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Selene growls, pacing as she sniffs every corner of the room. Her hackles are stiff. Even though she’s just a dog right now, it’s still intimidating.
That bastard was here, Selene confirms, after sniffing around the bedroom. He won’t harm you. Her lip curls back into a soft snarl. I can smell his regret with every step he took.
I collapse, my legs too weak to hold me up. That refreshed, revitalized feeling is gone. Only fear
remains.
“What am I going to do? I can’t stay here. If he found me, that means Dad can find me.”
Perhaps. Selene stretches with a large yawn. I would not worry yet, cub. You are not as defenseless as you once were, and you cannot run forever.
“But-”
You cannot run forever, Selene repeats forcefully, and I fall silent, struggling against the panic fluttering against my ribcage. One day, you might have to fight
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25 Ava: A Familiar Scent
back.
Fight back?
I’d never imagined fighting back.
How can a wolfless defect fight back?
couch after a few circles. You are strong. You have me. We will not return to
we do?” I ask
says simply. Just
Do not borrow trouble before it
***
fall onto the couch cushions, trying to let Selene’s words wash over me. Live. Just live. It sounds
says
blue eyes fixing me with an intent stare. You cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft.
at my lips.
her cold, wet nose. Exercise.
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Ava: A
as you would your mind. You cannot
not completely soft. I’ve had to learn to run. But to Selene, I’m
up, build muscle, increase my stamina. A tremor
words.
to defend myself. My only chance at true freedom is becoming strong enough to fight back if necessary.
nod, I steel my resolve. “Okay. What
need to do?”
I approach Mrs. Elkins with
work early three days a week. I spin a vague story about a class I’ve decided to take, not daring
Elkins’s brow furrows in concern, but she doesn’t
As long
leave, I
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over me. “Thank you, Mrs.
“Not a problem, Ava. Just take care of yourself, alright?”
smile in return, her kindness lancing through my chest. If only she
in the privacy of my small living room- push–ups, sit–ups, air squats, a hundred each. My muscles
I grit my teeth and push through
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