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

the

his breath, "Raised an impulsive

in them. Lucas is letting his emotions cloud his judgment, jumping

conclusions without evidence.

be his weakness

that for sure," I say softly, reaching for

unclear, but I

means us harm."

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

my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic

nor frindering us ve

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

before we act"

past week. Running a hand through his hair,

told you both a thousand times, never become complacent in the power of the pack. Get too proud,

lip curls as he 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."

two men back down, but the animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One day, I'll learn more about this history between

do you mean, we're

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

works."

suggest?" Lucas asks, his

to use every resource at your disposal. Including the

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

expression darkening. "No. Absolutely not.