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 are Ava’s
secrets.
if keeping the secret means Ava never wakes up? the logical side of
I don’t know.
stay silent, because there isn’t much to say.
here with little notice to my friends and 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
16-20
2/9
Ava’s
her I was moving.
not thrilled, but he’s not
for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t be here much longer.
Maybe. But there’s been so
about
Wait. Pregnant.
ever get an
she be
be
is intimidating on a good day, but right now, with Ava unconscious in
you even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack,
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Lisa: Ava’s Absence (1)
by a werewolf, who by the way wasn’t you, cause a
no. That’s
of my mind. Ava mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled
still and pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the reason behind all of this.
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
to be someone else who can help, someone who knows about shifter biology
Vanessa.
15.20
Lisa Ava’s
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 voice. If anyone can answer my questions
down to press a soft kiss to the back of Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper,
every move. It’s unnerving, but also strangely comforting. At least I know he’s not going to let anything happen to Ava
me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor.
Or
figuring I can always backtrack if I need
Ava’s Absence
churns with questions and worries, each
What could possibly cause her to just
endless, and each one sends chill down my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that seems
okay, Ava.
and nearly collide with someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology
Vanessa.
as she
all of my carefully planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced by a
throat.
16:26
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