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
about Selene. These are Ava’s
secrets.
the secret means Ava never wakes
I don’t know.
I stay silent, because there isn’t
changed our group
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Ava’s Absence (1)
her I was moving.
week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let me go
thing for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t be
there’s been so
about being pregnant.
Wait. Pregnant.
get an answer on
she be pregnant?
that be why?
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
you even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you
15:20
3/0
Ava’s
the way wasn’t you, cause a girl
no. That’s not happening.
at the back of my mind. Ava mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to that topic. There was always something else going on, some new crisis.
pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the reason behind all
directly. He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his eyes never leaving Ava’s face, his hand gripping hers
I can’t put this on him. Not
else who can help,
Vanessa.
15.20
Ava’s
lifeline. She’s the healer who’s been taking care of Ava, the one
back,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me.
Lucas. He doesn’t acknowledge 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
hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor. I take a moment to
think. Or
I can always backtrack
Lisa Ava’s
with questions and worries, each one
could possibly cause her to just collapse like this?
I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off
okay, Ava. Please wake
back, an apology already forming
Vanessa.
feel, her eyes widening as she takes in my disheveled appearance. “Miss Randall? Is everything alright?”
Suddenly, all of my carefully planned questions seem to have vanished,
throat.
16:26
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