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.”

sound deep and warm. He turns, leaning back against the counter as he dries his hands on a dish towel. “Sorry, no can do. Alpha’s orders.”

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

15:35 –

Ava: Her New

babysitter,” I say, crossing

over my chest.

“After everything that’s happened, I beg to differ.”

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

knowing it sounds petulant

But let

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

pack…

not really sure where

him.

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

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Ava: Her New Normal

meaningful than that, and

me be as free as I’d like, because despite having won

here.

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

of it.”

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

used to it.

baleful gaze in Kellan’s

direction.

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

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

15

A/T

Her New

All of it.

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

dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “Really?

I mean it about staying put. No exceptions. Especially as Alpha Westwood

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

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