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

don't know if I

in circles. "I need to know more about this power.

12 12

A Weight

warmth of his

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

good man, I

for a moment. You

an odd

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

a moment over

"Yes?"

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

"But that's-"

a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together,

And we're going to do everything in our power to get her

here while you look into things.

willing to take on if I can get

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

not asking for

know. His eyes close as he takes a deep breath, and Selene pipes up in

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

and rub her ears.

two can have this fight anywhere, but if

bedroom

saliva, she

glances between us. "What's

second favorite, which is

I realize the effects of the

that to him. I should have blabbed my entire thought

Ava, A Weight off

did the

as though you can't talk to me," he says hesitantly, distracting me from that

that."

lines from a

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think I'm a

and I can't stare at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead, I

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

at me."

I don't.

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

you."