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

guarde acas's face darkens with each

he sparis, pacing the room like a caged predator. "She's

under his breath, "Raised an impulsive beast,

I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas

conclusions without evidence.

to be his

sure," I

"Sister Miriam's motives are unclear, but I don't think

means us harm."

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

hurt me, but she hasn't, I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic and dustring, but I don't believe she's our enemy. She's warning

nor frindering us ve

attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford

before we act"

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

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

curls as he eyes Kellan, a low growl rumbling from

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,

time for this."

beneath the surface. One day, I'll learn more about

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

"High alert? You 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 around and

works."

you suggest?" Lucas

need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the

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

"No. Absolutely