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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***

are toned, what little excess flab I had around my belly is gone, and I breeze through most of Jericho’s workouts with little effort. The self–defense

athletic. That doesn’t mean I’ve magically gained an ability to fight.

would be nice,

13.47

Getting Stronger

presence, and

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

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

and I join a training group of young shifters in the pack, I jump

refusal is

didn’t ask you,” Jericho snaps, turning back

the vehemence in her voice earning her a dark glower from

can speak for you, but I can’t?”

13.42

Ava: Getting Stronger

is pointless; it just goes round and round. Jericho watches me

helpful to train with a variety of people. I would even venture to say that it’s

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

in a

along,” he grunts. “They’re in the training gym.”

with a bunch of junior

excitement. It’s our

the Westwood

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

417

Ava: Getting Stronger

digging into my

be odd, as a born–human, to be

of wolves.

a respectful bow in Jericho’s direction, one hand over her heart. All the

at Jericho in confusion, but he doesn’t acknowledge it, just staring in his signature brooding way across

voice is soft but clear.

again. It’s a title I’ve never heard before. He