Tangled

183

183

1. 183 Ava: Jericho's Acceptance

Since neither shifter seems very interested in talking, I sit with only my thoughts for company.

Even Selene is silent in my head, though she rests her chin on my leg, her eyes deceptively closed.

She's not asleep, but still dealing with whatever demons are inside of her right now.

Both guards tense as Selene's ears flick around.

Someone's coming, she says, lifting her head to stare at the door. When both guards relax after that distracted look from them linking with someone, she does too, despite sniffing at the air. Jericho, she says, as the door opens and his grizzled head pokes into the room.

Jericho glances around, looking at both guards with clear contempt, before nodding to me. "Girl," he says gruffly.

in

My lips twitch into a faint smile, an unexpected warmth blooming

my chest at his informal address. At least one thing hasn't changed. He still treats me the same, even after everything that's happened.

"Wait outside," Jericho orders the two ill-at-

ease shifters, jerking his head toward the door. They hesitate for a moment, exchanging an uncertain look, but a single raised eyebrow from Jericho has them scurrying out of the room. The door closes with a soft click, and Jerich

Jes

Acceptanés

back to me. "How're you doing? Feeling okay?"

I open my mouth, ready to assure him that I'm fine, but the words lodge in my throat. Am

attack, and all the little truths

complaining about it doesn't seem

He sighs, running a hand over his stubbled

term catches me off guard. I haven't been

a few times, but I don't really

"You're still young, a baby in my eyes. I've been around long enough to see countless pups stumble and fall. Done it myself, in fact." "Yourself?" It's hard to

to imagine he even had a

and cantankerous, yelling at innocent out-of-shape wolf shifters

expectations," Jericho continues, his gaze intense. "But I like the look in your eyes now. You seem like you've gotten

comes as a surprise

In fact, I feel embarrassed by how strong

not so long ago.

Blinded by peace.

to training" I mutter, rubbing Selene's head. She's already lowered her head and closed her eyes again, leaving me to Jericho's presence alone. "I feel like I've

energy to rise to his

mean by that?"

but a curt grunt, he instead takes the opportunity to pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little time for me to realize he's inspecting everything, his nostrils flaring as he

"Of what?"

at me, his face stern.

grizzled face is somehow easier than

never

nods and asks questions when he

finish explaining my vague connection with Sister Miriam, he stares at the ceiling in thought, one booted foot

it sounds, girl, my gut's telling me

ally than

little further off the edge of my bed. "Why? Lucas

toward someone they're hunting. No, she has a pla The doubt on my face must

in their blood. They don't have the sense of pack that we do. It's all power and control in

The question slips

young pups, that's for damn sure. They've grown up

our toes."