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 my back. I tense at

wariness.

sweet home,” he says, unlocking the door and waving me in.

There

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all the natural light, and even with the furniture

turn in a slow circle, taking in the high ceilings, the modern furnishings, the

an

I murmur despite

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

presence suddenly overwhelming. “We’ve been over

simmering sense of independence that has kept me going all these

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Ava: The Apartment

lifting my chin to meet

you were kidnapped

a heat so potent that even an alpha

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

primal.

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

it.”

to protest, but Selene’s warning rings in my mind.

least until we can find a way out of

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Ava: The Apartment

for now.” The words feel like shards of glass

My apartment is across the hall, so I won’t be far. There are clothes in the bedroom; I had my secretary shop for them. Of course, we

clothes. I’m wearing some that Clayton had brought over, but

as if that’s

fridge is also stocked, but I’m not sure if anything is to your taste. Someone did bring some dog food and bowls…”

of this kindness is suffocating. I feel like I’m trapped in

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if you’d like,” he offers,