Tangled

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153 Ava: A Weight off Her Shoulders

This isn't so bad, right?1 ask Selene, buoyed by the gentle smile on Lucas' face,

At first I thought it was a facade to hide his anger, but he doesn't

once lash out.

Doesn't berate me.

Doesn't yell.

Just nods. Smiles. Listens.

And accepts it all.

Right, Selene says, but she sounds evasive.

So when Lucas hands me a glass of water and nudges me to sit at the table across from him, I do without hesitation.

"Okay," he finally says, leaning over the table to stare into my eyes. "Lay it on me."

He sounds a little like he's bracing himself. I can't blame him. I am,

too.

I take a deep breath. "I'm not a normal shifter."

He nods slowly. "We've established this."

I inhale sharply, searching for the right words. How do I explain something I barely understand myself? The power within me is like the wind; it exists, and occasionally makes itself known, but I can't search for it "I have some kind of magical aptitude," I finally say, meeting Lucas'

153 Ava; A Weight off Her Shoulders

gaze. "But I need training to control it. Without proper guidance, it could be dangerous."

Lucas stares at me, his brow furrowed. The silence stretches

between us, heavy with unspoken questions.

"What do you mean by magical aptitude, Ava?" His voice is steady, but I can sense the underlying concern.

The weight of my own ignorance is crushing, and I can only shrug. "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. All I know is that there's a power inside me, and it's not like anything I've ever known. You saw it, too. The r His eyes narrow as he thinks back. "Your running. We assumed it was some sort of side effect from your dormant wolf."

Motioning toward Selene, I say, "She wasn't dormant. Our bond is different."

I take a deep breath, cautiously optimistic by his measured. responses. "I don't know enough about this, but Sister Miriam knows. She's going to connect me with a teacher so I can learn to control it." Lucas leans back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "And trust this Sister Miriam?"

you

I trust

seems to know more about what's happening to me than anyone else." Light reflects off the water in my glass, and I lower my eyes, turning the cup in circles. "I need to know more about this power. It's putt people around me in danger. I need to protect myself. I need

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Ava, A Weight off Her

across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

good man, I tell

quiet for a moment. You don't

an odd

a good man, Ava. She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words anymore, but there's something there that I can't quite put my finger

moment over my hand. "I

"Yes?"

"I need you to stay away

"But that's-"

look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my hand from his. "Lucas,

And we're going to do everything in our power

sit here while you look into things. I know

if I can get even one step closer

"You're not alone, Ava. We are all in

asking for permission,

close as he takes

see your side. Do not be afraid to speak

and rub her ears.

couch. You two can have this fight

bedroom

in my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters back to the living room, having made her

glances between us.

talk show on now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of her shows. I've seen this one before,

then that I realize the

to say that to him.

Ava, A Weight off

did the

talk to me," he says hesitantly, distracting me from that line of thought. "I appreciate you opening up to me, and I want

that."

lines from a book, but Selene's words

He's trying.

Like I am.

think I'm a

for his

not. Ava, why would you think that?" His hands. cover

at me."

I don't.

Wolf or no wolf, I want you by my side. I never should have pushed you away.

you."