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

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

13:42

28

New Shifters.

muscle memory from Jericho’s training kicking in. The block is solid, my stance steady. Amara’s

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

surges through me as I glance toward Jericho, who watches me in continued silence. Maybe I’m not as far behind as I feared? Maybe I can hold my own here after all.

and critiquing our form. It’s challenging, sweat dripping down my back as I push myself harder, striving to perfect each

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 nothing about it–but I can feel it

3/8

123 Ava: New Shifters

beyond training, but something else. Like my enhanced healing, and how

my muscles are burning and my lungs

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

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

everything we’ve learned. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I find

***

first day was a fucking bait and

to Amara’s

five dove wa’ra brutalizad and hanton to

New

and I no longer feel pride

at me with more than mild

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

technically, to complain

the shifters,

jealous, Selene opines,

you watching your trashy TV show again?

can sense her tail swishing despite our distance. It is very entertaining.

head back to the situation at

a younger male with a cocky swagger, is my opponent this morning. He’s one of the many who watch me from the sidelines, judging every move I make.

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of me as their alpha’s

is probably because of her Lycan soul; I

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

Still.

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