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's not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking

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 world without any

high-up shifter in the pack called 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

a towel that feels too soft against my

I miss Ava.

We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what

the world around her. And the rumors are already

my way. The Blackwood daughter,

shadows. He's been training me

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

Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She's

hospital, 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

easier that way. Kellan might be too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little freedom to move around as I

Always.

is in his usual spot by Ava's bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter,

change?" I ask, though I

"Nothing yet. But

usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching

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

she doesn't. She hasn't for

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

closing my eyes for a