Tangled

Chapter 108

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

can’t just tell them about

secrets.

Ava never wakes up? the logical side of me whispers.

I don’t know.

I stay silent, because there

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 sad emoji, and she hasn’t spoken

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Ava’s Absence

I was moving.

money in my bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let me go homeless or anything.

the only thing for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t be here

But there’s been

worried about

Wait. Pregnant.

she ever get an answer

she be

be why?

lead weight in 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 him about shifter

you even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha

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Ava’s Absence (1)

friend. Quick question, could getting knocked up by a werewolf, who by the way

no. That’s

about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to

against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the reason

Lucas directly. He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his eyes never leaving Ava’s face, his hand gripping hers like he’s trying to anchor her to this world through sheer

this on him. Not now.

there has to be someone else who can help, someone

Vanessa.

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Ava’s Absence

and I latch onto it like a lifeline. She’s the healer who’s been taking care of Ava, the one with the kind eyes and gentle voice. If anyone can answer my questions without making me feel

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me. “Just gonna go ask Vanessa

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

fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor. I take

think. Or maybe

I can always backtrack if I

Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)

with questions and worries, each one more unsettling than

then what is it? What could possibly cause her to

sends chill down my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the

Ava. Please

round a corner, and nearly collide with someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on

Vanessa.

surprised as I feel, her eyes widening as she takes

carefully planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced by a thick, choking lump

throat.

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