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,

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

Wait.

the Fae Ward. It shouldn't have gotten through to

hadn't realized how bunched up

it feel like we're in a classroom, and I'm responding to

it is, it helps my mind

mate. She didn't call me by name, yet she

either call me by name or

Clear

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

he

said I

Another nod.

one in Westwood knows I'm with the Fae. Only Lucas." Everyone who knew is at Blackwood. "Maybe she's Blackwood? No. Wait. Any Blackwood wolf

"Exactly."

straightening and my

there anything else that strikes

my brows together, 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

Ah.

almost naked. But it does make him feel a little

question?" Marcus probes,

I shake my head.

said you need to return. That they need you." He

my head. "I know,

Mc.

they

weak; barely

then, they're

why would anyone need