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

know if I trust her completely,

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 to get Lisa back. It's something that I need to

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Weight

his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch is comforting,

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell Selene

for a moment. You don't

What an

a good man, Ava. She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words anymore, but there's something

he says, his fingers tensing for a moment over my hand. "I need

"Yes?"

looking torn. "I need you to stay away from Sister

"But that's-"

little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together,

to

don't have time to sit here while you look

take on if I can get even one step

not alone, Ava. We are all in this with you.

not asking for permission,

know. His eyes close as he takes a deep

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 these muddy v Selene's cold

and rub her ears.

fight anywhere, but if clothes come off,

bedroom

her saliva, she saunters back to the living room, having made her

glances between us.

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

only then that I realize the effects of the

shouldn't have been able to say that to him. I should have

Ava, A Weight off

the effects

can't talk to me," he says hesitantly, distracting me from that line of thought. "I appreciate you opening up to

that."

reciting lines from a book, but Selene's words

He's trying.

Like I am.

think

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

His hands. cover mine,

at me."

I don't.

side. I never should have pushed you away. I've regretted it for so long. When I looked int "I was already running away," I mutter. "It wasn't just because

you."