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.

unlocking the door

is stunning. There

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The Apartment

even with the furniture that Clayton has provided, I could

the high ceilings, the modern furnishings, the

into an

despite myself.

me closely. There’s a glint of something like pride in his eyes as he

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

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

sense of independence that

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Ava: The

chin to meet his piercing gaze. “I was doing just fine on my own before-”

you were kidnapped by

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

in my belly. Clayton holds my stare, his eyes glittering with a mixture of challenge and something

primal.

thing in our world, Ava. An omega with immense power

it.”

protest, but Selene’s warning rings in

along for now, at least until

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Ava: The

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

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

change of clothes. I’m wearing some that Clayton had brought over, but I didn’t think he’d

says, as

but I’m not sure if anything is to your taste. Someone did bring some dog

suffocating. I feel like I’m trapped in a gilded cage. How am I supposed to leave when he’s taken care of every need

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Ava: The

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