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,

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

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 bunched

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

is, it helps

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

me by name or

Ava: Clear

find out I'm his mate. Even

he

think back. "She said

Another nod.

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

"Exactly."

my back straightening and my chin lifting with a sense

else that strikes you from that

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

Ah.

my tongue, almost naked. But it does make him feel

question?" Marcus probes, clearly aiming for

I shake my head.

you need to return. That they

tilt my head. "I know,

Mc.

they need

weak; barely

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

would anyone need me to