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

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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.

wasn’t positive I were her child by birth, I would definitely assume

Ava,” she warns me, still yanking and tugging, “Don’t let it go to your head. The title of Luna is not for the likes of you. You’ll be a mate in name only. It’s still an honor, but the pack can

my composure, to keep the

presses, looking into the mirror so I’m forced to meet her gaze. She’s almost manic in her

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Ava: Sister

and you will bear his children. That is

My mind, however, is already spinning, formulating

pack, I’ll contact Lisa. We’ll run far away from

with an elegant bearing and a bright, unsettling gleam in her eyes enters the room. She exudes an aura of authority that sends shivers through

her hair is black without the faintest sheen of color in

mother straightens, a look of respect crossing her features. “Sister Miriam,” she greets the stranger. “What an honor to have

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Ava: Sistor Miriam (1)

lips. They’re pale and thin. “The honor is mine, Grace. Alpha Renard requested my expertise in a delicate matter.” Her inhuman

skin. It’s hard

hackles,

woman is a predator. She’s an existence that’s dangerous even to wolves. I

she is.

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

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

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

my side, meeting my eyes

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Sister Miriam

smile is wide, her teeth too white. It looks unnatural on her face, as though no other muscles move with her mirth.

no need for concern, child,” she says. Her voice is sweet in a way that should be soothing, and yet paired with her

at the touch, something inside me protesting the close contact. It’s like my skin burns. where she touches,

eyes.

to trail her hand down my neck, across my collarbone, down my chest and finally coming to rest on my abdomen. “Tell me, have. you experienced any

Tenderness?”

“No.”

and I flinch. Though her hands are cold, an unwelcome