Living in Westwood becos routine again quickly.
Training with Jericho starts again only two days after my return, and the grizzled old shifter doesn't say a word about my long absence.
Lucas and I text every night, but I refuse to call him. The sound of his voice is going to make regret things.
And Selene settles into our daily life as though she were never gone.
The only downside?
Kellan.
I have yet to speak to Selene or Lisa about anything important, because the beta is always around. He sleeps on the couch every night, no matter how many protests Lisa and I hurl his way.
Even Lucas is on board with it. I thought utilizing his possessiveness would go my way; it didn't.
He just said Kellan would be the one wolf he could trust to keep safe.
Lisa's worse off than I am; she spends a good chunk of her day glowering at the friendly beta.
I watch Kellan as he washes the dishes, his broad shoulders filling out his t-shirt in a way that would be appealing if I wasn't so annoyed by his constant presence. Lisa mutters beside , "It isn't fair that my apartnt's been taken over."
I sigh, the sound heavy with frustration. Selene huffs a little woof of agreent from her spot on the floor.
"You know I can hear you two, right?" Kellan says without turning around, his voice tinged with amusent.
Lisa rolls her eyes. "Good. Maybe you'll take the hint and leave."
Kellan chuckles, the sound deep and warm. He turns, leaning back against the counter as he dries his hands on a dish towel. "Sorry, no can do. Alpha's orders."
I grit my teeth. It's not that I don't appreciate Lucas's concern for my safety. I do. But having Kellan here 24/7 is driving insane. I can't even have a private conversation with Lisa or Selene without him hovering nearby.
"We don't need a babysitter," I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
Kellan arches a brow. "After everything that's happened, I beg to differ."
I bristle at that, my cheeks heating with a mix of anger and embarrassnt. I know he's right. I've been kidnapped, attacked, and goddess knows what else in the span of a few short months. But still.
"I can take care of myself," I mutter, knowing it sounds petulant even as the words leave my mouth.
Kellan's expression softens. "I know you can, Ava. But let us help, okay? It's what pack does."
I look away, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. Pack. The word feels foreign on my tongue these days. The Blackwood pack was never really mine, no matter how much I tried to make it fit. And the Westwood pack...
Well. I'm not really sure where I stand with them. With him.
Lucas and I have been texting, but it's superficial stuff. Jokes and s, a quick question about our day.
I'm avoiding anything more aningful than that, and he knows it. He's letting .
But he's not letting be as free as I'd like, because despite having won the war of where I live… Kellan's here.
"We already have bodyguards outside. Can't you just leave for a few hours? Let us have our space? I can't breathe without one of you watching , and I'm sick of it."
It's true, too. Having guards around at all tis is not sothing I can get used to, and I never want to get used to it.
Selene huffs, sliding her baleful gaze in Kellan's direction.
Kellan shakes his head, and both Lisa and I groan in unison. The sound is loud and long, dripping with all the frustration that's been building up inside for days now.
It's not just the constant surveillance, though that's certainly part of it. It's everything. The bond with Lucas, the fact that my father and Alpha Renard still haven't been found, the questions I have about my body. All of it.
Kellan sighs in resignation, running a hand through his hair until it sticks up in unruly spikes. "Look, I get it. You two need so space. So ti to yourselves." He pauses, his brow furrowing as he seems to wage so internal battle. Finally, he nods, as if coming to a decision. "I can give you tomorrow afternoon.
But you have to promise you won't leave the apartnt."
Lisa's face brightens instantly, her dark eyes sparkling with excitent. "Really? You an it?"
Kellan nods again, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Really. But I an it about staying put. No exceptions. Especially as Alpha Westwood is gone again." He's back in the Blackwood territory, dealing with things that happened while I was hospitalized.
Selene barks her approval, her tail thumping against the floor in a steady rhythm. I can feel her excitent thrumming through our bond, a warm pulse of energy that makes feel lighter than I have in days.
I share a high-five with Lisa, our palms connecting with a satisfying smack. We did it, I tell Selene ntally, my thoughts tinged with triumph. We finally get so ti to ourselves.
Selene woofs softly in response, her agreent clear. We need to talk, Ava. There's so much I need to tell you.
I nod, my heart skipping a beat at the seriousness in her tone. I know. We will. Tomorrow, when Kellan's gone.
Lisa's already chattering away, making plans for our afternoon of freedom. "We can watch movies, and order in food, and just relax for once. Oh! And we can finally have that girl talk we've been aning to have." She waggles her eyebrows at , her grin turning sly.
I feel my cheeks heat, knowing exactly what kind of "girl talk" she has in mind. The kind that involves a certain alpha and the complicated tangle of feelings I have for him.
Kellan clears his throat, drawing our attention back to him. "I'm trusting you two," he says, his tone serious. "Don't make regret it."
"We won't," I promise, aning it with every fiber of my being. "And Kellan? Thank you. Seriously."
He nods, his expression softening. "You're welco, Ava. I know this hasn't been easy for you. For either of you." He glances at Lisa, including her in his words.
Lisa's smile is genuine, all traces of her earlier annoyance gone. "Thanks, Kellan. We appreciate it. More than you know."
Kellan ducks his head, looking almost bashful at the praise. "Yeah, well. Don't get used to it. I'm still your bodyguard, after all."
I laugh, the sound bubbling up from sowhere deep inside . It feels good to laugh, to feel sothing other than the constant weight of worry and fear.
"Wouldn't dream of it," I say, my tone teasing. "We know you're a tough guy, Kellan. No need to remind us."
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