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
just tell them about Selene.
secrets.
keeping the secret means Ava never wakes up? the logical side of me
I don’t know.
because there isn’t
group
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Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
her I
bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but
thing for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t be here
been so much
even worried about being pregnant.
Wait. Pregnant.
ever get an answer
be
that be why?
thought settles like 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, it’s suffocating. The urge to ask him about shifter pregnancies rises in my throat, but I swallow it back down.
you even bring up that kind of question? Hey,
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Ava’s
who by the way wasn’t you, cause a girl
no. That’s not
but we never really circled back to that
so still and pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the reason behind all
bring myself to ask Lucas directly. He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his eyes never leaving Ava’s face, his hand
can’t put this on
has to be someone else who can help, someone who knows about shifter biology
Vanessa.
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Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
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 my
hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me. “Just gonna go ask Vanessa a
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 to
The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white
Or maybe right?
choose left, figuring I can always backtrack
Ava’s
walk, my mind churns with questions and
it? What could possibly cause her to
spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden
be okay, Ava.
I stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips, but it dies
Vanessa.
as she takes
all of my carefully planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced by a
throat.
16:26
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