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.

the door on the left, his hand a warm weight against the small of my back. I tense at his touch,

wariness.

sweet home,” he says, unlocking the door and waving

stunning. There are

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The Apartment

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

the high ceilings, the modern

into an alcove.

despite myself.

in his eyes as he surveys my reaction. “I had it outfitted with everything

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

been over this. For now, you need to remain

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

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The Apartment

chin to meet his piercing gaze. “I was doing just fine on my

you were kidnapped

edge. “Before you went into a heat so potent that even an

my stare, his eyes glittering with a mixture of challenge

primal.

thing in our world,

it.”

but Selene’s warning

along for now, at least until we

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Ava: The Apartment

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

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

wearing some that Clayton had brought over, but

as

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

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

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