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

wariness.

unlocking the door and

is stunning. There

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Ava: The

natural light, and even with the furniture that Clayton has provided, I could

the high ceilings,

into an

murmur despite

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

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

physical presence suddenly overwhelming. “We’ve been over this. For now, you need to

independence that has kept me going

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Ava: The Apartment

need your protection,” I argue, lifting my chin to meet his piercing

were kidnapped

cuts me off, his tone laced with a sharp edge. “Before you went into a heat so potent that even an alpha as disciplined

hotly at the memory, heat unfurling low in my belly. Clayton holds my stare, his eyes glittering with a mixture of challenge and something darker, more

primal.

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

it.”

protest, but Selene’s

Ava. Play along for now, at least until we can find a way out of this mess.

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Ava: The

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

inclines his head in acceptance. “Good. Get settled in. My apartment is across the hall, so I won’t be

I hadn’t even thought about a change of clothes. I’m wearing some that Clayton had brought

as if that’s all the

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

feel like I’m trapped in a gilded cage. How

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The

dog tomorrow if you’d like,” he offers, misreading the source of my turmoil. “Though…