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

we couldn't trust her," he sparis, pacing the room like a caged predator.

breath, "Raised an impulsive beast, I

harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is letting his emotions cloud his judgment, jumping

conclusions without evidence.

be his weakness when

know that for sure," I say softly, reaching for

motives are unclear, but I don't think

means us harm."

whirls on me, his eyes flashing. "How can

voice gaining strength. "She's

nor frindering us ve

drawing our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford to make assumptions. We

before we act"

and his shoulders sag a little beneath the weight of this past week. Running a hand through

power of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be brought to your knees.” "Jesus, Dad, not

eyes Kellan, a low growl rumbling from his chest. "Watch

wolves bristling beneath the surface as Kellan stiffens, his shoulders squaring. He meets his father's gaze head-on, and dominance radiates off them in waves. Lucas steps between them, his own power flaring to life. "Enough." he commands, his voice ringing with authority.

time for this."

two men back down, but the animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One

Jericho, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean, we're too complacent? We've been on high alert since

are as porous as a sieve, and

works."

you suggest?" Lucas asks, his

eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including

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

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