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

turning the cup in circles. "I need to know more about this power. It's putt

12 12

A Weight off Her

hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch is

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

I tell Selene

moment. You don't smell

What an odd

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

fingers tensing for a moment over my hand. "I need you to promise

"Yes?"

"I need you to stay away

"But that's-"

until Kellan and I can look into this a little more. To keep you safe." Drawing my brows together, I pull my

sweetheart. And we're going to

have time to sit here while you look

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

all in this with you. But I

asking for permission,

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

is still trying to see your side. Do not be afraid to speak your mind, Ava.

and rub her ears.

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

bedroom

saliva, she saunters back to the living

glances between us. "What's going

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

the effects

to say that to him. I should have blabbed my

Weight

the effects

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

that."

a book, but Selene's words echo through my

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think I'm

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

Of course not. Ava, why would you think that?" His hands. cover mine, stopping the fidgeting. "Sweetheart, you need

at me."

I don't.

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."