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.

“Good. Maybe you’ll take

and leave.”

the counter as he dries his hands on a

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

15:35 –

Her New Normal

need a babysitter,” I say, crossing my

over my chest.

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

he’s right. I’ve been kidnapped, attacked, and goddess knows what else in the span of

I mutter, knowing it sounds petulant even as the words

Ava. But let

sudden sting of tears. Pack. The word feels foreign on my tongue these days. The Blackwood pack was never really mine, no

pack…

where I

him.

texting, but it’s superficial stuff. Jokes and

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Her New Normal

anything more meaningful than that, and

as free as I’d like, because despite having won the war

here.

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

of it.”

around at all times is not something

used to it.

her baleful gaze

direction.

shakes his head, and both Lisa and I groan in unison. The sound is loud and long, dripping with all

with Lucas, the fact that my father and Alpha Renard still haven’t been found, the questions I have about

15

A/T

Ava Her New

All of

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

eyes sparkling with excitement. “Really? You

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

can feel her excitement thrumming through our bond, a warm pulse of energy

our palms connecting with a satisfying smack. We did it,