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.

around my neck. Memories of the past few days flood my mind–the terror, the pain, the overwhelming sense

And my mate.

foreign, even as it ignites

warmth within me. So much

think that a few short weeks ago, I was indignant at his presence in

of him as he tried to show me he

caving too soon?

him a chance, nothing can happen

Ava: Missing,

And even then…

secrets. Like

there are a thousand reasons against. reconnecting

an exercise in

I have no ring to twirl. Every steady beep from

my necklace and ring, what will happen

me?

point will the

that I’m different?

soon before I hit another heat? So far, there are no signs–but, I just had my heat a

begin to manifest against my

vicious cycle of questions with no answers, and I feel hope rise in me, only to

look on the nurse’s face.

418

Ava: Missing,

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

bounces around in my belly, like a hyperactive raccoon. “Thank you for letting

the meantime, why don’t we get you up and moving a bit?” she suggests brightly, even as she approaches with a no–nonsense gait, her eyes already on all the cords keeping me in place. “It’ll–be

a question, but an order in that

edge of the bed, her movements careful and deliberate. A sharp twinge of “pain stabs through my

side, and I

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

wave of pain to recede as she opens a clear package of giant yellow socks. They have little rubbery circles

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<

Ava: Missing,

keep me

my feet against the floor. It’s tile, yet the cold doesn’t reach through

I love them more than anything I’ve ever worn.

walk on.

the metal rod for support as I heave myself into a standing position, taking

ambitious movement.