Tangled

122 Ava: Getting Stronger

“Don’t push yourself too hard.” o

Lucas‘ voice is deeper through the phone, giving our hushed conversation in my bedroom a more sordid feeling than would be expected, given the fact that we haven’t talked about anything remotely intimate.

That fated–mate tingle settles into my nether regions as he speaks. Lisa’s asleep, and Kellan is, too, taking over the couch in the living room like he does every night.

“I’m not.” Trying not to wake the others, I speak in a soft murmur.

“I miss you.” He sounds frustrated. Tired.

Kellan said he’s been trying to track down my family. I hope he finds them soon; I just want everything to be over. Having guards everywhere I go is awful.

I have yet to meet anyone new. No friends. Not even acquaintances. I don’t even get to buy things at the store, because someone is always sent to buy what I ask for.

13:41

122 Ava: Getting Stronger

It’s suffocating.

“Have you made any progress?”

“Mmm.” His noncommital sound gives little hope. “I will find them, Ava. You will be safe.”

“I know.”

“Get some sleep. It’s late.”

“I will.” A yawn catches me by surprise, my jaw cracking with the force of it.

“Good night, Ava.”

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***

stay, my body has suffered no ill effects. My muscles are toned, what little excess flab I had around my belly is gone,

athletic. That doesn’t mean I’ve

would be

13.47

Getting Stronger

of training, Kellan’s constant presence, and Lucas coming

undefined, but the fated bond within me disagrees vociferously. It yearns for him in a way that hurts almost more than his rejection.

though she’s avoided open hostility. It’s an improvement. I can understand, though. She, too, is frustrated by this feeling of living in a gilded

join a training group of young shifters in the

refusal is immediate.

turning back to me. “Are you interested, girl?”

Lisa says, the vehemence in her voice earning her a dark glower

can speak for you, but I can’t?” He protests in my general

13.42

Getting

wants to say, and you’re not.” Getting between them is pointless; it just goes round and round. Jericho watches me with expectation in

with a variety of people. I would even

immediately; that glower lightens to a grimace that passes for a smile in the old man.

triumph to my side, grabbing my arm in a hug.

“They’re in the

a sweaty gymnasium with a bunch of junior shifters doesn’t sound like

with excitement. It’s

the

it as the place we train during rainy days. It’s filled with at least twenty young shifters, almost all men, all sparring on

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Getting Stronger

digging into my

a born–human, to

bunch of wolves.

bow in Jericho’s direction, one hand over her heart. All the others turn and

Jericho in confusion, but he doesn’t acknowledge it, just staring in his signature

woman’s voice is soft but

as I glance at Jericho again. It’s a title