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.

even here. He's not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the

hospital. I get it, 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 drowning in this new

Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I can't even imagine how she's holding up, but she never lets it show. Always

feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this place is too soft,

I miss Ava.

should be here with me. Selene's finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun is around the

in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around

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

lot of movement in the shadows. He's been training me harder than ever, teaching me how to defend myself

ducks to their mamas," he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. "And you're her

thumping against the floor. She's been my constant companion these past few weeks, a comforting presence in a world turned

my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for any potential threats.

the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little

Always.

bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I

ask, though I already know the

yet. But she's strong.

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

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

she doesn't. She hasn't for three fucking

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

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