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.

warm weight against the small of

wariness.

home,” he says, unlocking the door

is stunning. There are huge windows

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Ava: The Apartment

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

a slow circle, taking in the high

an alcove.

despite myself. “It’s…”

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

surge of discomfort at the thought of him making such personal arrangements for me. “It’s very nice,” I manage. “But really, it’s too much. I’m happy to find a place

overwhelming. “We’ve been over this. For now, you need to

words, that simmering sense of independence that has kept me going all

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The Apartment

chin to meet his piercing gaze. “I was doing

were kidnapped by rogue

you went into a heat so potent that even an alpha as disciplined as myself was rendered powerless against it?”

in my belly. Clayton holds my stare, his eyes

primal.

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

it.”

to protest, but Selene’s warning rings in my

for now, at least until

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Ava: The Apartment

I’ll stay here for now.” The words feel like shards of glass in my mouth.

My apartment is across the hall, so I won’t be far. There are clothes in the bedroom; I had my

I hadn’t even thought about a change of clothes. I’m wearing some that Clayton had brought over,

as if that’s

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

thin thread 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

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Ava: The

tomorrow if you’d like,” he offers, misreading the source of my turmoil. “Though… has someone been