Tangled

49 Ava: Selene’s Secret Vice

Selene’s presence helped me sleep like the dead. Waking in the morning in a room outside of the hospital is nicer than I want to admit to Clayton, after trying to refuse this apartment.

Stretching languidly, I take a moment to bask in the luxury of the king–sized bed, reveling in the silky sheets caressing my skin. A contented sigh escapes my lips as I roll onto my side, only to find myself face–to–face with Selene’s piercing blue gaze.

“Morning,” I murmur, reaching out to scratch behind

her ears.

Morning, pup. Her tail thumps against the mattress in greeting. Sleep well?

“Like a rock.” I glance around the lavish bedroom, my eyes lingering on the plush armchairs positioned near the floor–to–ceiling windows. “It’s going to take some getting used to, living in a place like this.”

You deserve nice things, Ava. Selene nuzzles my hand. Although, I must admit, I miss the simplicity of your old apartment.

15:01

1/8

49 Ava: Selene’s Secret Vice

Is it possible to feel nostalgia after only a week away? Because I do.

“Me too. We won’t be able to go back for a little while, right?”

Selene’s ears flatten against her head. Not until the alpha sends you home.

Pushing aside the melancholy, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stretch again, relishing the freedom of movement. No sore back or hips, and no tense neck after sleeping on near–flat pillows. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

Selene hops off the bed and trots toward the door. Well, you don’t have a job to go to anymore, so I suppose you could be a couch potato for once.

I can’t help but laugh at the mental image. “A couch potato? Really?”

Why not? She glances back at me with a wolfish grin. There’s a new shifter romance show that just started. We could binge–watch it together.

Raising an eyebrow, I follow her out of the bedroom and into the spacious living area. “A shifter romance

shour? Somehow I doubt it’ll be an accurato

15:01

2/8

Solono’s Secret

our lives.”

the plush sofa, making herself comfortable. You’d be surprised.

it’s quite steamy.

cheeks at

want to watch something

everything we’ve been through together, a little on–screen

amusement, I join her on the couch, tucking my feet beneath me. “Alright, alright. Let’s see what all the fuss is

on the remote, the large flatscreen flickers to life, and the opening credits of “Fated Mates” fill the screen. Selene’s tail thumps excitedly against the cushions, and I

her enthusiasm.

what kind of steamy

awaits us.”

wait, Selene promises, her

is going to make you wish you had a Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

478

Selene’s

of your own.

roll my eyes. “I have one. He

is meant for an audience.” a

at my words. A fated mate doesn’t count when they’re too stupid to appreciate what’s right

my lips. Trust Selene to put things so bluntly. “You’re right.”

apartment, causing us both to turn our heads toward the sound. Frowning, I rise from the couch and

to find Ivy standing on the other side, her expression unreadable.

how to greet her, so I just say, “Hello,”

there like

gaze sweeps over me, assessing my appearance with a critical eye, unimpressed by my pajamas. An impatient expression

15:01

Ava: Selene’s Secret Vice

or shall we conduct our

and I hurry to step aside, gesturing for her

a snort from her spot on the couch, drawing Ivy’s attention. Surprise flickers across her face when the husky

back down from her intense

get that dog?” Ivy asks, her eyes

Selene, who meets my gaze with a knowing look. “She’s just a stray who showed up one day. Ran away from her

that.”

cushion, almost as if she’s agreeing with my explanation. Ivy, however, doesn’t seem entirely convinced.

purse as she studies Selene, who simply stares back at her, unfazed. “Well, I suppose that explains her

Calana leta out a low groud her

15:01

5/8

Selene’s

rising. Ivy’s eyes widen, and I quickly step between them, shooting a warning glance at

enough.” I turn to

about that. She can

regards me for a moment, her expression