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

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

Weight off

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

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell Selene

a moment. You don't smell

What an

She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words anymore, but there's something there that I

over my

"Yes?"

torn. "I need you

"But that's-"

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

to do everything in our power to get her

while you look into things.

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

alone, Ava. We are all in this with you. But I can't just

asking for

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

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 me to reach

and rub her ears.

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

bedroom

my lap, wet with her saliva, she saunters back to the living room, having made her

between us. "What's going

the channel-there's a talk show on now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of her shows. I've

realize the effects of the food have worn

been able to say that to him. I should

A Weight

did the effects

to me," he says hesitantly, distracting me from that line of thought. "I appreciate you opening

that."

sounds like he's reciting lines from a book, but Selene's words echo through my

He's trying.

Like I am.

do you think I'm

at his face while waiting for his answer. Instead, I pick at the buttons on the remote Selene left

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

at me."

I don't.

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," I mutter.

you."