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.

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

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 never have a blemish as its

composure, to keep the bitter resentment from showing on my face.

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

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Ava: Sister Miriam (1)

bear his children. That is the extent of your purpose.”

and mechanical, like a puppet on strings. My mind, however, is already spinning, formulating a plan to escape this waking nightmare.

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

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

glittering red and her hair is black without the faintest

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

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Sistor Miriam

head, a faint smile playing on her lips. They’re pale and thin. “The honor is mine, Grace. Alpha Renard requested my expertise in a delicate matter.” Her inhuman stare settles on

skin. It’s hard

hackles, they’d be

even to wolves. I

she

“Alpha Renard said you would be able

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

as she approaches. “I am the most skilled in detecting the earliest signs of breeding. The alpha can rest assured that I will provide an accurate assessment.”

stops by my side, meeting my eyes again in the

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Ava: Sister Miriam

is wide, her teeth too white. It looks unnatural on

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

the close contact. It’s like my skin burns. where she touches, but when I try to jerk away, she grips my chin hard,

eyes.

murmurs, letting go to trail her hand down my neck, across my collarbone, down my chest and finally coming to rest on my

Tenderness?”

“No.”

Though her hands are