Tangled

47 Ava: The Apartment

47 Ava: The Apartment

The apartment Clayton talked about is in the middle of the city, in a high–rise that towers above every other building in the area. It reeks of money.

I follow Clayton through the opulent lobby, cringing as my sneakers squeak against the polished marble floor. I don’t belong here, in this sleek, luxury–through–minimalism space.

Two large men in crisp suits stand by the entrance, their eyes following our every move.

“Guards?” I murmur to Clayton, trying to keep my voice casual despite the unease prickling up my spine.

He nods once, ushering me towards the elevators. “For the human residents, yes. We aim to avoid any

incidents between humans and shifters.”

My eyebrows lift at that, and I risk a sidelong glance at him as we step into the empty elevator car. “Incidents happen often around here?”

Clayton’s expression darkens momentarily as he hits the button for the top floor. “Not often,” he allows.

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47 Ava: The Apartment

“But no pack is immune. There are always hotheads who lack control, rogues who seek chaos. We have to take precautions.”

I absorb that silently, my mind whirling. It was not infrequent to hear my father complaining about young idiots who wandered into the human territory and harmed or killed humans. The Blackwood Pack didn’t

treat humans well. It’s different here.

I’ve seen the differences firsthand, but I still didn’t

expect humans and shifters to live in the same building.

The top floor is exclusive. You can see it at first glance; there are only two doors, despite the long hallway. There should be plenty of room for other apartments, yet there aren’t any.

on the left, his hand a warm weight against the small

wariness.

unlocking the door and

There are

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Ava: The

the back of the apartment. It has an open floor plan, bringing in all the natural light, and even with the furniture that Clayton

taking in the high

an alcove.

I murmur despite myself.

in his eyes as he surveys my reaction. “I had

him making such personal arrangements for me. “It’s very nice,” I manage. “But

height and physical presence suddenly overwhelming. “We’ve been over this.

independence that has kept me going all these years

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Ava: The Apartment

chin to meet his piercing gaze.

kidnapped by rogue shifters?”

into a heat so potent that

holds my stare, his eyes glittering with a mixture of challenge and something darker, more

primal.

our world, Ava. An omega with immense power that you don’t fully understand yet. You need

it.”

but Selene’s warning rings in

least until we can find a way out of

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The

force myself to nod. “Fine. I’ll stay here for now.” The words feel like shards of glass

in Clayton’s jaw, but he inclines his head in acceptance. “Good. Get settled in. My apartment is across the hall, so I won’t be far. There are clothes in the bedroom; I had my secretary shop for them. Of course, we can go shopping if they aren’t in

shopping?” I hadn’t even thought about a change of clothes. I’m wearing some that Clayton had brought

he says, as if that’s all the

also stocked, but I’m not sure if anything is to your taste. Someone

of panic wiggling in my chest. The weight of this kindness is suffocating. I feel like I’m trapped in a gilded cage. How am I supposed to leave when he’s taken

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into one of concern. “We can pick up your dog tomorrow if you’d like,”