Tangled

153

153

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

if I

and I lower my eyes, turning the cup in circles. "I need to know more about this power. It's putt people

12 12

Weight off Her

The warmth of his touch is comforting,

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

a good man, I tell Selene in

quiet for a moment. You don't

What an

then. Yes, he's 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

over my hand. "I need you to

"Yes?"

need you

"But that's-"

can look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull

going to do everything in our

while

but it's a risk I'm willing to take on if

in this with you. But I can't

not asking for permission,

know. His eyes close as he takes a deep breath, and Selene pipes up

scent of his anger has filled this room since you first started talking, and yet he is still trying to see your side. Do not be afraid to speak your mind, Ava. Only communication will get you out of

and rub her ears.

You two can have this fight anywhere, but

bedroom

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

us. "What's

I switch the channel-there's a talk show on now-to her second favorite, which is running yet

realize the effects of the

to him. I

A Weight off

the

you can't talk to me," he says hesitantly, distracting me

that."

sounds like he's reciting lines from a book, but

He's trying.

Like I am.

think

waiting for his answer. Instead, I pick at the buttons on the remote Selene left

would you think that?" His

at me."

I don't.

wolf, I want you by my side. I never should have pushed you away. I've regretted it for so long. When I

you."