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
secrets.
the secret means Ava never wakes up? the logical
I don’t know.
stay silent, because there
family. My parents 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 in there since the day I
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Ava’s
her I was moving.
my bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about
me here in Granite City, and now I’m
there’s been so
worried about
Wait. Pregnant.
get an answer
she be
be
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,
even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the
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Lisa: Ava’s
friend. Quick question, could getting knocked up by a werewolf, who by the way
That’s not happening.
never
against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the reason behind all of this.
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
put this on him. Not
has to be someone else who can help,
Vanessa.
15.20
Ava’s Absence (1)
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
press a soft kiss to the back of Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t
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 while I’m
lights casting a harsh glare against
I think. Or maybe
choose left, figuring I can always backtrack if I
Ava’s Absence
with questions and worries, each one
then what is it? What could possibly cause her
my arms around myself, trying to ward
Ava. Please wake
nearly collide with someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips, but it dies in my
Vanessa.
her eyes widening as she takes in my disheveled appearance. “Miss
but no words come out. Suddenly, all of my carefully planned questions seem to
throat.
16:26
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