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 trust her

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

12 12

Ava, A Weight off Her

warmth of his touch is

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

a good man, I tell

a moment. You

an

over the words anymore,

a moment over my hand. "I need you to

"Yes?"

hesitates, looking torn. "I need you

"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 hand from his. "Lucas, I know you

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

to sit here while you look into

I'm willing to take on if I can get even one step closer to bringing her

alone, Ava. We are all in this with you. But I can't just

asking for permission,

as he takes a deep

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

and rub her ears.

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

bedroom

the remote in my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters back to the

us. "What's

switch the channel-there's a talk show on now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of her shows.

I realize the effects of the food have worn

able to say that to him. I should have blabbed

Weight off

did the

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

that."

from a book,

He's trying.

Like I am.

think I'm a

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

that?" His hands. cover mine, stopping the fidgeting. "Sweetheart, you

at me."

I don't.

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

you."