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

if I

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 protect myself. I need to get Lisa back. It's

12 12

A Weight

hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

a good man, I tell Selene

a moment.

What an odd

then. Yes, 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 can't quite put my finger

for a moment over my hand. "I need

"Yes?"

torn. "I need you to stay away from

"But that's-"

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

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

have time to sit here while you look into things. I

on if I can get even

not alone, Ava. We are all in

not asking for

he takes a deep breath, and Selene pipes up in

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

and rub her ears.

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

bedroom

in my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters

glances between us. "What's

the channel-there's a talk show on now-to her second favorite, which

then that I realize the effects of

have been able to say that to him. I should have blabbed my

Ava, A Weight

the

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

that."

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

He's trying.

Like I am.

think

at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead, I pick at the buttons on the

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

you."