's ever given me

as Lucas' mate; he's never once looked at me with high regard

that

knife.

to attend the rites of lives lost during

massacre.

is uncharacteristically silent herself, seeming to struggle with Vanessa's words. There's a faint

I can feel her waffling

much time to think about it, because Vanessa's words keep circling around

wrong when I'm

changed something inside my head. Something

fills my ears as I rest my head against the small

17:43

Selene

expanse of clouds. It's a beautiful

my eyes, letting out a

many lives lost, and all I've really thought

but-I'm the alpha's

failure of an

of

thing on my mind was independence. Of proving

life in Cedarwood. All things

from here.

Away from responsibility.

Away from reality.

who lost

They're important, too.

freedom, or did

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

to look at the back of my

shoulders slumping at his words.

17:43

Avt Selene Isn't

have no idea what blunt words

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

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

the families of the victims

how many will be