Tangled

50 Ava: The Grey Girl

“Good morning,” Clayton says with a smile, and I step back to let him into the apartment. He pauses for just a moment when he sees Selene, and I wait for the questions–but he doesn’t ask any.

He’s polite like that.

Honestly, outside of my paranoia and not wanting to rely on him, he seems like a pretty great guy.

Clayton strides into the kitchen like he owns it–which, I mean, he does–while I stand around feeling awkward and out of place in this fancy apartment. He seems so at home here, like he belongs.

“Everything okay with the phone?” he calls out from the kitchen. “You didn’t text me this morning.”

“Oh, uh, no issues,” I reply, glancing down at the sleek new device on the end table. “I just woke up a little while ago and haven’t set it up yet.” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

There’s a brief pause, and then the sound of a pot clattering onto the stove. “Have you eaten?”

I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “No,

15:01 =

1/8

50 Ava: The Grey Girl

not yet.”

“Well, go relax then. I’ll whip up some breakfast.”

Before I can protest, he emerges from the kitchen, those intense green eyes fixing me with a look that brooks no argument. Grasping my shoulders, he turns me towards the plush couch and gives me a gentle nudge in that direction.

“Go on, I’ve got this.”

I open my mouth to argue, but one glance at his resolute expression has me snapping it shut again. Instead, I just nod and make my way over to the couch, sinking into the soft cushions with a sigh.

Selene, ever my loyal companion, leans against me as she focuses on her show, resting her head on my lap. I absently run my fingers through her soft fur, trying to ignore the sounds of Clayton puttering around in the kitchen.

1

care of me. I’m so used to being the one doing all the work, all the cooking

But at the

Ava: The Grey Girl

to have someone else shoulder that burden for a change. To be taken care of, instead of being the one doing all

an alpha who thinks

to get too comfortable here, too used to having Clayton around. This isn’t permanent, no matter how much he might want it

of bacon on a hot pan has my ears perking up–Selene’s, too–and the smell reaches my nose a few

let him take care of me for just a little while longer.

a little comfortable, right? Since I can’t leave, anyway?

***

Clayton is comfortable.

me. No more kisses on the forehead. He’s just there, polite and

15:01 ‘

38

Ava: The Grey Girl

I’m taken care

because she’s zoned into her show instead of watching his every move. Of course, she doesn’t have anything against Clayton in

like the snide remarks she throws in about

think about him, I focus on my cup

of o

a

lot of flavor to mask

me back to the couch to enjoy myself just as his phone rings. I try to settle into my role

I sip at it, letting the sugary

my

15.01

Ava: The

with the mindless

Blackwood is

clutch my mug a little tighter, the warmth

demands,

sinks as the implications

sink in.

Is a war coming

seems to be at the center of it

to catch it before the scalding liquid spills all over my lap. My breath catches in my throat as I process those

girl. Me?