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

I trust her completely,

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

12 12

Ava, A Weight off

of his touch

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell

a moment. You don't smell

an odd

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

over my hand. "I need you to promise

"Yes?"

hesitates, looking torn. "I need you

"But that's-"

and I can look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my hand from his. "Lucas, I know you understand that Lisa's in

course I do, sweetheart. And we're going to do everything in our power to get her

to sit here while

take on if I can get even one step

We are all in this with

asking for permission,

takes a deep breath, and Selene pipes

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 these muddy v Selene's cold nose touches my leg, prompting me to

and rub her ears.

on the couch. You two can have this fight anywhere, but

bedroom

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

glances between us. "What's

which is running yet another one of her shows. I've seen

I realize the effects of the

to say that to him. I should have

A Weight

did the

to feel as though you can't talk to me," he says hesitantly, distracting me from that line

that."

he's reciting lines from a book, but Selene's

He's trying.

Like I am.

think

I can't stare at his face while waiting for

Ava, why would you think that?" His hands. cover mine, stopping the fidgeting. "Sweetheart,

at me."

I don't.

But really, really listen to my words. Ava, you're not a freak. Wolf or no wolf, I want you by my side. I

you."