Tangled

46 Ava: Living Arrangements?!

46 Ava: Living Arrangements?!

I eye Ivy warily as she smiles at me, that warm expression not quite reaching her sharp gaze. “Clayton sent me to ensure you settle into your new lodgings comfortably. He personally chose the apartment himself and hopes it will suit you.”

I fight the frown that wants to curl my lips down. “That’s very kind of him, but I don’t need a place to stay. I’d prefer to just return home, if it’s all the same.”

Ivy’s smile doesn’t falter, but there’s a calculating glint in her eyes now. “And where is home for you, Ava? No one has managed to get even that basic information out of you yet.”

I hesitate, my heart giving a hard thump against my ribs. Telling this woman anything about my past or my origins feels unwise, and thinking that way makes me feel guilty. After all, everyone in this pack has treated me so kindly, even during my most embarrassing

moments.

Pressing my lips together, I refuse as politely as I can. “I just want to return home. I appreciate the offer, but

46 Ava: Living Arrangements?!

you all have done too much for me as it is.”

Ivy watches me closely. “I see,” she murmurs. “Well, I’ll let Clayton know that you refused.” She sounds a little too satisfied.

I watch Ivy closely as she takes my hands in hers, searching her face for any hint of deception. There’s something almost too sincere in the way she looks at me. The gentle curve of her lips doesn’t match the hardness of her eyes.

“Take care of yourself, Ava,” she says softly, giving my hands a gentle squeeze before releasing them.

“Thank you.” I’m not really sure how else to respond. She acts so concerned, and yet she’s met me for all of

two minutes.

Ivy turns and crosses the room, plucking a pen from

the small table beside the door. She scribbles

something on the pad of paper there before tearing off the sheet and placing it in my hands.

“That’s my number. In case you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me.”

With that, she’s gone, the door clicking shut quietly

behind her.

14:50

28

Ava: Living Arrangements?!

at the paper with her looping

yourself around that one.

as if it might reveal

out loud;

1. me.

take over the control she has in the

make

of any pack’s internal politics. She’s probably

a soft sound of dissent

random kindness, Ava. It

***

when Clayton strides into the room. his

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Ava: Living Arrangements?!

unreadable as he approaches my bedside, but then he leans down

rumble of his voice sending an involuntary shiver down my

assumed he would treat me like he did when we first met. “Alpha Clayton,”

an intensity that makes

his blunt statement. “I told your sister

still inscrutable.

I can’t quite read. Protectiveness? Irritation?

back

4.8

Living Arrangements?!

“A job, an apartment. I appreciate your

I don’t need charity.”

was an offer to take care of you, to provide for you as is my duty and privilege as your…” He hesitates, then rephrases. “After what transpired between

the reference to the passion of the past week. I shake my head.

apologizing

forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Tell me about this life you’re so eager to return to,” he says at last. “What’s so important that you’d turn down the protection and care of

his prodding, my defenses rising. “Why does it matter?” I challenge. “It’s

“As the alpha who claimed you, even temporarily, it’s

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Ava: Living Arrangements?!

keep

protest that he doesn’t owe me anything,