Tangled

185

185

185 Ava: Can't Sacrifice the Pack for One

Person

"I don't mind sacrificing my life for Lisa's. But I can't sacrifice this pack for her. I'm struggling to know how to juggle these feelings."

The truth has my shoulders sagging, but he only nods.

"Responsibility will always be a shackle to your decisions. It's a good lesson to learn."

"Better if I'd learned it before lives were lost," I mutter, full of

self-deprecation.

"Sit up straight," Jericho snaps, his voice cracking like a whip. "Feeling sorry for yourself doesn't help anyone."

My spine stiffens even as I flinch, scrambling to obey the older wolf before my brain catches up to his demands.

Training is a scary thing.

Selene's ears perk up, and his head swivels toward the door. A few seconds later, I hear the thud of approaching footsteps. Jericho grunts, "That alpha sure took his sweet time."" The door bursts open, and Lucas strides in, Kellan at his heels.

Lucas's amber eyes lock onto me, wild and desperate, and he rushes to my side. His hands skim over my arms, my face, as if reassuring himself I'm unharmed.

"Are you okay? Did the vampire hurt you?" His words tumble out in a frantic rush, even though I'm sure he's been informed of my

↑ Devacho summarizes the situation in clipped tones. Skuter Mirams

acas's face darkens with each word, a growl rumbling in his

knew we couldn't trust her," he sparis, pacing the

mutters under his breath, "Raised an impulsive

in them. Lucas is letting his emotions cloud his

conclusions without evidence.

be his weakness

for sure,"

unclear, but I don't think

means us harm."

"How can you say

but she hasn't, I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic and dustring, but I

nor frindering us ve

clears his throat, drawing our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford to make

before we act"

weight of this past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just- fuck. These damn bloodsuckers keep coming onto my lands, and

of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be brought to

curls as he eyes Kellan, a low growl rumbling from

head-on, and dominance radiates off them in waves. Lucas steps between them,

time for this."

the surface. One day, I'll

"What do you mean, we're too

head. "High alert? You call this high alert? Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and

works."

suggest?" Lucas asks, his jaw

"You need to use

hard, my heart hammering in my chest. He means me. My connection

his expression darkening. "No. Absolutely not. I won't put