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
secrets.
keeping the secret means Ava never wakes up? the logical
I don’t know.
I stay silent, because there isn’t much
parents are still pissed at me, I’m pretty sure. Mom’s changed our group chat name from My Happy
16-20
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Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
I
in my bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let me go
and now I’m terrified that she won’t
Maybe. But there’s been so much lately…
even worried about being pregnant.
Wait. Pregnant.
an
be pregnant?
that be why?
with Ava unconscious in the hospital bed between us, it’s suffocating. The urge to ask him about shifter pregnancies
kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you don’t
15:20
3/0
Ava’s
who by the way wasn’t you, cause a girl to go into a coma? Asking for a friend.
That’s not happening.
mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to that topic. There was always something else going on, some
pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that
is, his eyes never leaving Ava’s
can’t put this on him. Not now.
who can help, someone who knows about shifter biology and pregnancies.
Vanessa.
15.20
Lisa Ava’s Absence
the healer who’s been taking care of Ava, the one with the kind eyes and
be right back,” I whisper, even though I know she
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 to Ava
the door click shut softly behind me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled
think. Or
left, figuring I can always backtrack if
Lisa Ava’s
mind churns with questions and
could possibly cause her to just collapse like this?
my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that seems to have seeped into
okay, Ava. Please
round a corner, and nearly collide with someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips, but
Vanessa.
looks just as surprised as I feel, her eyes widening as
planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced by a thick,
throat.
16:26
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