Tangled

119 Ava: Her Power

I wish I could share Lisa’s optimism, but the weight of this newfound knowledge settles heavily on my

shoulders. If what Selene says is true, then I’m not just different from other shifters. I’m different from

everyone.

There’s something else you should know, Selene says, her voice taking on a somber note. Your connection to the elements is like a beacon. Other sensitive beings might be able to sense it, to feel the power that lies dormant within you.

My heart sinks at her words. “What does that mean for

me?”

It means that you’ll be in danger if you leave the safety of the Westwood pack lands, Selene replies, her tone grave. There are those who would seek to exploit your power for their own gain, or worse, to eliminate you as a threat. Though most shifters lack any true memory of our time as Great Wolves, as Lycans, the instinct is still there… if they’re strong enough.

I slump back against the couch, my shoulders.

119 Ava Hor Power

drooping under the weight of this revelation. It’s not enough that I’m an outsider among my own kind, or that I’m caught between two powerful alphas—though Clayton has been absurdly kind about giving me the distance I need. Now, I have to worry about being

hunted down by god knows who, all because of some mystical connection to the elements that I never asked

for.

“I can’t even leave?” I whisper, my voice small and broken. “I’m trapped here, like some kind of prisoner?”

Perhaps for now, for your own protection, Selene says, nuzzling her head against my leg in a gesture of

comfort. Until you learn to control your powers, until you can defend yourself, it’s the only way to keep you

safe.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, hot and stinging. I blink them back, refusing to let them fall.

I’ll become stronger yet. I’m not going to cry over

supposed to do?” I ask, my voice hoarse with emotion. “Just sit here and wait

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29

Ava: Her

not alone in this, Ava. You have me, and you have Lisa. We’ll find a way to help you, to keep you

live my life without constantly looking over my shoulder, without wondering if the next

kill me.”

like a whining

know, sweetie. But

a small comfort,

determination. I promise you,

powers.

You’d mentioned feeling as

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Ava Hor

do you mean by that?” Lisa asks when I

once more.

thoughts. “It was… intense,” I begin, my voice barely above

“I was burned alive, drowned, buried, and suffocated. Each time, it felt so real. The pain, the fear… it was like I

says, her voice echoing in my mind. Your consciousness was trapped in the place between worlds, where Lycan souls

her expression shifts from shock to

is a realm beyond the physical world, Selene explains, her voice taking on a reverent tone. A place where the souls of our kind go when they are not bound to a physical form. It is a place of great power, but also

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Her Power

Selene’s words settling heavily on my shoulders. “So, I

Selene confirms, her voice tinged with sadness. Your soul was lost, trapped between life and death. I could sense your presence there, could

she was. Who else would be in my head? “The one telling me to

back.”

and soothing. I couldn’t bear to see you suffer, to watch as your soul was torn apart by

the corners of my eyes, hot and stinging. I blink them back, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Thank you, Selene.

assures me, her voice filled with a quiet conviction. Stronger than you know. You would have found

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Ava: Her

help.

It’s a small comfort, knowing that I have someone