Tangled

177

177

177 Ava: Accepting Her Pack

During the few funeral rites Alpha Renard held in Blackwood, he spent a lot of time pontificating. Especially during the rites for h

sons.

Here, Lucas says nothing. Does nothing. Only stands there, his arms crossed over his chest, as he watches the pyres burn.

The amount of human bodies decreases as they all take to their wolf forms, standing and waiting. When I glance at Kellan, I can see that unfocused look in his eyes.

Lucas must be talking through the pack link.

That's why it's quiet.

There are wolves to either side of him, and I don't recognize any them. Then again, I know very few members of the pack.

I'd chafed over that, used it as an excuse to go to the party. But how much effort had I made to get to know these people? At every turn, I felt stifled by their regard for me as Lucas' mate. Did I ever engage the

If I can't even get to know the bodyguards sent to keep me safe at the cost of their own lives...

What kind of person doesn't even try, and just complains about her lack of freedom? a

If I had gotten to know them, perhaps things would be different.

17:44

177 Ava Accepting Her Pack

Instead of complaining that I couldn't go anywhere without them, maybe outings would have been fun with them. Maybe the other pack members would have seen me trying to be friends...

Ah.

All those people watching me during training take on a different meaning in my head now.

Who would welcome an aloof wolf into their midst, knowing she's made no effort to assimilate into the pack?

My whining is a sour taste in my mouth, especially knowing that some of those people have now lost their lives because of me.

Despite understanding the tragedy, despite feeling terrible over the loss of life and injuries, I'd never once put a single one of their lives as a priority. I'd focused instead on Lisa.

They deserve more from us, Selene murmurs, sitting beside me with her ears flat against her skull. I once led my pack. I would

have never...

in confusion once

her head

breaking eye contact with those burning pyres and the smoke covering the sky in a dense,

tears filling my eyes once more. We cannot lose more people. I don't know what to

Selene stiffens. Ava.

20

the bodies burning in front of us. She's staring into the forest, her ears pricked

What is it?

nostrils flaring as she scents the air. I'm not sure. It seems

seem to notice anything. No one here

Kellan, and I remain in our

with mine from across the clearing, his amber eyes fiery as they reflect the light of the

warm weight, a

arm. I wait until his eyes meet mine. Not wanting to cause panic with words, I jerk my

language and

look hits his eyes

away from the pack

it. I assure Selene,

she's struggling not to run

offer to her, but she presses her body against my shins, even as she continues

They might focus

Accenting

isn't like every member of the pack

His fur is so dark it's nearly black, but the flickering light

oncoming night. A howl rips from his throat, deep and mournful, the sound vibrating

entire area echoes with their song of grief and loss. Tears streak down my cheeks, but I make no move to wipe them away. The weight of the lives lost se As the fires continue to burn, several

my ear, his voice taut with tension.

fallen."

heard him, but my eyes are locked on Lucas' wolf.

in the flickering light. The bond between us pulses, and I want nothing more than to go. to him,

whine escaping her. Ava, we should

pricked towards the forest. Before I can even respond, Lucas bolts. His powerful legs propel him forward at a monstrous pace as he races in the

the car. Now! Kellan barks, shoving me

growls that sound far too vicious for

Kellan practically throws into the backseat before jumping behind the

hunt.".

the scene, I twist in my seat to stare out back window at the blazing pyres lighting the sky. The wolves a

A vampire? Here?

I'm sorry. I was so f Kellan curses under his breath and pulls out his phone, punching i a number. "Vester? Is everything okay there? Any sign of a vampire?" He's silent for a moment, listening. "Alright, keep me