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."

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

off the spiral before it takes hold, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. Fake it 'til you make it, right? I meet Vanessa's gaze, hoping she can't see

more wavering." The words taste like ash on my tongue, but I force them out

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

"Here."

"Thanks."

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

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are going to kill me grumble,

fixing me with a stare that can cut glass.

a fashion

"It's not about how they look. I just want my feet

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

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

rotation of suited figures that shadow my every move. It's strange, finally putting names to the stoic expressions. "Got it. Nice to officially

Probably not.

a lifetime of these kinds

in

a stop in front of me, his eyes boring into mine

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Dressing for

breath.

a grin, hoping it looks more confident than it feels. "Careful? Always. Besides, it'll be

more serious. "I mean it, Ava. Be careful. Stay with your guards at

times."

care of you, Selene chimes in, slinking to my

of Kellan's concern, I nod. "I will. Liam and Adam will

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

than be

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