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

face darkens with each word, a growl

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

breath, "Raised an impulsive beast, I

harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is letting

conclusions without evidence.

be his weakness when

don't know that for sure," I say softly,

Miriam's motives are unclear, but I

means us harm."

me, his eyes flashing. "How can you

she's had plenty of opportunities to hurt me, but she hasn't, I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic and dustring,

nor frindering us ve

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

before we act"

hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just- fuck. These damn bloodsuckers keep coming onto my lands, and I don't

in the power of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be

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

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."

One day, I'll learn more about this history between them, but

you mean, we're too complacent?

and you're letting your

works."

you suggest?" Lucas asks, his

to use every resource at your disposal. Including the ones you're not comfortable

means me. My connection

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