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.”

some miracle manages to keep himself from

deep breath to center myself.

13:42

28

Ava: New Shifters.

muscle memory from Jericho’s training kicking in. The block is solid,

done,” she says. “You’ve clearly been practicing. Next time, commit to the movement.

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

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 dedicated

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 nothing about it–but I can feel it now.

3/8

123 Ava: New

else. Like my enhanced healing, and how I woke up from a three–week long

calls for a break, my muscles are burning and my

it’s exciting. Even Lisa, who’s usually dead after a long day of

several of the male shifters watching me with interest. It makes

look away, focusing on Lisa instead as she chatters excitedly about everything we’ve learned. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I

***

was a fucking bait

to Amara’s tutelage, and over

and hanton to the mat

Ava: New

no

ever looked at me with more

Westwood. Instead, she’s meticulous in explaining what

technically, to

energy among the shifters, in their

are jealous, Selene opines,

your trashy TV show

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

drag my head back to

morning.

Av Now

FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

think of me as their alpha’s mate. Their future Luna.

probably because of her Lycan soul; I don’t know how she cares so little about how other people think of me.

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

Still.

to let go of a lifetime of conditioning, where knowing how your pack feels on any given day could save you from