108 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (I)
LISA
Lucas is bigger than I thought he’d be.
The thought comes randomly as I stare at him across Ava’s bed. He never spares me a glance; he’s attuned to her every breath. There’s pain etched across his face that makes my heart ache for him.
I’m hurting, too. But this fated mate connection that
shifters have…
It’s on another level.
Kissing the back of Ava’s hand, I lower my head to pray for the hundredth time today.
Dear Lord, please hear my prayer. I know I don’t go to church and I don’t follow your commandments. I know
I’m a terrible Christian. I’m not even sure I am
Christian. But I know you’re supposed to care about all of us, so please–if you’re listening–please, save Ava.
She deserves so much more than this.
Of course, there’s no answer. Half of me is hoping for a miracle, but the other half knows the prayer’s
15:25
1/9
108 Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
pointless.
There’s nothing any of us can do.
The doctors are confused. All they can say is that she’s stable and should wake up when she’s ready.
But why is she even in this bed in the first place?
We didn’t do anything extra strenuous.
She’s been healing fine.
So why?
Vanessa’s words about Ava’s wolf have me worried, but
tell them about Selene. These are Ava’s
secrets.
never wakes up? the logical side of me whispers.
I don’t know.
stay silent, because there isn’t much
still pissed at me, I’m pretty sure. Mom’s changed our group
16-20
2/9
Lisa Ava’s Absence
I was
not thrilled, but he’s not about to
here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t
there’s been so
worried about
Wait. Pregnant.
she ever get an answer on that?
be pregnant?
be
my stomach as I glance toward Lucas. His presence is intimidating on a good day, but right now, with Ava unconscious in the hospital bed between us, it’s suffocating. The urge to ask
bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you don’t know
15:20
3/0
Lisa: Ava’s
best friend. Quick question, could getting knocked up by a werewolf, who by the way wasn’t you, cause a girl to go into a coma? Asking for
That’s
the question lingers, nagging at the back of my mind. Ava mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to that
can’t help
I can’t bring myself to ask Lucas directly. He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his eyes never leaving Ava’s face, his hand gripping
I can’t put this on
there has to be someone else who can help, someone
Vanessa.
15.20
Lisa Ava’s
Ava, the one with the kind eyes and gentle voice. If anyone can answer
to the back of Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me. “Just gonna go ask
me, but I get the sense that he’s aware of my every move. It’s unnerving, but also strangely comforting. At least I know he’s not going to let anything happen
me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor. I take a
I think. Or maybe right?
can always backtrack
Ava’s Absence (1)
questions and worries, each one
it’s not pregnancy, then what is it? What could possibly cause
down my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that seems to have
Ava. Please wake
back, an apology already forming on my
Vanessa.
just as surprised as I feel, her eyes widening as she takes in my disheveled
planned questions seem to have
throat.
16:26
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