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
1/9
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.
if keeping the secret means Ava never wakes up? the logical side of me whispers.
I don’t know.
there
group chat name from My Happy Randalls to Empty Nest Randalls with a sad emoji, and she hasn’t spoken in there
16-20
2/9
Ava’s
her I was moving.
bank account every week. He’s not thrilled, but he’s not about to let me go
and now I’m terrified that she
Maybe. But there’s been so much lately…
worried about being
Wait. Pregnant.
ever get an answer
be pregnant?
that be
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
you even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha
15:20
3/0
Lisa: 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.
but we never really circled back to that topic. There was always something else going on, some new crisis. to deal with.
white hospital sheets, I can’t help
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 anchor her to this world
can’t put this
help, someone who
Vanessa.
15.20
Lisa Ava’s Absence
healer who’s been taking care of Ava, the one with the kind eyes
soft kiss to the back of Ava’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” I whisper, even though
of my every move. It’s unnerving, but also strangely comforting. At least
of the room, letting the door click shut softly behind me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor. I take a moment to orient myself, trying to remember which way
I think. Or maybe
I can
Ava’s
my mind churns with questions and worries, each
pregnancy, then what is it? What could possibly cause her
sends chill down my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to
Ava. Please
other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on
Vanessa.
eyes widening as
all of my carefully planned questions seem to have vanished, replaced
throat.
16:26
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