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.”

thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

***

My muscles are toned, what little excess flab I had around my belly is gone, and I breeze through most of

mean I’ve magically gained an ability to

would be nice, though.

13.47

Ava: Getting Stronger

training, Kellan’s constant presence, and Lucas coming

and undefined, but the fated bond within me disagrees vociferously. It yearns for him in a way

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

training group of young shifters in the pack, I jump at the suggestion.

refusal is immediate.

you,” Jericho snaps, turning back to me. “Are you

Lisa says, the vehemence in her voice earning her a dark glower from the pack beta.

but I can’t?” He protests in my general

13.42

Getting

between them is pointless; it just goes round and

variety of people. I would even venture to say

I’m going immediately; that glower lightens to a grimace that passes for a smile in the old man. “I’ll speak with the alpha,

struts with triumph to my side, grabbing my arm in a hug. “It’s settled, then. Even your alpha

grunts. “They’re in the

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

with excitement. It’s

the Westwood

with at least twenty young shifters, almost all men,

417

Getting

digging into my skin.

odd, as a born–human, to

bunch of wolves.

female shifters walks up to us with a respectful bow in Jericho’s direction, one hand over her heart. All the others turn and bow after

confusion, but he doesn’t acknowledge it, just staring

but clear. “We are honored

title I’ve never heard before. He doesn’t correct the