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 the

and leave.”

deep and warm. He turns, leaning back against the counter as he dries his hands on a dish towel. “Sorry,

my teeth. It’s not that I don’t appreciate Lucas’s concern for my safety. I do. But having Kellan here 24/7 is driving me insane. I can’t even have a private conversation with Lisa or

15:35 –

Ava: Her New

need a babysitter,” I

over my chest.

arches a brow. “After everything that’s happened, I beg to

I’ve been kidnapped, attacked,

knowing it sounds petulant even as the words leave my mouth.

softens. “I know you can, Ava. But let us help, okay?

The Blackwood pack was never really mine, no matter how much

pack…

I’m not really sure where I stand with them.

him.

it’s superficial stuff. Jokes

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Her New Normal

anything more meaningful than that, and he

letting me be as free as I’d like, because despite having won the war of where I live…

here.

hours? Let us have

of it.”

times is not something I can get used to, and I never

used to it.

sliding her baleful gaze

direction.

groan in unison. The sound is loud and long, dripping with all the frustration that’s been building up inside me for days now.

with Lucas, the fact that my father

15

A/T

Her New Normal

All of it.

it. You two need some space. Some time to yourselves.” He pauses, his brow furrowing as he seems to wage some internal battle. Finally, he nods, as if coming to a decision. “I can give you tomorrow afternoon. But you have to promise me you won’t

sparkling with

his mouth. “Really. But I mean it about staying put. No exceptions. Especially as Alpha Westwood

excitement thrumming through our bond, a warm pulse

palms connecting with a satisfying