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

1/7

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

and leave.”

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

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 –

Ava: Her

a babysitter,” I

over my chest.

that’s happened, I beg

that, my cheeks heating with a mix of anger and embarrassment. I know he’s right. I’ve

knowing it sounds

“I know you can, Ava. But let

look away, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. Pack. The word feels foreign on my tongue these days. The Blackwood pack

pack…

where I

him.

texting, but it’s superficial stuff. Jokes and memes, a quick question about our day.

3/7

Ava: Her New Normal

and he

be as free as I’d like, because despite

here.

bodyguards outside. Can’t you just leave for a few hours? Let us have our space? I can’t breathe without

of it.”

Having guards around at all times is not something I can get used to, and I never want to get

used to it.

huffs, sliding her baleful

direction.

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

though that’s certainly part of it. It’s everything. The bond with Lucas, the fact that my father and Alpha Renard still haven’t been found, the questions

15

A/T

Her New Normal

of it.

a hand through his hair until it sticks up in unruly spikes. “Look, I get 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.

her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “Really? You

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

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

a high–five with Lisa, our palms connecting with a satisfying smack. We did it,