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.

home,” he says, unlocking the door

apartment is stunning. There are huge windows

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The

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

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

an

I murmur despite

of something like pride in his eyes as

such personal arrangements for me. “It’s very nice,” I manage. “But really, it’s too much. I’m happy to find a place on

and physical presence suddenly overwhelming. “We’ve been over this. For now, you need to remain under my protection.

that simmering sense of independence that has kept me

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The

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

were kidnapped by

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

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

primal.

think you have everything under control,” he continues in a low rumble. “But the truth is, you’re a rare thing in our world, Ava. An omega with immense power that you don’t fully understand yet. You need

it.”

but Selene’s

along for now, at least until we can find a way out of

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Ava: The

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

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

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

he says, as if that’s all

not sure if anything

weight of this kindness is suffocating. I feel like I’m trapped in a gilded cage. How am I supposed to leave when he’s

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Ava: The

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