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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?
wolfless, she reminds me, settling on the couch after a few circles.
do?” I
yawns again. Live, she says simply. Just as you
trouble before it
***
onto the couch cushions, trying to let Selene’s words wash over me. Live. Just
simple when she says it like that.
me with an intent stare. You cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You must strengthen it.
lips. “What do
with her cold, wet nose. Exercise.
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Ava: A Familiar
as you would your mind. You cannot rely solely on me to protect you forever.
soft. I’ve had to learn to run. But
that makes sense. I’m nothing compared to shifters. She wants me to get fit. To toughen up, build muscle, increase my stamina. A tremor of trepidation runs through me, but I can’t deny the logic in
words.
able to defend myself. My only chance at true freedom is becoming strong enough to fight back if
steel my resolve. “Okay. What do I
need to do?”
next morning, I approach
week. I spin a vague story about a class I’ve
furrows in concern,
dear. As long as
before you leave, I don’t mind
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Ava: A
me. “Thank you, Mrs. Elkins. I really
her warm, grandmotherly smiles. “Not a problem,
force a smile in return, her kindness lancing through my chest. If
calisthenics in the privacy of my small living room- push–ups, sit–ups, air squats, a hundred each. My muscles strain and burn with the
teeth and push through
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