Tangled

45 Ava: Clearminded

A week has passed since that first fateful night with Clayton, and the haze of my heat is finally fading.

Clayton rarely left my side, and every time I think of him, I blush. To go from a virgin with almost no experience to so many memories of his naked body over mine, his large hands rough on my skin, and the near–violent collision of our passion, over and over again…?

It’s like a different world.

I can’t help looking at men a little differently, with a little bit more suspicion. If someone as polite and gentlemanly as Clayton can have that side of him, aren’t they all just brutal beasts in bed?

Well, your heat experience is a little unique, Selene says dryly.

Clayton’s back with his pack today, doing alpha–things, I think. I’m not sure. He was gone when I woke up.

The nurses haven’t discharged me yet, saying they just want to make sure I’m okay. I’m more than okay. I feel

14:58 —

45 Ava: Clearminded

strong and refreshed. Even some of the scars all over my neck from failed claiming marks–so many failed attempts, because heat–Ava apparently really likes when he tries–are slowly fading from the first night.

They’ll be gone in another week, Selene agrees.

It looks brutal, like I’ve been attacked by a wild animal. In a way, I guess I was–Clayton wasn’t in his right mind, either–but claiming marks by nature have always healed quickly.

The scars usually stay, though.

Now that I can feel my heat is done, I feel embarrassed and guilty more than anything. I’m sure it must be awkward for Clayton, as well.

near the hospital, frustrated because she can’t get to me. She can apparently?-scale the building to my window, but could never come

us want to give up our secrets, so she stayed outside, parted

this time, Selene orders

as she too thinks about this

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45 Ava Clearminded

It’s been rough.

The clasp had broken, and it didn’t take long for my heat

take over.

that, but I’ll get it out of her eventually. Right now, I’m just anxious to go home. I was given the option of using Clayton’s phone to get in touch with anyone worried about me, but I don’t want any of them to know who I

knows about The Novel Grind, he can find my information easily. If he knows my information, he can figure out what pack I’m from. If

his pack first. I don’t know what he would do if my pack asked

plan to sneak back into

pillows with a sigh. I want to go for a walk, but the nurses won’t let me leave the isolation room

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45 Ava Clearminded

Who cares? He’s

ex–fated.

can’t help but think about him anyway. During my heat, that ever–present ache in my chest had disappeared… but

the last week.

about. You aren’t mated.

Also true.

But still.

in with an air of confidence.

must be Ava,” she says, giving me a warm smile. “I’m

she waves a hand dismissively.

sink back onto the bed, a little self–conscious under her

14:58

45 Ava: Clearminded

worthy of her brother.

day of the week. Clayton’s an accomplished alpha with a pack who