Page 100 of Fool Moon First Aid

“I never suggested you marry the guy,” Mia retorts, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

“The Castellons were…” I start, feeling a shiver run through me. “They were like something out of a horror movie. They left me alone with him, and let’s just say his countdown has begun.” I rush through the highlights for them. “My dad storms in, declares I’m married, which somehow triggers me. I shift out of pure stress, bolt, then shift back, and poof, all my injuries have healed. Next thing I know, I’m at this adorable ice-cream shop with Ethan—the same kid who bit my finger when we were little.” I shoot Eloise a glare for emphasis.

Did I skim over the worst parts? Yes. Am I going to give them the true horrifying details? No. Some things are best left unsaid.

“Oh, that kid.” Eloise’s eyebrows climb up her forehead, clearly recalling the tales Mia and I spun about him.

“Your childhood nemesis turned wolf,” Mia deadpans, leaning back with a dramatic thud.

“Anyway…” I roll my eyes at them, eager to move on. “I spend the night with Tyler and wake up to this she-wolf telling Brody that my dad’s the head of the Puritas. Then, the cherry on top, I find out Ethan has packed up my entire apartment without bothering to ask,” I finish, my breath heavy from the rapid-fire recap.

“Oh, is that all?” Eloise quips, sarcasm heavy in her voice.

“I might have glossed over a few things,” I admit, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me.

“The juicy details, you mean,” Mia interjects, shaking her head in disbelief. “So where do we begin to dive in?”

“Her dad,” Eloise says, assuming she’s helping. “We start there.”

“Eloise, chill. Let Ava take the lead. It’s her story,” Mia corrects her, but her heart is in the right place.

“It’s fine, starting with my dad does make sense,” I concede, knowing it’s the right starting point. “I’ve spent years under his roof, following orders without question.”

“But you always had your music,” Mia reminds me, trying to find a silver lining. “Seriously, it’s a wonder you’re not more messed up.”

“Oh!” Eloise laughs, pointing at Mia. “Those fae candies are definitely doing their magic.”

“I’m beginning to regret sharing,” I confess, the absurdity of my situation hitting me full force. “The crazy part? If they’d just asked, I would have been on board to take down my dad.” The words feel like a declaration of war, and a strange mix of resolve and dread settles over me. “Maybe it’s the candies talking, or maybe it’s destiny,” I ponder, feeling oddly at peace with the idea.

“You’re not going after your dad,” Mia states firmly, giving my cheek a light slap. “Get that out of your head.”

Eloise snickers and hiccups. “She doesn’t even realize she said that aloud.”

The doorbell rings, pulling me away from our bubble of conspiracy. “I have it. You two enjoy your giggle fest,” I say, making my way to the door. They might find humor in this situation, but deep down, I know I’m setting myself on a path to confront my dad. The how remains a mystery, but one way or another, he’s going to get what’s coming to him.

I grip the doorknob and fling the door open. Tyler’s there, looking all kinds of awkward with our takeout bags in hand. Planting one hand firmly on the doorframe and popping my hip out, I serve him my best glare. “Start talking.”

“Hungry?” he asks, extending the bags toward me as his cheeks blaze a telltale red.

“Tyler…” I snatch the bags, quickly offloading them onto Mia, who practically has her ear pressed to the door. “Why are you here?”

His eyes dart to the girls and then back to me. “I made a promise to always keep you safe, didn’t I?”

Eloise is practically melting against the wall next to the door, her eyes twinkling like she caught sight of a shooting star or the spirit comet. “Oh, to have someone say that about me…”

“Suffocate you?” I retort, instantly regretting my snark. My eyes go wide at my implication.

As Tyler’s face shifts through the entire red spectrum, he starts, “Butterfly,” only to be cut off by Eloise’s delighted moan.

“Can we not?” I physically haul her away, passing her to Mia like a hot potato, then I zero my attention back in on Tyler, who’s now fighting back a smirk.

“I’m not here to justify Ethan’s actions?—”

“He was out of line,” I cut in sharply.

Tyler holds up his hands in surrender. “You’re right,” he concedes, the earnestness in his voice striking a chord. “And I’m not here to apologize for him.”

“Good, because you shouldn’t,” I snap back, feeling both anger and appreciation for his honesty.

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