Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 191 Ava: Mom's Legacy (IV)

Vanessa's visit is a welcome distraction from Selene's refusal to come out from beneath the bed.

She's searched thoroughly, even her bag of medical supplies, before Marcus allows her to step foot into my room, as if she hasn't been one of my biggest supporters since stepping onto Westwood lands.

"Looks like security's been upgraded," she says with a laugh. "I owe Vester dinner."

"Dinner?" Watching as she slides the blood pressure cuff over my arm, I smile faintly. "Did you guys have a bet?"

"We always have a bet going. I usually win. Uncross your legs and relax your arms."

A quick check of all my vitals has her nodding in approval. "Still doing good. Did you get any check-ups done while you were back on pack lands?"

"Nope."

"Of course you didn't." She snaps my file closed with a sigh. "Kellan should have thought about it while you were there, but with everything going on… Mmm. I can see how it would be missed."

The entire pack is in an uproar. I've barely seen Lucas in two days.

"They have the entire Council coming. Even Clayton. Kellan's here to take over for the duration of their emergency session," I explain, not sure how much Vester's told her.

"So I've heard. Open your mouth." Using her tongue depressor to clear her field of view, she inspects the back of my throat with a soft hum. "Your tonsils are swollen. Have you been snoring?"

"I have no idea." Of course, my mouth is open with what looks like a popsicle stick holding down my tongue, so it comes out more like, "A-ha-ho-ihea."

Yes, Selene offers up from her place beneath the bed, as Vanessa finishes violating my mouth with her depressor.

After swallowing a few times and moistening my mouth, I mutter, "Selene says yes."

"We'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully you aren't about to come down with a cold or anything." There's a dubious note to Vanessa's voice, and I remember that she's a healer to shifters.

They don't get things like colds. Or illness in general.

Injury-related issues, sure.

Or poisons.

begs the question once again, why are all of my bodyguards supposedly 'retired'?

wonder if

"Vanessa—"

her. Then she checks over all my limbs and my chest and back, nodding to herself at times and occasionally giving me orders, like take a deep breath or stop jiggling

back to your normal self, which is great news for Jericho.

mature, responsible, and (above all) stronger, a groan escapes me.

be a lie to say that there isn't a part of me that wishes power would just appear in front of me and embrace me within it, so I don't have to go

slumped shoulders, clear my throat, and meet Vanessa's amused stare with as much professionalism

too hard. I

"Small blessings."

as she packs everything away. "You're the one who told him you wanted to get stronger. I'm

that Jericho's version of training is a circle of Hell that's better left undisturbed." Watching her brings a cozy sort of comfort to my chest. Something deeper

but

other, a nervous habit I can't seem to break. "Have you figured out how to deal

playful smile slips from Vanessa's face, replaced by a serious expression to match the topic at hand. "I have." She zips her medical bag closed and sets it on the floor, watching me. "When

my mother again, after our last disastrous encounter, sends an Arctic shudder down my spine. But I want answers.

a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Trying to avoid training with Jericho, are we? But tonight would

that visiting my mother is far worse than any hell Jericho could put me through on the training grounds, but

finally opening up to other members of the pack," Vanessa says, changing the subject, as if realizing I don't want to linger

She probably does.

good at

acts like he's ignoring our conversation, but I know he's heard every word. I'm pretty sure

overwhelming, but I'm trying to

but I'm trying." My lips quirk, just a little. "Someone really opened my eyes, and I've

she helped you." Vanessa's expression softens. "Lucas has already called me several times, you know. Making sure

eyes widen, horror washing over