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 trust

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 Lisa back.

12 12

A Weight

hand covering mine. The warmth of his

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I

quiet for a moment. You don't smell

What an

he's a good man, Ava. She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words anymore, but there's something there that I can't quite put my

moment over my hand. "I

"Yes?"

need you

"But that's-"

keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my hand from his. "Lucas, I

we're going to do everything in our power to

sit here while you look into

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

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

asking for permission,

know, I know. His eyes close as he takes

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

and rub her ears.

You two can have this fight anywhere, but if clothes

bedroom

she

glances between us. "What's going

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

then that I realize the effects of the

say that to

Ava, A Weight

did the

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 me, and I want

that."

sounds like he's reciting lines from a book, but Selene's

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think

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

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

at me."

I don't.

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 away. I've regretted it for so long. When I looked int "I was already running away,"

you."