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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***

body has suffered no ill effects. My muscles 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 training

become athletic. That doesn’t mean I’ve

be nice, though.

13.47

Getting

in a haze of training, Kellan’s constant presence, and Lucas coming and going from the

fated bond within me disagrees vociferously. It yearns

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

Jericho suggests that Lisa and I join a training group of young

refusal is

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

her voice earning her a

can’t?” He

13.42

Ava: Getting Stronger

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

to train with a variety of people. I would even venture to say that it’s ultimately for my own

that glower lightens to a grimace that passes for a smile in the old man. “I’ll

to my side, grabbing my arm in a hug. “It’s settled, then. Even your alpha can’t

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

junior shifters doesn’t

I follow with excitement. It’s our first real

to the Westwood

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. Lisa clings to my

417

Getting

digging into

odd, as a born–human, to be surrounded by

bunch of

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 she does,

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

is soft but clear. “We are honored by your presence.”

Jericho again. It’s a title I’ve never heard before. He doesn’t correct the girl,