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.

child by birth, I would definitely assume I’m adopted.

“Don’t let it go to your head. The title of Luna is not for the likes of you.

maintain my composure, to keep the bitter resentment from showing

the mirror so I’m forced to meet her gaze. She’s almost manic in her quest for my acquaintance. “This is your duty, your obligation to the pack. You will

12.46

C

Ava: Sister Miriam (1)

you will bear his children. That is

a puppet on strings. My mind, however, is already spinning, formulating a plan to escape

me the freedom to return to the Aspen pack, I’ll contact Lisa. We’ll

unsettling gleam in her eyes enters the room.

red and her hair is black without the faintest sheen of color in its highlights, adding to the otherworldly presence she

she greets

12:48

307

Sistor Miriam (1)

her lips. They’re pale and thin. “The honor is mine, Grace. Alpha Renard requested my expertise

skin. It’s hard to hold her

had hackles, they’d be

predator. She’s an existence that’s dangerous even to wolves.

she

“Alpha Renard said you

and I avert my gaze, suddenly unable to meet Sister Miriam’s probing stare. I don’t know what

she approaches. “I am the most skilled in detecting the earliest signs of breeding. The

my side, meeting my

12

Sister

teeth too white. It looks unnatural on her face, as though no other muscles move

way that should be soothing, and yet paired with her face, it’s

touch, something inside me protesting the close contact. It’s like my skin

eyes.

down my chest and finally coming

Tenderness?”

“No.”

against my stomach, and I flinch. Though her hands are cold, an