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
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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
about Selene. These
secrets.
the secret means Ava never wakes up? the
I don’t know.
there isn’t much
Mom’s changed our group chat name from My Happy Randalls to Empty Nest Randalls
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Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
I was
account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to
City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t
Maybe. But there’s been so
even worried about
Wait. Pregnant.
ever get an answer on that?
she be
be
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 pregnancies rises in my throat,
bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack,
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3/0
Ava’s
werewolf, who by the way wasn’t you,
That’s not
mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to that topic. There
with her lying so still and pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could
He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his
I can’t put this
be someone else who can help, someone who knows about shifter biology
Vanessa.
15.20
Lisa Ava’s
name pops into my head, 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
soft kiss to the back of Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though I
I get the sense that he’s aware of my every move. It’s unnerving, but also strangely comforting. At least I know
of Ava’s hand, I slip out of the room, letting the door click shut softly behind me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against
think. Or maybe
figuring I can
Lisa Ava’s
with questions and worries, each one more unsettling than the last.
it’s not pregnancy, then what is it? What could possibly
my arms around myself,
okay, Ava. Please wake up.
and nearly collide with someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips, but it dies in my throat when
Vanessa.
her eyes widening as she takes in my disheveled appearance. “Miss
my mouth, but no words come out. Suddenly, all of my carefully planned questions
throat.
16:26
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