Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 111 Lisa: Ava's Absence (IV)

LISA

Three fucking weeks.

No matter how many times I count, it's been three fucking weeks.

The calendar on my wall mocks me, today's date staring me in the face from any particular point of my kitchen.

Selene whines when I nearly step on her paw for the third time this morning. "Sorry, girl. Give me a second, and we'll go see her."

I'm drenched in sweat. Jericho hasn't blinked a single eyelash over Ava being in the hospital, and we've all settled into a new kind of normal.

It's not normal at all, but it's life now. At least until Ava wakes up again.

I'm stronger. Faster, though nothing compared to these shifters who surround me. I'm learning some basic self-defense, and Selene has helped with the hands-on training to evade and defend against wolf attacks.

I have bruises and wounds everywhere, and a few of them have even gotten infected, but Healer Vanessa is a godsend who always has some magical cream on her somewhere. Antibacterial, antifungal, prevents scarring, and smells divine. I have no idea why they don't sell it in the human markets.

Probably because they'd never be able to keep up with the demand. For all I know, it probably reduces wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they don't need wrinkle cream.

I slip into the shower, with Selene's reproachful blue eyes watching me.

The water pounds against my back, a blistering reminder of just how tense I've been. I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to punch something.

he was even here. He's not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough

I do. Lucas has every right to be there, and Kellan has every responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I don't feel like I'm

the pack called Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to

feels too soft against

I miss Ava.

connected,

unresponsive to the

sidelong glances thrown my way. The Blackwood daughter, unconscious in a Westwood hospital. It's a political

but Jericho says there's a lot of movement in the shadows. He's been training me harder

follows the Grey girl like ducks to their mamas," he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. "And

tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She's been my constant companion these past few weeks,

walk it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for any potential threats. They ignore the guard following me in silence. I pretend not to notice

pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little freedom to move around as I wish, but I'm always followed by

Always.

usual spot by Ava's bedside, his hand clasped tightly around

ask, though

yet. But she's strong. She'll come back

not trusting myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to

looks so peaceful, so still. Like she's just sleeping, and any moment now she'll wake up

doesn't. She hasn't for three

curling up at Ava's feet. She's been doing that more and more lately, like she's trying to protect

chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I'm so tired, so fucking tired