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.

Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

Now to wait.

my neck. Memories of the past few days flood my

And my mate.

still feels foreign, even as it ignites a

me. So much has happened.

ago, I was indignant at his

as he tried to

caving too

chance, nothing can happen until I talk

Missing, AGAIN

And even then…

are other secrets. Like my

like there are a thousand reasons against.

an exercise in

quilt, because I have no ring to twirl. Every steady beep from the machines around me only amplifies the anxious, never–ending cycle of worry

ring, what will happen to

me?

will the

that I’m different?

are no signs–but, I just had my heat a few weeks ago, with Clayton.

my powers begin to manifest against

door opening forces me out of the vicious cycle of questions with no answers, and I feel hope rise in

the look on the nurse’s face.

418

Ava: Missing, AGAIN

dear,” she says. “The security team hasn’t called back yet. It might take some time.”

worry bounces around in my belly, like a hyperactive

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 good for your recovery.”

a question, but an order

the bed, her movements careful and deliberate. A

and

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

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

5/8

<

Missing,

keep me from slipping.

yet

now, I love them more than

walk on.

as I heave myself into a standing position, taking in deep gasps of air

ambitious movement.