Tangled

Unshift 250

Unshift 250

250 Ava: Clear Her Mind

Stern expression. Narrow eyes. Tight lips.

He thinks I'm about to do something reckless.

My mouth is covered, so I close my eyes and breathe through my nose, drawing oxygen into my lungs and stretching them as far as I can bear, before releasing it all in a single measured breath. One. Two. Three. I count each inhale and exhale, willing my racing pulse to slow.

When I open my eyes again, I meet Marcus' gaze. His hand drops from my mouth as he takes a step back, giving me space.

It helps me feel less trapped by the panic fluttering in my heart.

"I'm listening," I say, my voice steadier than I feel inside. "What do I need to know?"

Marcus holds up my phone, tapping the screen as he stares at me. "First, we can't trust random phone calls. Anyone could be on the other end of that line, Ava. It could be a trap."

I bite my lip. "But what if it's not? What if Lucas and the pack really are in danger? We can't reach them-doesn't it lead credence to what she was saying?"

"Then rushing in blindly won't help them," Marcus counters. His tone softens slightly. "I know you're worried. But we need to be smart about this. You can't run off half-cocked. That's how you get kidnapped-"I wince. "-or worse."

Okay. Of course he's right.

Everything I do is on impulse and instinct, and I don't have a track record of stellar

decision-making.

So I take another deep breath, ignoring how small I feel when I realize how much I'm still lacking. Being upset over good advice is childish.

Forcing myself to think logically, I take a moment to mull it over.

Of course I can just ask Marcus what to do, but there's a reason he isn't throwing orders at me.

that's my job, as

it through, Ava. Strange phone call, vague statements, and a voice I

Wait.

call get through? We're in the Fae Ward. It shouldn't have gotten through to us. It can't be a

how bunched up

like we're in a classroom, and

it is, it helps my

She didn't call me by name, yet she has my number." He nods. "Good.

me by name

Ava: Clear

when they find out I'm his mate. Even without an official

strange," he

think back. "She said I can't trust

Another nod.

with the Fae. Only Lucas." Everyone who knew is at Blackwood. "Maybe she's Blackwood? No. Wait. Any Blackwood wolf would know my name." And very few

"Exactly."

Marcus' voice has my back straightening and my chin lifting with a

anything else that

thinking. "I don't think so. She was cut off in the middle of talking about Lucas..." My voice trails off. "No, she said Alpha. If she's Blackwood, that might mean Alpha Renard." Glancing up, I'm surprised to see his nose wrinkle in disgust. "Just call

Ah.

feels weird on my tongue, almost naked. But it does

gives you question?" Marcus probes, clearly aiming

I shake my head.

you need to return. That they need

head. "I know, I

Mc.

would they need

barely

are a secret, and even then, they're almost

anyone need