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 the

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

The words taste like ash on my

flickering across her face. "Well, we'll be behind you, in case anything happens." Holding out her hand, I notice that she's holding the candle I asked

"Here."

"Thanks."

are everywhere, tugging at the straps and buckles of my gear, testing the fit with an intensity that borders on invasive. I squirm under his

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grumble,

a stare that can cut glass.

for a fashion show or a

mutter under my breath, "It's not about how they look. I just want my feet to

hard to tell when he punctuates it with a smack to my back that nearly sends me

Liam and Adam. They'll be coming with us. Remember, if I tell you to jump, you jump. Don't stop to ask

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 I am beneath their

Probably not.

had a lifetime of these

his gaze sweeping over us in a silent inspection. I stand a little straighter,

of me, his eyes boring into mine

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Ava Dressing

that steals my breath. "Be

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

expression grows more serious. "I

times."

Selene chimes in, slinking to my side. This time,

beneath the weight of Kellan's concern, I nod. "I will. Liam and

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

prepared than be caught pooping in the

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