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

incapacitater guarde acas's face darkens with each word, a growl rumbling in his

the room like a caged predator. "She's

breath, "Raised an impulsive beast,

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

conclusions without evidence.

to be his

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

are unclear, but I

means us harm."

eyes flashing. "How can you

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

nor frindering us ve

clears his throat, drawing our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford to make assumptions. We need more

before we act"

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

curls as he eyes Kellan, a low

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

time for this."

One day, I'll learn more about this history between them, but now isn't

do you mean, we're too complacent? We've been on high alert since the

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

works."

what do you suggest?" Lucas asks, his jaw

his eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the ones you're not comfortable

my chest. He means me. My connection to

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