Tangled

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160

160 Ava: Eyes Wide Open

It smells like him, Selene grumbles, her wet nose twitching as she sniffs around the plush rug in the center of Lucas' bedroom. Everywhere.

I glance up from where I'm unpacking my suitcase, one eyebrow arched. "Well, it's his room. What did you expect?"

She huffs, her tail swishing in annoyance. I expected not to be assaulted by the scent of alpha male posturing every time I breathe. Her mental words are sour, but without the bite they used to have when she s

A laugh escapes me despite the heaviness still lingering in my chest from the earlier confrontation with Margot. "Posturing? Really? It's just his scent."

Yes, really. She flops down on the rug, her chin resting on her paws. It's like he's marking his territory. Letting everyone know this is his space.

"Is it really posturing when he just sleeps in here?"

Yes.

I roll my eyes, turning back to my suitcase. She's reaching for reasons to complain, but knowing that her grumbling doesn't have the fierce hatred of before helps a lot. "He's the alpha. Isn't that kind of his job?" There's a difference between being an alpha and being obnoxious about it.

17:31

100 Avax Eyes Wide Open

Her complaints continue as I move about the room, hanging up clothes and arranging my toiletries in the en-suite bathroom.

It's a beautiful space, all dark wood and rich fabrics, with a massive king-sized bed dominating the center. It's all masculine without a single feminine touch, which somehow pleases me.

The thought of sleeping here, surrounded by Lucas' scent, makes me smile-even if my wolf hates it.

But Selene's complaints nag at me, pulling me out of my reverie. I pause, a shirt dangling from my fingers, and turn to face her.

"Okay, what's your deal with Lucas? I thought you were over your issues with him now that we're together."

She sighs, a heavy sound that seems to deflate her entire body. It's not that simple, Ava.

"Then explain it to me." I drop the shirt on the bed and move to sit beside her, my fingers sinking into her thick fur. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're just being stubborn."

I'm not being stubborn. She's still grouchy, but there's less heat in her voice now. I'm being cautious.

"Cautious of what? Lucas has proven himself time and time again. He's been there for me, for us, through everything."

man,

twitch. My wolf came to me with all the wise demeanor and cryptic words of some sage,

"But...?"

Eyes

against the ground.

Ava. I'll explain it another

so defeated that I don't argue,

of 'another day' where you don't say anything until I'm kidnapped, rescued, and then

you hadn't gotten yourself kidnapped again in the first place, Selene grumbles, though it's obvious she doesn't mean

her out of her little funk, I add, "Besides, I didn't get kidnapped by the vampire this time." My heart sinks as I think A lot of confidence for someone who hasn't finished training

Jericho.

"Hush."

glance over at the pack lands spread out before me. The small city feels stagnant,

like stepping back in time by

the streets, their heads down and shoulders hunched. They move with a sense of urgency, as if they're afraid to linger too long in any one place. It's a stark

17:33

376

Ave Eyes

sickening display of the gender dynamics that have always. been present in the

heard about gender dynamics. I'd even seen the difference when I attended school in White Peak, or worked there. But I always felt, deep down, that the difference was because

Now?

the relative equality and freedom of Aspen

to my core. This is not because we're shifters;

voice echoes in my

don't answer right away, my eyes still fixed on the scene below. Af female I recognize hurries across the street, her arms laden with bags. She has a few

says something, his posture aggressive, and

over, breaking up their confrontation, that I realize my shoulders are tense and drawn up, my fingers gripping

sure-saved her for the moment. But when slfe gets home, her mate will

then.

17

4/8

Eyes

is, but I can suspect.

to walk away from here; there's always something brewing. Even something as simple as domestic relations in a single home "No," I say finally, my

Talk to me.

turning to face Selene. She's sitting up now, her blue eyes fixed on me with an intensity that would be unnerving if I didn't know her so

don't like

What do you see?