Chapter 122 Ava: Getting Stronger

"Don't push yourself too hard."

Lucas' voice is deeper through the phone, giving our hushed conversation in my bedroom a more sordid feeling than would be expected, given the fact that we haven't talked about anything remotely intimate.

That fated-mate tingle settles into my nether regions as he speaks. Lisa's asleep, and Kellan is, too, taking over the couch in the living room like he does every night.

"I'm not." Trying not to wake the others, I speak in a soft murmur.

"I miss you." He sounds frustrated. Tired.

Kellan said he's been trying to track down my family. I hope he finds them soon; I just want everything to be over. Having guards everywhere I go is awful.

I have yet to meet anyone new. No friends. Not even acquaintances. I don't even get to buy things at the store, because someone is always sent to buy what I ask for.

It's suffocating.

"Have you made any progress?"

"Mmm." His noncommital sound gives little hope. "I will find them, Ava. You will be safe."

"I know."

"Get some sleep. It's late."

"I will." A yawn catches me by surprise, my jaw cracking with the force of it.

"Good night, Ava."

"Good night, Lucas."

* * *

despite my long hospital stay, my body has suffered no ill effects. My muscles are toned, what little excess flab I had around my belly is gone, and I breeze through most of Jericho's

become athletic. That doesn't mean I've magically gained an ability to

be

a haze of training, Kellan's constant presence, and Lucas coming and going from

vociferously. It yearns

she's avoided open hostility. It's an improvement. I can understand, though. She, too, is frustrated

a training group of young shifters in the

Kellan's refusal is

snaps, turning back to me. "Are you

says, the vehemence in her voice earning her a dark

but I can't?" He protests in

because I'm saying what she wants to say, and you're not." Getting between them is pointless; it just goes round and round. Jericho watches me with expectation

people. I would even venture to say that

grimace that passes for a smile in

grabbing my arm in a hug. "It's

"They're in the training

gymnasium with a bunch of junior shifters doesn't sound like a fun time,

with at least twenty young shifters, almost all men, all sparring on the mats. Lisa clings to my

as a born-human, to be surrounded by a bunch

walks up to us with a respectful bow in Jericho's direction, one hand over her heart. All the others turn and bow after she does, with the same motion. I look at Jericho in confusion, but he doesn't acknowledge it, just staring in his signature brooding way across the

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