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.”

but by some miracle manages to

taking a deep breath to center myself. Amara nods at me to

13:42

28

Ava: New Shifters.

in. The block is solid, my stance steady. Amara’s eyebrows

Next time, commit to the movement. You’re hesitant, and hesitation will get you killed.”

toward Jericho, who watches me in continued silence. Maybe I’m not as

showing us new 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, and despite her initial reticence, Amara proves herself to be a

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 more often than not, but I can tell a difference in our strength. Jericho has said

3/8

123 Ava: New

healing, and how I woke up from a three–week long

and my lungs heaving. But beneath the exhaustion is

definite progress, and it’s exciting. Even Lisa, who’s usually dead after a

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 to squirm, their gazes a little too

about everything we’ve learned. Her enthusiasm is

***

first day was a fucking bait and

ús to Amara’s tutelage, and

wa’ra brutalizad and hanton to the

New Shifters

isn’t smiling anymore, and I no longer

me with more

trying to bully me out of Westwood. Instead, she’s meticulous in explaining what she’s teaching me and what I’m doing wrong.

to complain

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

Selene

trashy TV show

tail swishing despite our distance. It is very entertaining. Humans know how to tell a story, even if their

shouts, and I drag my head back to the situation at

with a cocky swagger, is my opponent this morning. He’s one of the

Now

to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

they think of me

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

is inconsequential. If they have something to say, they can do it through a challenge. None of

Still.

how your pack feels on any given day could save you