Tangled

109 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (II)

LISA

A knock on Vanessa’s door has me jumping.

The healer reaches over to pat my hand again. “Don’t worry, dear. It’s just the pack beta. Come in, Kellan.”

The door swings open and Kellan strides in like he owns the place. Damn, why does he have to look like that? All broad shoulders and stubble along his jaw. And his hair is always a tousled mess, like those old romance movies with teen heartthrobs. I love those movies, and he’s got that dirty blond heartbreaker look down to every tiny detail.

I tear my gaze away, cursing my weakness. This is so not the time to be noticing Kellan’s undeniable hotness. I have got to get a handle on my weakness for

sexy men.

“Healer Vanessa,” he greets with a polite nod before those piercing gray eyes land on me. “Lisa, we need to head back to your apartment. Lucas brought a dog

home.”

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109 Lisa Ava’s Absence (b))

Is he serious right now? Rage flares hot in my veins. “Are you kidding me? You want me to go take care of some random dog while my best friend is lying unconscious in a hospital bed?”

Kellan blinks, taken aback. “It’s Ava’s dog. Lucas thought-”

“Oh, I’m sure Lucas thought a lot of things. And you just go along with it, don’t you? Never mind what I might want.” The words pour out of me in a furious torrent, all the fear and frustration bubbling over. “You’re always making these executive decisions without even asking. Newsflash, Kellan–the world doesn’t revolve around you and your precious Alpha!”

Vanessa’s eyes widen as she watches my tirade. Kellan just stares, his mouth slightly agape. I’m breathing hard, hands clenched into fists.

“I… I didn’t mean…” Kellan clears his throat, shifting on his feet. “Lisa, I’m just trying to look out for Ava’s best interests here.”

“And you think hers align with yours?” I scoff. “Please. You don’t know the first thing about what Ava needs right now.”

27

Ava’s Absence

annoyance starting

shoulders, meeting his glare head–on. “She needs support. Compassion. Not to be treated

“That’s not-”

Lucas seem to care about is this fated mate bond bullshit. Never mind Ava’s autonomy or how it might make her feel to have her choices

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. The bond

I’m staying right here until Ava wakes up. If

to run,” Kellan says through gritted teeth. “In case you’ve forgotten, we’re in the

a river.” I roll my eyes.

fine without ma”

Gina

Ava’s

glare at each other, the tension crackling

her voice soothing. “Kellan, why don’t you see to the dog for now? And Lisa can stay

condition.”

of leaving her at the apartment. Ava’s

nostrils flare, but he gives a curt nod.

course,” the sweet–tempered healer

direction, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks out, slamming

exhausted.

a hint of amusement

tone.

a laugh. “A little, yeah. God, he just gets

akin aomatimor”

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Ava’s Absence (11)

see that.” Her eyes twinkle. “Though I suspect there might be more to it

her. “What’s that supposed

shrugs, a knowing smile playing at her lips.

stop you there. Yes, Kellan’s hot. Like, super hot. I’d have to be blind not to notice. But I want nothing to do with his egotistical ass. He never considers other

pats my hand yet again, but

I don’t scowl. If I do, I’ll come off as a bratty teen,

room. Lucas is still there, looming over her bed like some brooding shadow of a man. His eyes never leave her face. The intensity

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