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.

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

wariness.

the door

apartment is stunning. There are huge windows

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The

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

in the

an

despite

a glint of something like pride in his eyes as he surveys my

for me. “It’s

Clayton steps closer, his height and physical presence suddenly overwhelming. “We’ve been over

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

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Ava: The Apartment

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

you were kidnapped by rogue shifters?”

tone laced with a sharp edge. “Before you went into a heat so potent that even an alpha as disciplined as myself was rendered

the memory, heat unfurling low in my belly. Clayton holds my stare, his eyes glittering

primal.

continues in a low rumble. “But the truth is, you’re a rare thing in our world, Ava.

it.”

protest, but Selene’s warning rings in

for now, at least until we

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Ava: The

to nod. “Fine. I’ll stay here for now.” The words feel like

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

some that Clayton had brought

nothing,” he says, as

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

trapped in a gilded cage. How am I

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Ava: The Apartment

distress because his expression softens into one of concern. “We can pick up your dog tomorrow if you’d like,” he offers,