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...

off in confusion once more, and I stroke

head without looking

those burning pyres and the smoke covering the sky

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

Selene stiffens. Ava.

20

her voice catches me off guard. She's no longer starring toward the bodies burning

What is it?

she scents the air. I'm not sure. It

to notice anything. No one here does, and they're

and I remain in our human

eyes connect with mine from across the clearing, his amber eyes fiery

fated bond between us is a warm weight, a comfort in my chest, even through the

Kellan's arm. I wait until his eyes meet mine. Not wanting to cause panic with words, I

language and turns in the same direction

that familiar, unfocused look

away from

Selene, but I can hear her

if she's struggling not to

body against my shins, even as she continues to stare

They might focus on my

Accenting

of that. It isn't like every member of the pack is attuned to

His fur is so dark

the oncoming night. A howl rips from his throat, deep

one, the other wolves join in the lament until the 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

night in their wolf forms," Kellan murmurs in my ear, his voice

fallen."

nod to show I heard him, but my

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

a low whine escaping her. Ava, we

bolts. His powerful legs propel him forward at a monstrous pace as he races in

Kellan barks, shoving me none-too-gently

that sound far too vicious for simple hunt. Fear claws at my

vampire." Kellan practically throws into the backseat before jumping

hunt.".

stare out back window

A vampire? Here?

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