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,

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

12 12

Weight

across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch is comforting, and I peek at his face

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell Selene

quiet for a moment. You don't smell

What an

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

over my hand. "I need you to promise

"Yes?"

torn. "I need you

"But that's-"

"For now. Just until Kellan and I can look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing

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

while you look

take on if I can get even one step closer to

alone, Ava. We are all in this with you. But I

asking

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

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 muddy v Selene's cold nose touches my leg, prompting

and rub her ears.

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

bedroom

my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters

glances between us. "What's

on now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of

then that I realize the effects of the food

say that to him. I should have

A Weight

the

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

that."

from a

He's trying.

Like I am.

think I'm a

stare at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead,

course not. Ava, why would you think that?" His hands. cover

at me."

I don't.

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 int "I was already running away,"

you."