Living in Westwood becomes 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 me 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 me 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 me, "It isn''t fair that my apartment''s been taken over."


    I sigh, the sound heavy with frustration. Selene huffs a little woof of agreement from her spot on the floor.


    "You know I can hear you two, right?" Kellan says without turning around, his voice tinged with amusement.


    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 me insane. I can''t even have a private conversation with Lisa or Selene without him hovering nearby.


    But you have to promise me you won''t leave the apartment."


    Lisa''s face brightens instantly, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. "Really? You mean it?"


    Kellan nods again, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Really. But I mean 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 excitement thrumming through our bond, a warm pulse of energy that makes me 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 mentally, my thoughts tinged with triumph. We finally get some time to ourselves.


    Selene woofs softly in response, her agreement 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 meaning to have." She waggles her eyebrows at me, 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 me regret it."


    "We won''t," I promise, meaning it with every fiber of my being. "And Kellan? Thank you. Seriously."


    He nods, his expression softening. "You''re welcome, 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 somewhere deep inside me. It feels good to laugh, to feel something 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."