Tangled

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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

if I trust her completely,

happening to me than 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

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Ava, A Weight

The warmth of his touch is comforting, and I

lowered lashes.

Thoughtful. Concerned. Calm.

Ever the rational alpha."

man, I tell

moment.

an odd

Yes, 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

over my hand.

"Yes?"

torn. "I need you to stay away from

"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

to

while you

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

are all in this

asking for

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

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,

and rub her ears.

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

bedroom

she saunters back to the living room, having made

between us. "What's going

on now-to her second favorite, which

realize the effects of

that to him. I should have blabbed my entire thought

Ava, A Weight

the

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

that."

reciting lines from a

He's trying.

Like I am.

you think I'm a

out unbidden, and I can't stare at his face while waiting for

would you think that?" His hands. cover mine, stopping the fidgeting. "Sweetheart, you need

at me."

I don't.

Ava, you're not a freak. Wolf or no wolf, I want you by my side. I never should

you."