25 Ava: A Familiar Scent Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
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
14-46 –
177
25 Ava: A Familiar Scent
back.
Fight back?
I’d never imagined fighting back.
How can a wolfless defect fight back?
circles. You are strong. You have me. We will not
do?” I ask
yawns again. Live, she says simply. Just as
Do not borrow trouble before
***
let Selene’s words wash over me. Live. Just live. It
when she says it like that.
blue eyes fixing me with an intent stare. You cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You
my lips. “What
my arm with her
14:46 —
217
Ava: A Familiar Scont
you would your mind. You cannot
completely soft. I’ve had to learn to run. But
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
words.
defend myself. My only chance at true freedom is becoming strong enough to fight back
a slow nod, I steel my resolve.
need to do?”
morning, I approach Mrs.
about a class I’ve decided to take, not daring to reveal the real reason.
furrows in concern, but she
course, dear. As long as you
done before you leave, I don’t mind
14:46
3/7
Ava: A Familiar Scont
me. “Thank you, Mrs. Elkins. I really appreciate your understanding.”
one of her warm, grandmotherly smiles. “Not a problem, Ava. Just
a smile in return, her kindness lancing through
my small living room- push–ups, sit–ups, air squats, a hundred each. My muscles strain and burn with the
grit my teeth and push through the discomfort.
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!