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 Selene. These are
secrets.
if keeping the secret means Ava never wakes up? the
I don’t know.
there isn’t much to say.
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
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Ava’s Absence
I
bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let me
here in Granite City, and
Maybe. But there’s been so
worried about being pregnant.
Wait. Pregnant.
she ever get an answer on that?
be
that be
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
even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you don’t know
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Ava’s Absence
knocked up by a werewolf, who by the way wasn’t you, cause a
no. That’s
never really circled back to that topic. There was always something else going on, some new
her lying so still and pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be
together as it is, his eyes never leaving Ava’s face, his hand gripping hers like he’s trying to anchor her to
can’t put this on him. Not
someone else who can help, someone who knows about shifter
Vanessa.
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Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
latch onto it like a lifeline. She’s the healer who’s been taking care of Ava, the
Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me. “Just gonna go ask Vanessa a few
he’s aware of my every move.
fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor. I take
think. Or maybe right?
figuring I can always backtrack if I need
Ava’s
churns with questions and worries, each
not pregnancy, then what is it? What could
spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that seems to have seeped
okay, Ava. Please wake
stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips, but
Vanessa.
eyes widening as she takes in my disheveled appearance.
come out. Suddenly, all of my carefully planned questions seem
throat.
16:26
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