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

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

12 12

Ava, A Weight

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."

man, I tell Selene in

quiet for a moment. You

What an

She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words anymore, but there's something there that I can't quite put my finger

his fingers tensing for a moment over my hand.

"Yes?"

torn. "I need you to stay

"But that's-"

hastily. "For now. Just until Kellan and I can look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my

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

here while

take on if I can

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

not asking for permission,

takes a deep breath, and Selene pipes up in my

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

and rub her ears.

this fight anywhere, but if clothes come off, I ask that

bedroom

wet with her saliva, she saunters back to the

glances between us.

now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of her

then that I realize the

to say that to him. I should have blabbed my entire thought

A Weight off Her

did the effects

me from that line of thought. "I appreciate you opening up to me, and I want you

that."

like he's reciting lines from a book, but

He's trying.

Like I am.

think

his face while waiting for

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

at me."

I don't.

have to. But really, really listen 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 "I was already running away," I mutter. "It wasn't just because

you."