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

don't know if I trust her completely,

eyes, turning the cup in circles. "I need to know more about

12 12

Weight

table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I

quiet for a moment. You

an

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

over my hand.

"Yes?"

you to

"But that's-"

keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull

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

have time to sit here while you look into things.

to take on if I can

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

asking for

as he takes

scent of his anger 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

and rub her ears.

two can have this fight anywhere, but if clothes come off, I ask

bedroom

remote in my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters back to the living room, having made her

between us. "What's going

which is running yet another

only then that I realize the effects of the

to say that to him. I should have

A Weight off Her

the

hesitantly, distracting me from that line of thought. "I appreciate you

that."

a book, but

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think

comes out unbidden, and I can't stare at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead, I pick at the

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

at me."

I don't.

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

you."