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, no can do. Alpha’s orders.”

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 Normal

a babysitter,” I say,

over my chest.

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

and embarrassment. I know he’s right. I’ve been kidnapped, attacked, and goddess knows what else in the span of a few short months.

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

can, Ava. But let us help, okay? It’s

of tears. Pack. The word feels foreign on my tongue these days. The Blackwood pack was never really

pack…

really sure where I stand

him.

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

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Ava: Her New Normal

that, and he knows it.

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

here.

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

of it.”

not something I can get used to, and I never want to

used to it.

huffs, sliding her baleful gaze

direction.

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

everything. The bond with Lucas, the

15

A/T

Her

All of

resignation, running 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. But you have to promise me you won’t

face brightens instantly, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “Really? You mean it?”

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

barks her approval, her tail thumping against the floor in a steady rhythm. I can feel her excitement thrumming through our bond, a warm pulse of energy that makes me feel lighter

connecting with a