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.

my job, as his

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

Wait.

did this phone call get through? We're in the Fae Ward. It shouldn't have gotten through to us. It

I hadn't realized how

encouragement in his voice makes it feel like we're in a classroom, and I'm

it is, it helps my

was Alpha Westwood's mate. She didn't call me by name, yet she has my number." He nods.

weird Wouldn't she either call me by name or call me Luna?" That's what the other

Ava: Clear

out I'm his

he

"She said I

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."

approval in Marcus' voice has my back straightening and

else that strikes you from

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

Ah.

weird on my tongue, almost naked. But it does make him feel a little less powerful in my

you question?" Marcus

I shake my head.

That they need you."

tilt my head.

Mc.

would they need

weak; barely

are a secret, and even then, they're almost useless until I

would anyone need me to save