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

trust her," he sparis, pacing the room

mutters under his breath, "Raised

at the harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in

conclusions without evidence.

his

that for sure," I say

unclear, but

means us harm."

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

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

nor frindering us ve

his throat, drawing our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford

before we act"

a hand through his hair, he growls, "I

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

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

meets his father's gaze head-on, and dominance radiates off them in waves. Lucas steps between them, his

time for this."

surface. One day, I'll learn more about

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

head. "High alert? You call this high alert? Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and you're letting

works."

you suggest?" Lucas

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

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

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