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.

down the corridor to the door on the left, his hand a warm weight against the small of my back. I tense

wariness.

sweet home,” he says, unlocking the door and waving me in.

There are huge

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Ava: The

the natural light, and even with the furniture that Clayton has provided, I could easily go bowling in the

taking in the high ceilings, the modern furnishings, the state–of–the–art

into an alcove.

despite myself.

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

making such personal arrangements for me. “It’s very nice,” I manage. “But really, it’s too much.

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

that simmering sense of independence that has kept me going all these years

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don’t need your protection,” I argue, lifting my chin to meet his piercing gaze. “I was doing just fine on

you were kidnapped by

a sharp edge. “Before you went into a heat

the memory, heat unfurling low in my belly. Clayton holds my stare, his eyes glittering with a mixture of challenge and something darker,

primal.

world, Ava. An omega with immense power that you don’t fully

it.”

to protest, but Selene’s warning

him, Ava. Play along for now, at least until

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

the hall, so I won’t be far. There are clothes in the bedroom;

I’m wearing some

as if that’s all the

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

like I’m trapped

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you’d like,” he offers, misreading the source of