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

acas's face darkens with each word, a

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

breath, "Raised an impulsive

deny the truth in them. Lucas

conclusions without evidence.

be his weakness when

sure," I

motives are unclear,

means us harm."

eyes flashing. "How

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

nor frindering us ve

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

before we act"

the weight of this past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just- fuck. These damn bloodsuckers keep

a thousand times, never become complacent in the power of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be brought to

he eyes Kellan, a low growl

with tension, their wolves bristling 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 power flaring to life. "Enough." he

time for this."

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

turns to Jericho, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean, we're too

as a sieve, and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Vampires aren't like shifters.

works."

what do you suggest?"

calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use

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

gaze, his expression darkening. "No.