Tangled

87 Ava: Missing, AGAIN

Panic has me looking around the room, as if they would just be sitting somewhere. It’s most likely that someone took my jewelry off when I was brought in.

My gaze falls upon the various wires and tubes tethering me to the bed. A thin IV line snakes its way into the crook of my elbow, delivering fluids and medication. A catheter bag hangs from the side of the bed, freeing me from any need for the bathroom.

All great, until I need to get up and look for something. Son of a bitch.

There’s a wheeled table for meals, but all it has is some paperwork that seems to be welcoming me to the -hospital. Does anyone even read those things?

Panic is well on its way to blowing its top inside of my head and setting off a full–scale anxiety attack. My eyes dart from the nightstand to the small closet, but there’s no sign of my jewelry anywhere.

I keep trying to fiddle with a ring that is no longer on my finger, and it’s driving me crazy.

87 Ava: Missing, AGAIN

Finally, I remember the call light. With a trembling finger, I depress the button.

Seconds feel like an eternity as I wait, my mind racing with possibilities. What if they were lost in the woods, during the attack? I hadn’t stopped to see if they’d fallen off. If they’re all the way out there, how the hell do I get them back?

I don’t know a lot about Lucas, but I know alphas.

He’d never let me go back there, and it would be impossible to explain how important the jewelry is. I can’t just tell him that they’re used to keep my power hidden.

The gentle click of the door opening draws my

attention, and a kind–faced nurse steps into the room. “She’s older, and smells of human and rubbing alcohol. “Did you press your call light, dear?”

“My necklace and ring,” I blurt out, struggling to keep my voice calm despite the desperation seeping into it. “I can’t find them anywhere. Do you know what happened to them?”

The nurse’s expression softens with understanding. “I’m afraid I wasn’t here when you were first admitted,

28

17 Aus MosNE JOAN

sweetheart. But let me check with the security team.

It’s standard procedure to put any valuables in a safety box, especially when the patient isn’t conscious.”

Relief washes over me at her words, and I nod gratefully. “Thank you. Those items mean so much to

1. me.

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

Now to wait.

the pillows, my fingers idly tracing the bandages wrapped around my neck. Memories of the past few days flood my mind–the terror, the

And my mate.

word still feels foreign, even as

warmth within me. So much has

a few short weeks ago, I was indignant at his presence in Cedarwood, thinking

tried to show me he

caving too

I’m willing to give him a chance, nothing can happen until I talk

Missing,

And even then…

are other secrets. Like

feels like there are a thousand reasons against. reconnecting

an exercise in patience.

from the machines around me only amplifies the anxious, never–ending cycle of worry taking over my mind.

my necklace and ring, what will happen to

me?

point will the people around me

that I’m different?

signs–but, I just had my heat a few weeks ago,

begin to manifest against my will?

of questions with no answers,

on the

418

Ava: Missing, AGAIN

so sorry, dear,” she says. “The security team hasn’t called back yet. It

my belly, like a hyperactive raccoon.

with a no–nonsense gait, her eyes already on all the cords keeping me in place. “It’ll–be good

isn’t really a question, but an order in that way

wiggle over to the edge of the bed, her movements careful and deliberate. A

and

on my back. “One step at a time. Hold on, let me get

the wave of pain to recede as she opens a clear package of

5/8

<

Ava: Missing,

me from

I ease my feet against the floor. It’s tile, yet the

right now, I love them more than anything I’ve ever worn. Cold floors are

walk on.

metal rod for support as I heave myself into a standing position, taking in deep gasps of air as I fight against

ambitious movement.