Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 81 Ava: Wounded

Consciousness is fleeting and unreliable. The gentle vibration of the car is a cadence that lulls me into a state of semi-awareness, reality blurring with dreams. I alternate between understanding that I'm safe to fearing that Phoenix has me in his grasp. Sometimes, I can hear Alpha Renard's cruel words. I even dream of Sister Miriam.

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the haze, piercing my muddled thoughts with startling clarity. It's a voice I recognize, though I can't quite place it. My eyelids flutter open, and I find myself enveloped in a pair of strong arms, cradled against a broad chest.

It feels wrong.

So, not Lucas?

As my vision adjusts, I make out the rugged features of Kellan Ashbourne, Lucas's beta. His eyes are fixed on me, a mixture of concern and relief etched onto his face.

"Ava," he says, his voice gentle and soothing, like cool water after on a hot summer day. Ah, I'm poetic in my delirium.

"You're safe now. We're taking you to Westwood territory."

I blink slowly, trying to make sense of his words. The events of the night are a jumbled mess in my mind. "Where are we?"

"In a small city. We're still on Blackwood territory, and you aren't safe here. Just bear with me for a moment, okay? You're badly injured, did you know that?"

I nod. Yes, I hurt. It hurts everywhere. Who wouldn't know when their body hurts? Oh. Maybe paraplegics.

"Yes. I can move my body," I say, even as I lay like a limp fish in his arms.

I can, though… I think.

Shit, everything's hard to keep straight in my mind. I wish Selene was here.

Or Lucas.

Where's Lucas?

Wasn't he here?

leading the mission, but he'll be back soon. For now, we need

can feel the movement. I must not have

a

SUV from before. This vehicle is different, its interior stripped down to bare essentials. There

How odd.

bed of blankets where the backseat should be, his movements gentle yet

It really fucking hurts.

I'm definitely not paraplegic.

his hand lingering on my arm for a moment. "You've been through a lot, but you're going to be

to understand what's happening, but the words refuse to form on my lips. Instead, I nod again, my

in beside

is Vanessa, and I'm a pack healer. I'm about to administer some medicine to help with your pain and

the

You've lost a lot of blood." There's a lot of movement around my arm, and something cold. Then a bunch of

sigh in relief, even as she continues doing something to my arm. "Going in," she murmurs. "You should start

vengeance, and it feels like my head's about to detach to fly high

* * *

white, and the distinct scent of disinfectant makes my nose

a couple holes. Probably

my head to the left, I can see clear bags full of liquid hanging from an IV pole. There's

SpO2 99%.

RR 12.

PR bpm 61.

109/63.

a second for me to understand them, but my brain comes online after a short

rate, heart

I'm in a hospital.

the same. I'm in a smaller room, on a real bed. There are sheer curtains