Tangled
184

184 Ava: What Are You Going to Do About It?

Staring at Jericho, I don't know how to respond.

The idea that I might cause more deaths moving forward is so horrifying, it's paralyzing.

That's not something I ever want to happen again.

"You have a long way to go yet before you can

claim that spot by the alpha's side. Sit up straight, girl." Jericho's finger jabs the air, pointing right at me. "Why are you wallowing in fear instead of forging forward?"

My mind goes blank. No words come to my defense, no clever retorts or explanations. Just... nothing, too surprised by the confrontation, too confused on where he's trying to go with his

words.

"I came back to see the rites-"

He slaps his thigh with a groan that sounds like it comes from the depths of his soul. "Is this the future of the Westwood Pack? We've gone too soft on a future Luna, I see."

My spine stiffens at that, a spark of indignation flaring to life. But before I can grasp onto it, Jericho's voice cracks through the room like a whip.

"You killed eighteen people. Nearly twenty more are still in the hospital, healing. Yeah? So what?"

Horror floods through me, dousing that tiny ember of defiance.

"You shouldn't treat their lives so lightly. I whisper. "They would

still be alive it...

Jericho roars, the sound ricocheting off the walls, and I flinch from

its volume. "I'm not taking them lightly! I'm asking you-" he leans forward, his eyes blazing, "-what are you going to do about it? Stop acting like a mouse and act like a wolf!" My heart hammers against my ribs. What does he want me to say? That I'm sorry? That I'll do better? The words tangle on my tongue, trapped behind the lump in my throat. Somehow, I know that's not what he wants.

He's looking for more.

Jericho waits, his gaze unwavering, demanding an answer.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I... I want to become strong enough to stand

legitimately beside Lucas. Save my friend. Save this pack. I don't want to cower behind any of you. I want to be stronger than you."

For a long moment, he just looks at me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nods. "That's all I needed to know."

Relief floods through me, so intense it leaves me lightheaded. But before I can fully process it, Selene's voice cuts through the silence. His wolf talked to me.

I whip my head around to stare at her, my eyes wide. "What?"

Jericho looks at Selene, clicking his tongue. "Wolves have no business running around like mutts," he mutters.

My fond reels, living to make sense of this new information. Jericho's wolf talked to her? How did they even know...?

You know about Selene?" I demand, my voice cracking with

Surprise.

Selene tilts her head, her blue eyes fixed on the grizzled man, the demon of Westwood's training center. He knows much. He is a wise wolf.

"No dog could handle living on pack lands. Never heard a wolf outside of us, but strange things exist in this world."

Jericho's weight settles on the window ledge, the leather of his jacket creaking as he leans against the frame. His gaze, sharp as a blade, cuts through the glass to the world outside. The lines etched into his we "Can you contact this Sister Miriam yourself?" His voice is low, gruff, the words scraping against each other like gravel.

I nod, my fingers twisting together in my lap. "Yes, I think so,"

He grunts, the sound more contemplative than dismissive. "Do you trust her?"

"I don't know," I admit, the words bitter on my tongue. "But she's the only one who seems to have any idea what's going on with me. With all of this. It makes me think we're stuck trusting her."

Jericho's jaw tightens, his gaze drifting back to the window. "She assumes you'll be entering the Unregistered city."

It's not a question, but a statement.

"What does she mean by applying under her grace?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jericho's eyes snap back to mine, the intensity in them making me want to shrink back. "It means she's offering you protection. A way in without being detected." Protection. The word echoes in my mind, both a promise and a threat. What would it mean to accept Sister Miriam's grace? What would I be agreeing to?

"Is that even possible?" I ask, my brow furrowing. "I thought the Unregistered city was impenetrable."

Jericho's lips twist into a wry smile, devoid of humor. "Nothing is impenetrable, girl. Not even the strongholds of the supernatural.”

I let that sink in, the weight of it settling on my shoulders like a physical burden. If Sister Miriam can get me into the Unregistered city, then maybe, just maybe, I have a chance of replaceing Lisa. Of bringing her home.

But at what cost?

Selene's presence brushes against my mind, a gentle reminder that I'm not alone in this. We must be cautious, Ava. The vampire's offer may come with strings attached. Of course it does.

There's no way it doesn't.

I can't rush into this blindly, no matter how desperate I am to save Lisa. A deep price has already been paid. I don't want to have that happen again.

"What do you think I should do?" I ask Jericho, curious to his thoughts.

He regards me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if he's trying to see into my very soul. "Once you step into that world, there's no turning back. The consequences might be more than you can bear I think of Lisa, trapped and alone, waiting for someone to save her. I think of the pack, the lives lost and the ones still hanging in the balance. I think of Lucas, fighting to keep me safe, even against my

will.

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