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

"I need

12 12

A Weight off Her

hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch is comforting, and I peek

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

a good man, I tell

a moment. You don't smell

What an

choking over the words anymore, but there's something there that I can't quite

for a moment over my

"Yes?"

need you to stay

"But that's-"

he amends 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 understand that

going to do everything in our power to

while you look into things. I

it's a risk I'm willing to take on if I can get even one step closer to bringing

in this with you. But I can't just

asking for

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

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

and rub her ears.

watch my shows on the couch. You two can have this fight anywhere, but if clothes come off, I

bedroom

saliva, she saunters

between us. "What's going

her second favorite, which is running yet

I realize the effects

shouldn't have been able to say that to him. I should have blabbed

Weight off Her

the effects

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

that."

a book, but Selene's words echo

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think I'm a

face while waiting for his answer. Instead,

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

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."