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.”

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Lisa Ava’s Absence (II)

out, annoyance

“She needs support. Compassion. Not to be treated like

“That’s not-”

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

know what you’re talking about. The

soulmate spiel. I’m not buying it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m staying right here until Ava wakes up.

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

me a river.” I roll my eyes. “I’m

fine without ma”

Gina

Lisa Ava’s

at each other, the tension crackling between us. Vanessa clears her throat.

you see to the dog for now? And Lisa can stay

condition.”

sharply, “Maybe bring her here instead of leaving her at the apartment. Ava’s missed her. It

a curt

sweet–tempered healer

heel and stalks out, slamming the door behind him. I slump back in my chair, suddenly

exhausted.

asks, a hint of amusement in her

tone.

laugh. “A little, yeah. God, he just

akin aomatimor”

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Ava’s Absence (11)

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

my eyes at her.

a knowing smile playing at her lips. “Nothing, dear. Just

hold up both hands. “Let me stop you there. Yes, Kellan’s hot. Like, super hot. I’d have to be blind not to notice. But

my hand yet again,

teen, instead of a grown ass woman who’s

Ava’s room. Lucas is still there, looming over her bed like some brooding shadow of a man. His eyes never leave her face. The intensity of his gaze sends a shiver down my

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