Tangled

Chapter 81

81 Ava: Wounded

Consciousness is fleeting and unreliable. The gentle vibration of the car is a cadence that lulls me into a state of semi–awareness, reality blurring with dreams. I alternate between understanding that I’m safe to fearing that Phoenix has me in his grasp. Sometimes, I can hear Alpha Renard’s cruel words. I even dream of

Sister Miriam.

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the haze, piercing my muddled thoughts with startling clarity. It’s a voice I recognize, though I can’t quite place it. My eyelids flutter open, and I find myself enveloped in a pair of strong arms, cradled against a broad chest.

It feels wrong.

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As my vision adjusts, I make out the rugged features of Kellan Ashbourne, Lucas’s beta. His eyes are fixed on me, a mixture of concern and relief etched onto his

face.

“Ava,” he says, his voice gentle and soothing, like cool water after on a hot summer day. Ah, I’m poetic in my

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81 Ava: Wounded

delirium.

“You’re safe now. We’re taking you to Westwood

territory.”

I blink slowly, trying to make sense of his words. The events of the night are a jumbled mess in my mind. “Where are we?”

“In a small city. We’re still on Blackwood territory, and you aren’t safe here. Just bear with me for a moment, okay? You’re badly injured, did you know that?”

I nod. Yes, I hurt. It hurts everywhere. Who wouldn’t know when their body hurts? Oh. Maybe paraplegics.

“Yes. I can move my body,” I say, even as I lay like a limp

fish in his arms.

I can, though… I think.

Shit, everything’s hard to keep straight in my mind. I

wish Selene was here.

Or Lucas.

Where’s Lucas?

Wasn’t he here?

sense my confusion. “Alpha

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81 Ava: Wounded

be back soon. For now, we need to

the movement. I must

a little

carefully, and I realize we’re no longer in the SUV from before. This vehicle is different, its interior stripped down to bare

in

How odd.

onto a makeshift

the backseat should be, his movements gentle yet purposeful. I

fucking

not paraplegic.

my arm for a moment. “You’ve been through

to ask questions, to understand what’s happening, but the words refuse to form on

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81 Ava: Wounded

I nod again, my eyelids

exhaustion.

in

Vanessa, and I’m a pack healer. I’m about

your pain and give you a little rest. Can

understand me?”

I murmur, the word appealing

have to

of blood.” There’s a lot of movement

of poking and prodding. “Big pinch,” she warns,

in relief, even as she continues doing something to my arm. “Going in,” she murmurs. “You should start feeling it pretty

it feels like my head’s about to detach to fly high into the sky, like

***

ceiling is white, and the distinct scent of

13:14

81 Ava Wounded.

my

a couple holes.

can see clear bags full of liquid hanging from an IV pole. There’s an IV in my arm and a little monitor with squiggly lines

colors.

SpO2 99%.

RR 12.

PR bpm 61.

109/63.

for me

online after a

heart rate, blood

a hospital.

back on Aspen lands, but as I blink away my grogginess, I realize it isn’t the same. I’m in a smaller room, on a real bed. There are sheer curtains over my window, letting in soft daylight.

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81 Ava: Wounded

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