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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. You are strong. You have me. We
we do?” I ask
again. Live, she says simply.
Do not borrow trouble before it finds you.
***
fall onto the couch cushions, trying to let Selene’s words wash over me. Live.
simple when she says
with an intent stare. You cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You must strengthen
at my lips. “What
her cold,
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A Familiar Scont
You cannot rely
blink at her. I’m not completely soft. I’ve had to learn to run. But to Selene,
to shifters. She wants me to get fit. To toughen up, build muscle,
words.
to be able to defend myself. My only
my resolve. “Okay.
need to do?”
morning, I approach
three days a week. I spin a vague story about a class I’ve decided to take, not daring
brow furrows in concern, but she doesn’t
long as you can
before you leave, I
14:46
3/7
Ava: A
“Thank you, Mrs. Elkins. I really appreciate your
me one of her warm, grandmotherly smiles. “Not
her kindness lancing through my chest. If only she knew…
privacy of my small living room- push–ups, sit–ups, air
but I grit my teeth and
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