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

oddly incapacitater guarde acas's face darkens with each word, a growl rumbling

pacing the room like

mutters under his breath, "Raised an impulsive beast,

truth in them.

conclusions without evidence.

his weakness

sure," I say softly, reaching

motives are unclear, but

means us harm."

me, his eyes flashing. "How can you say that?

opportunities to hurt me, but she hasn't, I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's

nor frindering us ve

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

before we act"

week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just- fuck. These

times, never become complacent in the power of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be brought

a low growl

with tension, their wolves bristling beneath the surface as Kellan stiffens, his shoulders squaring. He meets his father's gaze head-on, and dominance radiates off

time for this."

men back down, but the animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One day, I'll

do you mean, we're too complacent? We've

call this high alert? Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Vampires aren't like shifters. They're not like h guards

works."

suggest?" Lucas asks, his jaw

me, a calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the

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

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