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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?
a few circles. You are strong. You
do?” I ask
again. Live, she says simply. Just as
Do not borrow trouble before it finds you.
***
couch cushions, trying to let Selene’s words wash over me. Live. Just
when she says
her head, those piercing blue eyes fixing me with an intent stare. You cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You must
at my lips. “What do
arm with her cold, wet
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Ava: A Familiar
your body as you would your mind. You cannot rely solely on me to
blink at her. I’m not completely soft. I’ve had to learn to
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.
me again, I need to be able to defend myself. My only chance
a slow nod, I steel my resolve. “Okay. What do I
need to do?”
I approach Mrs. Elkins
story about a
Elkins’s brow furrows in concern, but
“Of course, dear. As long
I don’t mind at
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A Familiar Scont
me. “Thank you, Mrs. Elkins. I really appreciate
one of her warm, grandmotherly smiles. “Not a problem, Ava. Just
in return, her kindness lancing through my chest. If only
of my small living room- push–ups, sit–ups, air squats, a hundred each. My muscles
teeth and push through
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