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?

my confusion.

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81 Ava: Wounded

be back soon. For now, we need to get

nod again. This time, I can feel the movement. I must not have nodded before, when I thought I

little

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

chairs in the

How odd.

me onto a makeshift bed of blankets

gentle yet purposeful. I wince as the motion

fucking

definitely not paraplegic.

his hand lingering on my arm for a moment. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re going to be okay.”

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

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Ava: Wounded

nod again, my eyelids growing

exhaustion.

in

pack

give you a little

understand me?”

the word

have to stabilize your injuries. You’ve

lot of blood.” There’s a lot

a bunch of poking and prodding. “Big pinch,” she warns, and I yelp at the sting that comes just as she warns me.

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

like my head’s about to detach

***

white, and the distinct scent of

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81 Ava Wounded.

makes my nose

the ceiling. A few dents, and a couple holes. Probably from something that had hung from it once

left, I can see clear bags full of liquid hanging from an IV pole. There’s an IV in

colors.

SpO2 99%.

RR 12.

PR bpm 61.

109/63.

a second for me to

after a short time.

heart rate, blood

in a hospital.

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

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81 Ava: Wounded

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