Tangled

69 Ava: Sister Miriam (I)

Mom’s fingers deftly twist and turn my hair, pinning it into some sort of elaborate style. Her touch is clinical, devoid of any maternal warmth, as she secures each lock into place with sharp tugs.

She’s been doing this for hours, trying to figure out the best style for the mating ceremony. The only comfort I have is in knowing she’ll never have the chance to dress me as planned.

“Honestly, Ava, couldn’t you have made more of an effort with your appearance?” she chides, as

disapproving as always. “Your hair is little better than a

rat’s nest.”

This is something she’s said at least three other times in the hour she’s been here. I bite back the retort that hovers on my tongue, knowing better than to provoke

her ire.

A musical jingle causes her to pause, and she checks something on her phone for a second, before returning to her project. “It’s a good thing your worth isn’t tied to your looks,” she continues, her words

12:40

1/7

<

69 Ava: Sister Miriam (1)

cutting deeper than any physical blow. “You should be

grateful that Alpha Renard has deigned to mate with you, despite your deficiencies.”

There’s a little chip in the paint of the wall above the mirror, and my eyes are drawn toward it. It’s

something to focus on as I tune out her nagging and cruel remarks. For a woman who’s capable of so much love toward her older children, it’s amazing how much

vitriol she can throw at another.

I were her child by birth, I would definitely assume

your head. The title of Luna is not for the likes of you. You’ll be a

to maintain my composure, to keep the bitter resentment from showing on

she presses, looking into the mirror so I’m forced to meet her gaze. She’s almost manic in her quest for my acquaintance. “This

12.46

C

Ava: Sister Miriam

will bear his children.

puppet on strings. My mind, however, is already spinning,

the freedom to return to the Aspen pack, I’ll contact Lisa. We’ll run far away from the suffocating confines

and a bright, unsettling gleam in her eyes enters the room. She

Her eyes are a dark, glittering red and her hair is black without the faintest sheen of color in its highlights, adding

crossing her features. “Sister Miriam,” she greets the stranger. “What an honor to have you

12:48

307

Ava: Sistor Miriam

inclines her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. They’re pale and thin. “The honor is mine, Grace. Alpha Renard

of unease over my skin. It’s

had hackles, they’d be

a predator. She’s an existence that’s dangerous even to wolves. I can feel

what she is.

her cultured voice a little tense. She’s affected, too. “Alpha Renard said you would be

suddenly unable to meet Sister Miriam’s probing stare. I don’t know what she can do that a pregnancy test can’t this early on, and

Sister Miriam murmurs, her footsteps soft as she approaches. “I am the most skilled in detecting the earliest signs of breeding. The alpha can rest assured

meeting my eyes again in

12

Ava: Sister Miriam

It looks unnatural on her face, as though no

in a way that should be soothing,

she turns to look at me. I shiver at the touch, something inside me protesting the close contact. It’s like my skin burns. where she touches, but

eyes.

across my collarbone, down my chest and finally coming to rest on my abdomen.

Tenderness?”

“No.”

hand presses firmly against my stomach, and I flinch. Though her hands are cold, an unwelcome heat eats