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?

to sense my confusion. “Alpha is leading

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81 Ava: Wounded

For now,

I can feel the movement. I must not have nodded before, when I thought

little more intense, too.

I realize we’re no longer in the SUV from

chairs in the back.

How odd.

onto a makeshift bed of blankets

movements gentle yet purposeful. I wince as the motion aggravates my

really fucking hurts.

definitely not

murmurs, his hand lingering on my arm for a moment. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re

happening, but the words

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Ava:

again, my eyelids

exhaustion.

climbs in beside

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

your pain and give you

understand me?”

word appealing to

I have to stabilize your injuries.

There’s a lot

and something cold. Then a bunch of poking and prodding. “Big pinch,” she warns,

she continues doing something to my arm. “Going in,” she murmurs. “You should start feeling

and it feels like my head’s about to detach to fly high into

***

and the distinct scent

13:14

81 Ava Wounded.

makes my nose

of the ceiling. A few dents, and a couple

clear bags full of liquid hanging from an IV pole. There’s an

colors.

SpO2 99%.

RR 12.

PR bpm 61.

109/63.

a second for me

online after a short time.

heart rate,

a hospital.

I’m back on Aspen lands, but as I blink away my grogginess, I realize it isn’t the same. I’m in a

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81 Ava: Wounded

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