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

know if I

the cup in circles. "I need to know more about this power. It's putt people around me in danger. I need to

12 12

Weight off Her

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

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell

quiet for a moment.

an

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

says, his fingers tensing for a moment over my hand. "I need you to

"Yes?"

"I 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

And we're going to do everything in

time to sit here while you look into

risk I'm willing to take on if I can get

in this with you. But

not asking for permission,

takes a deep breath, and Selene

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

and rub her ears.

on the couch. You two can have this fight anywhere, but if clothes come

bedroom

remote in my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters

glances between us. "What's

second favorite, which is running yet another one

only then that I realize the effects of the food have

shouldn't have been able to say that to

A Weight off

the effects

hesitantly, distracting me from that line of thought. "I

that."

lines from a book, but Selene's words

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think I'm a

face while waiting for his

would you think that?" His hands. cover mine,

at me."

I don't.

don't have to. But really, really listen to my words. Ava, you're not a freak. Wolf or no wolf, I want you by my side. I never should have pushed you

you."