Tangled

123 Ava: New Shifters

Lisa and I share a look before following Amara further into the gym. I can feel the eyes of the other shifters tracking our every move. Unease has my heart beating in rapid rhythm, like a frantic chicken flapping its wings. All the excitement I’d felt at meeting new people is now buried beneath the worries dashing through my mind.

Do they hate me?

Is their disapproval because I’m a Blackwood wolf?

Do they know I can’t shift?

Have there been complaints about me?

What have they been saying?

But, of course, I don’t have the answers, so I follow. behind with my mouth shut.

It will be fine, Selene assures me, but she’s very unconcerned about the thoughts of humans or shifters. In fact, I’m not sure she cares about anyone other than me. She isn’t even fond of our fated mate.

Selene snorts. Fated doesn’t mean inevitable.

13:42

123 Ava: New Shifters:

her

Once we reach the mats, Amara turns to face us, stance relaxed but ready. It’s hard not to focus on the lean muscles defined in her arms. I’d thought I was making improvement with my training, but compared to her? I look like a newborn baby, soft and squishy.

“Let’s start with some basic defensive moves and see

where you’re at.”

Amara launches into an explanation of a simple block and counter, demonstrating the moves with fluid grace. I focus on her words, trying to commit the steps.

to memory.

Then it’s our turn to try. Lisa goes first, her face set in concentration as she attempts to mirror Amara’s movements. It’s a little clumsy, but she executes the block successfully.

“Good,” Amara praises. “Remember to keep your weight centered and your arm firm.”

nods, blossoming beneath her praise. Jericho snorts, but by some miracle manages to

to center myself. Amara nods at

13:42

28

Ava: New Shifters.

from Jericho’s training kicking in. The block is solid, my stance steady. Amara’s eyebrows raise slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across

“You’ve clearly been practicing. Next time, commit to

in continued silence. Maybe I’m not as far behind as I feared? Maybe

moves and critiquing our form. It’s challenging, sweat dripping down my back as I push myself harder, striving to perfect each technique. I have to repeat. them multiple times,

facing off against each other, putting our new skills to the test. Lisa is a quick learner, her determination making up for any shortcomings. She gets me down

3/8

Ava: 123 Ava:

else. Like my enhanced healing, and how I woke up from a three–week long coma no longer needing glasses to

time Amara calls for a break, my muscles are burning and my lungs heaving. But beneath the

and it’s exciting. Even Lisa, who’s usually dead after a long day of training, bounces with more energy than usual.

gulp down water, a prickle of awareness runs along my spine. Glancing up, I find several of the male shifters watching me with interest. It makes me want

away, focusing on Lisa instead as she chatters excitedly about everything we’ve learned. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself smiling, the unease

***

a fucking bait

to Amara’s tutelage, and over the

brutalizad and hanton to the

New

smiling anymore, and I no longer feel pride

me

of Westwood. Instead, she’s meticulous in explaining what she’s teaching me and what I’m

nothing, technically, to complain

something, a subtle energy among the shifters, in their eyes and the way they

are jealous, Selene opines, sounding distracted.

watching your trashy TV show again?

despite our distance. It is very entertaining. Humans know how to tell a

drag my head back to the

this morning. He’s one of the many who

Av Now

lacking. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

they think of me

probably because of her Lycan soul; I don’t know how she cares so little about

is inconsequential. If they have something to say, they can do it

Still.

feels on any given day could