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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
do?” I ask
yawns again. Live, she says simply. Just as you
Do not borrow trouble before it finds
***
and fall onto the couch cushions, trying to let Selene’s words wash over me.
when she says it
keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You must strengthen it.
at my lips. “What do
her cold, wet nose. Exercise.
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Ava: A Familiar Scont
body as you would your mind. You cannot rely solely on me
not completely soft. I’ve had to learn to run. But to Selene, I’m soft.
get fit. To toughen up, build muscle, increase my stamina. A tremor of trepidation runs through
words.
from my pack–comes for me again, I need to be able to defend myself. My only chance
a slow nod, I steel my resolve. “Okay. What do
need to do?”
I approach Mrs.
to leave work early three days a week. I spin a vague story about a class I’ve decided to
in
As long as you can have
I don’t
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A Familiar Scont
Mrs. Elkins. I really appreciate
me one of her warm, grandmotherly smiles. “Not a problem, Ava. Just take care of yourself, alright?”
in return, her kindness lancing through my
my small living room- push–ups, sit–ups,
teeth and
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