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.

scary as Lucas,

hasn't been around much lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has every right to be there, and

weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I can't even imagine how she's holding up,

out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in

I miss Ava.

with me. Selene's finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first

bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And the rumors are

them in the sidelong glances thrown my way. The Blackwood daughter, unconscious in

rallying behind Westwood, but Jericho says there's a lot of movement in the shadows. He's been training me harder than ever, teaching me how to defend myself

me yesterday, his scarred face grim. "And you're her best friend. That makes

dress quickly, pulling on leggings and a tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She's been

the route so familiar now I could 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

might be too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little freedom to move around as I wish, but I'm always followed by

Always.

by Ava's bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes

though I already

"Nothing yet. But she's strong. She'll come back to

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

just sleeping, and any moment now she'll wake up and start cracking jokes about how we

She hasn't for

She's been doing that more and more lately,

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