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

I trust her completely,

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

12 12

Ava, A Weight

The warmth of his touch

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

good man, I tell Selene

for a moment.

What an

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

over my hand. "I need you to

"Yes?"

looking torn. "I need you to stay away

"But that's-"

look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my hand from his. "Lucas,

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

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

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

We are all in this with you.

asking for

close as he takes a deep breath, and Selene pipes up

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

and rub her ears.

going to watch my shows on the couch. You two can have this fight

bedroom

her saliva, she saunters back to the living room, having made her position

between us. "What's going

a talk show on now-to her second favorite, which is running

I realize the effects of the food have

to say that to him. I should

Weight

did the

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

that."

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

He's trying.

Like I am.

think I'm

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

think that?" His hands. cover mine,

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 already running away," I mutter. "It wasn't just because

you."