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
just tell them about Selene. These
secrets.
Ava never wakes up? the logical side of
I don’t know.
stay silent, because there
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 in there since
16-20
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Ava’s Absence (1)
her I was moving.
every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let me
the only thing for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t
been so much
about being pregnant.
Wait. Pregnant.
ever get an answer
be
that be
a 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,
you even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you
15:20
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Ava’s Absence
the way wasn’t you, cause a
That’s not
of my mind. Ava mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back
pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder
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
can help, someone who knows
Vanessa.
15.20
Lisa Ava’s Absence
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
back,”
straighten 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 strangely comforting. At least I know he’s not going to let anything happen
door click shut softly behind me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a
I think. Or
I can always backtrack
Ava’s
walk, my mind churns with questions and worries, each one more unsettling
pregnancy, then what is it? What could
arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that seems to have seeped into
be okay, Ava.
other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips, but it dies in my throat when I see
Vanessa.
as surprised as I feel, her eyes widening as she takes in my disheveled appearance.
out. Suddenly, all of my carefully planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced by a
throat.
16:26
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