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

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

12 12

A Weight off

table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

a good man, I tell

quiet for a moment. You don't smell

an

she's choking over the words anymore, but there's something there

tensing for a moment over my hand. "I need

"Yes?"

need you to stay away from Sister

"But that's-"

more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my hand from his. "Lucas, I know you understand that Lisa's in

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

don't have time to sit here while you look into things. I know

take on if

not alone, Ava. We are all in this with you.

not asking for

I know. His eyes close as he takes a

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 me to reach

and rub her ears.

have this fight anywhere, but if

bedroom

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

us. "What's

her second favorite, which is

that I realize the

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

Weight

the

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

that."

from a book, but Selene's words echo

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think I'm

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

His hands. cover mine, stopping the fidgeting.

at me."

I don't.

want you by my side. I never should have pushed

you."