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

cryptic warning, the oddly incapacitater guarde acas's face darkens with each word, a growl rumbling in his

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

under his breath, "Raised an impulsive

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

conclusions without evidence.

to be his weakness when I'm

know that for sure,"

motives are unclear, but I don't think

means us harm."

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

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

nor frindering us ve

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

before we act"

sag a little beneath the weight of this past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I

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, Dad,

a low growl rumbling from his

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."

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

"What do you mean, we're too

shaking 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 not like h guards around

works."

you suggest?" Lucas asks,

gaze slides to me, a calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use every resource at your

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

expression darkening. "No. Absolutely not. I won't put Ava in