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

don't know if I trust her

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.

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Ava, A Weight off Her

reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch is comforting, and I peek at his face through

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

I tell Selene

moment.

What an

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

he says, his fingers tensing for a moment over my

"Yes?"

"I need you to stay away from Sister

"But that's-"

this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows

And we're going to do everything in our power to get

sit here while you

to take on if I can get even one step closer

alone, Ava. We are all in this with

asking for permission,

as he takes a deep breath, and Selene

be afraid to speak your mind, Ava. Only communication will get you out of these muddy v Selene's cold

and rub her ears.

on the couch. You two can have this fight anywhere, but if clothes come off, I ask that you do

bedroom

her saliva, she saunters back to the living room,

between us. "What's going

channel-there's a talk show on now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of her shows.

I realize the effects of the food have

that to him. I

Ava, A Weight off

did the

me," he says hesitantly, distracting me from

that."

lines from a book,

He's trying.

Like I am.

do you think I'm a

unbidden, and I can't stare at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead, I pick at the buttons on the

that?" His hands. cover

at me."

I don't.

want you by my side. I never should have pushed you away. I've regretted it

you."