Tangled

Unshift 214

Unshift 214

214 Ava: Dressing for Danger

Lucas doesn't answer Kellan's text, or my phone call.

Probably busy again with the Council.

Stretching, I test the range of motion in the lightweight tactical clothing Kellan provided. The fabric is breau..able, but I'm already sweating beneath the impact-resistant layer in the shirt. A knife rests heavy on my belt, and the boots feel stiff, promising blisters if I have to run for my life. But of course the beta insisted, so here I am, trussed up like an operative minus the arsenal.

The bodyguards have all ditched their suits for similar getups, though several sport guns on their hips. I turn to Marcus, brow raised. "Why don't I get a gun?"

He barely glances my way. "A gun in untrained hands is just asking for trouble."

I purse my lips but concede his point with silence. Using it would require an instruction manual, and there's no time for that in an

emergency.

Still seems like something I should probably learn, considering that my physical prowess is much worse than the average shifter.

The door swings open and I blink in surprise as Vanessa strides in, kitted out like some special ops soldier. She catches my stare and explains, "Jericho updated me." Something in her gaze gives me pause. Is that pride? Whatever it is, I shift uncomfortably under the unexpected approval. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

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214 Ava. Dressing for Danger

Vanessa's lips quirk. "Lately, you've seemed paralyzed by

indecision, scared to make the wrong move, I'm glad to see you've found your confidence again."

A humorless laugh escapes me. Confidence? I'm trembling in my boots. Literally. "I'm not confident at all. I'm constantly second-guessing myself, wondering what the right call is." Vanessa steps closer, her voice low and intense. "Stop admitting that. Everyone needs their leaders to project confidence, even if

it's an act."

whispers reminding me of all the ways I could fail. All

it takes hold, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. Fake it 'til you make it, right? I meet Vanessa's gaze, hoping

The words taste like ash on my tongue, but I force them out anyway. "It's

nods, something like satisfaction flickering across her face. "Well, we'll be behind you, in case anything happens." Holding out her hand, I notice that she's

"Here."

"Thanks."

buckles of my gear, testing the fit with an intensity that borders on

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to kill me grumble, flexing my toes against the

fixing me with a stare

for a fashion

my breath, "It's not about how they look. I just

grunts, and I think it might be approval, but it's hard to tell when he punctuates it with a smack to my back that nearly sends me stumbling. I shoot him a scowl, but he's already tioning to two other bodyguards, more of the

coming with us. Remember, if I tell you to jump, you jump. Don't stop

their faces from the constant rotation of suited figures that shadow my every move. It's strange, finally putting names to the stoic expressions. "Got it. Nice to officially meet you." They incline their heads, professional to a fault, and I wonder if they're as nervous as

Probably not.

of these

and Kellan strides in, his gaze sweeping over us in a silent inspection. I stand a little

comes to a stop in front of me, his eyes

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Ava Dressing for

my breath. "Be

more confident than it feels. "Careful? Always. Besides, it'll be weird not having you around.

more serious. "I mean it, Ava. Be careful. Stay

times."

in, slinking to my side. This time, I'm not leaving

the weight of Kellan's concern, I nod. "I will. Liam and Adam will think I'm

phone on you. Don't hesitate to call for backup if anything goes wrong." He's acting like we're about to head into war. In his head, that's probably true. Still, it's hard not to feel like we're overreacting to a trip to see

be caught

out loud. Pooping in the bushes? Really? That's what