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

pacing the room like a caged predator. "She's toying with

breath, "Raised an impulsive

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

sure," I say softly, reaching

are unclear, but

means us harm."

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

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

nor frindering us ve

We can't afford to make assumptions. We need

before we act"

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

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

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

and dominance radiates off

time for this."

animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One

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

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."

what do you suggest?" Lucas

calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the ones you're

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

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