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

he sparis, pacing the room like a caged predator.

under his breath, "Raised an

at the harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is letting his emotions cloud his judgment,

conclusions without evidence.

to be his

for sure," I say softly,

motives are unclear, but

means us harm."

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

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

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"

past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just- fuck.

both a thousand times, never become complacent in the power of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be brought to your knees.” "Jesus,

low

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, his voice ringing with

time for this."

simmering just beneath the surface. One day, I'll learn more about this history between them, but now

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

his head. "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

works."

suggest?" Lucas asks, his jaw

in his eye. "You need to use

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

his gaze, his expression darkening. "No. Absolutely not. I