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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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back.
Fight back?
I’d never imagined fighting back.
How can a wolfless defect fight back?
not wolfless, she reminds me, settling on the couch after a few circles. You are strong. You have me. We will not
do?”
again. Live, she says simply.
trouble before it finds you.
***
the couch cushions, trying to let Selene’s
says it
me with an intent stare. You cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You
at my lips.
pushes my arm with her cold, wet
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Ava: A Familiar Scont
your mind. You cannot rely solely on
had to learn to run. But to Selene,
fit. To toughen up, build muscle, increase my stamina. A tremor of trepidation runs through me, but I can’t deny
words.
again, I need to be able to defend myself.
a slow nod, I steel my resolve. “Okay. What do I
need to do?”
morning, I approach Mrs. Elkins
I spin a vague story about a class I’ve decided to take, not daring to reveal
furrows in concern,
long as you can have
before you leave, I
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A Familiar Scont
Mrs.
grandmotherly smiles. “Not a problem, Ava. Just take care of yourself,
lancing through my chest. If only
living room- push–ups, sit–ups, air squats, a hundred each. My muscles strain and
but I grit my teeth and push through the
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