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

we couldn't trust her," he sparis, pacing the room like a caged predator.

his breath, "Raised an impulsive beast, I

but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is letting his emotions

conclusions without evidence.

his

know that for sure," I say softly, reaching

motives are unclear, but I don't

means us harm."

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

voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic

nor frindering us ve

our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford to make

before we act"

a little beneath the weight of this past week. Running a hand through

never become complacent in the power of

eyes Kellan, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

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

time for this."

but the animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One

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

high alert? Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Vampires aren't

works."

what do you suggest?" Lucas asks, his jaw

calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use

my heart hammering in my chest. He means me. My connection to Sister

gaze, his expression darkening. "No. Absolutely