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

my eyes, turning the cup in circles. "I need to know more about this

12 12

A Weight off

of his touch is comforting,

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

good man, I tell

moment. You don't

What an

She doesn't sound like she's choking over the words

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

"Yes?"

hesitates, looking torn. "I need you to

"But that's-"

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

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

sit here while

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

groans. "You're not alone, Ava. We are all in

asking for permission,

His eyes close as he takes a deep breath,

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

and rub her ears.

You two can have this fight anywhere, but if clothes come off, I ask that you do

bedroom

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

us. "What's going

now-to her second favorite, which is running yet another one of her shows. I've seen

only then that I realize the

shouldn't have been able to say that to him. I should

A Weight off Her

the effects

distracting me from that line of thought. "I appreciate you opening up to me, and I want

that."

lines from a book, but

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think

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 left with

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

at me."

I don't.

you 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."