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

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

mutters under his breath, "Raised an impulsive

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

conclusions without evidence.

to be his weakness when I'm

sure," I say softly,

unclear, but

means us harm."

me, his eyes flashing. "How

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

nor frindering us ve

We can't afford

before we act"

weight of this past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls,

told you both a thousand times, never become complacent in the power of the

a low growl rumbling from his chest.

beneath the surface as Kellan stiffens, his shoulders squaring. He meets his father's gaze head-on, and dominance radiates off them in waves. Lucas steps between them, his own

time for this."

down, but the animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One day, I'll learn

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

as porous as a sieve, and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Vampires

works."

you suggest?" Lucas

me, a calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the ones you're not

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

"No. Absolutely not. I