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.”

her praise. Jericho snorts, but by some miracle manages to keep himself from saying

next, taking a deep breath to

13:42

28

Ava: New Shifters.

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

to the movement. You’re hesitant, and hesitation will get you

silence. Maybe I’m not as far

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

any shortcomings. She gets me down more

3/8

123 Ava: New Shifters

how I woke up from a three–week long

burning and my lungs heaving. But beneath the exhaustion is a sense of accomplishment.

Lisa, who’s usually dead after a long

Glancing up, I find several of the male shifters watching me

about everything we’ve learned. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself smiling, the

***

was a fucking

ús to Amara’s tutelage, and

dove wa’ra brutalizad and hanton

Ava: New Shifters

anymore, and I no longer feel pride over my improvement.

at 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

to complain about.

among the shifters, in their

jealous, Selene opines, sounding distracted.

you watching your trashy TV

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

drag my head back to the situation at hand.

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

Now

sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

me

arrogance is probably because of her Lycan soul;

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

Still.

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