Tangled

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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 trust

know more 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

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A Weight off

across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch is

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell

moment. You

What an odd

choking over the words anymore, but there's something there that I can't quite put

fingers tensing for a moment over

"Yes?"

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

"But that's-"

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

course I do, sweetheart. And we're going to do everything in

sit here while you look into things. I

risk I'm willing to take on if I can get even one

groans. "You're not alone, Ava. We are all in this with

not asking for permission,

as he takes a deep breath,

talking, and yet he is still trying to see your side. Do not be afraid to speak your mind,

and rub her ears.

to watch my shows on the couch. You two can have this fight anywhere, but

bedroom

she saunters back to

us. "What's

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

I realize the

to him. I should have

Ava, A Weight off

the effects

you to 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, and

that."

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

He's trying.

Like I am.

do you think I'm

stare at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead, I

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

at me."

I don't.

to my words. Ava, you're not a freak. Wolf or no wolf, I want you by my side. I never should have pushed you away. I've regretted it for so long. When I looked int

you."