Tangled

189

189

189 Ava: Mom's Legacy (II)

Rubbing Selene's head, my own spins when trying to understand the things she's saying.

Honestly, it's no wonder she's been so subdued.

There are things that clash within me, she says, resting her head

on her paws.

"Like what?"

Her eyes roll in my direction. Like my past as Lycan Queen. remember that I-ruled, but I don't remember how. I fear I will not be able to guide you along as a Luna as well as I once thought I would. "Does it matter? We can learn together." Trying to soothe her

worries, I run both my hands down her spine, giving her a little dog massage. She seems to enjoy it, because she nuzzles a little deeper into the bed, stretching out her legs.

I want to help you, but it's fuzzy. I hate it.

There's a little worry in my head, like this is some portent of some future danger. But how? It's a few missing memories. When you're a soul from the past transplanted into a modern day dog, there's bound to be

I don't know. I've never done it before.

She sounds miserable, so I rub a little harder. "You'll be okay. I don't need you to be overly wise. I just need you to be you. We can figure out all the growing pains as we go."

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160 Ava: Mom's Legacy

Selene's tail wags a little as she flops onto her back, paws flailing in the air. A soft whine escapes her throat, her eyes pleading with me to rub her belly. I can't help but chuckle at the sight. For all her wisdom and cryptic warnings, and the soul of a Lycan within, she's still a dog where it matters.

A little to the left, she instructs, her e echoing in my mind. No, no, back to the right. Ah, perfect.

My fingers find the spot she's indicating, and I scratch it vigorously. Her hind leg starts thumping against the bed in a steady rhythm, a sign of pure canine bliss.

A sharp knock at the door interrupts our bonding moment. Three precise raps, followed by the creak of the door as it inches open.

The bodyguard pokes his head in, just as promised, his eyes scanning the interior with a practiced efficiency.

"Doing okay in here, ma'am?" he asks, his voice gruff but not

unkind.

I give him a nod in response. "Yes, everything's fine. Just

of amusement in his eyes. "Very good, ma'am. I'll be right outside if you need anything. Ten more minutes." He starts to withdraw, but I call out

I'm sorry, I

brow, surprised by the question. "It's Marcus, ma'am. Marcus

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Marcus.

nod in response. "Just doing my job, ma'am. With that, he closes the door, leaving me alone with Selene once more. Suddenly self-conscious about sitting on the bed

embarrassed, shys. It's

"But I should finish unpacking. We

a while."

no rush. Didn't you say Vanessa wouldn't be here until dinnertime? Let's just watch TV

up at the idea of her shows. She hasn't watched them much since the

and I've spent most of my time pacing around, wondering how to save

it's very obvious it won't be happening anytime soon. I've been avoiding thinking about it too closely, clinging to Sister Miriam's words that she's safe from his clutches due to

my weak ass

her return, there's not much I can

for them to figure things out. So I'm doing my best to leave Lisa in Lucas' capable hands, trusting him to save

36

Ava Mom's

be wasted

away, and you can watch something while I order dinner. Jericho said he wanted to

things anyway."

your traini again. I heard him talking to the guards about you being softeran

butter, and fatter too.

Fatter?!

at Selene, I'm not sure how to take

he was talking about your fat-to-muscle

I figured

didn't sound

"It sounds pretty derogatory."

think he meant

"I'm sure he didn't."

was even in discussion, I find myself in front of the mirror, twisting back and forth, scrutinizing every

look

really that out of

stomach, frowning at the slight give. Maybe I have let myself go

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