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,

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.

12 12

Weight off Her

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

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

a good man, I tell Selene

moment. You

What an odd

then. Yes, he's a good man, Ava. She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words anymore,

his fingers tensing for a moment over

"Yes?"

"I need you to stay away

"But that's-"

look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing

And we're going to

time to sit here while you look

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

We are all in this with you. But I can't

asking for

His eyes close as he takes a deep breath, and

he is still trying to see your side. Do not be afraid

and rub her ears.

can have this fight anywhere,

bedroom

lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters back to the living

us. "What's

second favorite, which is running yet another one of her shows. I've seen this

realize the effects

to say that to him. I should have blabbed

Weight off Her

the effects

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

that."

from a book, but Selene's

He's trying.

Like I am.

think I'm a

at his face while waiting for

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

at me."

I don't.

a freak. Wolf or no wolf, I want you by my side. I never should have pushed you away. I've regretted it

you."