Tangled

117 Ava: Her New Normal

Living in Westwood becomes routine again quickly.

Training with Jericho starts again only two days after my return, and the grizzled old shifter doesn’t say a word about my long absence.

Lucas and I text every night, but I refuse to call him. The sound of his voice is going to make me regret things.

And Selene settles into our daily life as though she

were never gone.

The only downside?

Kellan.

I have yet to speak to Selene or Lisa about anything important, because the beta is always around. He sleeps on the couch every night, no matter how many protests Lisa and I hurl his way.

Even Lucas is on board with it. I thought utilizing his possessiveness would go my way; it didn’t.

He just said Kellan would be the one wolf he could trust to keep me safe.

15:35 C

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117 Ava: Her New Normal

Lisa’s worse off than I am; she spends a good chunk of her day glowering at the friendly beta.

I watch Kellan as he washes the dishes, his broad

shoulders filling out his t–shirt in a way that would be appealing if I wasn’t so annoyed by his constant

presence. Lisa mutters beside me, “It isn’t fair that my apartment’s been taken over.”

I sigh, the sound heavy with frustration. Selene huffs little woof of agreement from her spot on the floor.

“You know I can hear you two, right?” Kellan says without turning around, his voice tinged with

amusement.

Maybe you’ll take

and leave.”

chuckles, the sound deep and warm. He turns, leaning back against the counter as he dries his hands

concern for my safety. I do. But having Kellan here 24/7 is driving me insane. I can’t even have

15:35 –

Ava: Her

I

over my chest.

everything that’s happened, I

at that, my cheeks heating with a mix of anger and embarrassment. I know he’s right. I’ve been kidnapped, attacked, and goddess knows what else in the span of

myself,” I mutter, knowing it sounds petulant even as the words leave my mouth.

know you can, Ava. But let us

days. The Blackwood pack was never really mine, no

pack…

sure where I stand with them. With

him.

and I have been texting, but it’s superficial stuff. Jokes and memes,

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Ava: Her

avoiding anything more meaningful than that, and he knows it. He’s

I’d like, because despite having won the war of where I live… Kellan’s

here.

just leave for a few hours? Let us have our space? I can’t breathe without one of

of it.”

at all times is not something I can get used to,

used to it.

baleful gaze

direction.

loud and long, dripping with all the frustration that’s been building up inside me for days

that’s certainly part of it. It’s everything. The bond with Lucas, the fact that my father

15

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Ava Her

of it.

it. You two need some space. Some time to yourselves.” He pauses, his brow furrowing as he seems to wage some internal

dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “Really? You mean it?”

it about staying put. No exceptions. Especially as Alpha Westwood is gone again.” He’s back in the Blackwood territory, dealing

steady rhythm. I can feel her excitement thrumming through our bond, a warm pulse of energy that makes me feel lighter than

connecting with a satisfying