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
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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
just tell them about Selene. These are Ava’s
secrets.
means Ava never wakes up? the
I don’t know.
silent, because there isn’t
are still pissed at me, I’m pretty sure. Mom’s changed our group chat name from My Happy Randalls to Empty Nest Randalls with a
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Ava’s
I was moving.
puts money in my bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let
for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t be here
But there’s been so
worried about
Wait. Pregnant.
ever get an answer on
she be pregnant?
that be
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 him about shifter pregnancies rises in my throat,
that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you don’t
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Lisa: Ava’s Absence
friend. Quick question, could getting knocked up by a werewolf, who by the way wasn’t you, cause a girl
no. That’s not
but we never really
and pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the
ask Lucas directly. He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his
I can’t put this
has to be someone else who can help, someone who knows about shifter biology
Vanessa.
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Lisa Ava’s Absence
been taking care of Ava, the one with the kind eyes and gentle
the back of Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I
up, my gaze flickering to Lucas. He doesn’t acknowledge me, but I get the sense that he’s aware of my every move. It’s unnerving, but also
The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting
Or maybe
left, figuring I can always
Ava’s Absence (1)
mind churns with questions and worries, each one more
then what is it? What could possibly cause her
wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that seems to have seeped
be okay, Ava. Please wake up.
with someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming
Vanessa.
I feel, her eyes widening as she takes in my
of my carefully planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced by a thick, choking lump in my
throat.
16:26
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