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

Lisa Ava’s

grits out, annoyance starting to seep

needs support. Compassion. Not to be treated like some pawn in your pack’s

“That’s not-”

this fated mate bond bullshit. Never mind Ava’s autonomy or how it might make her feel to have her choices stripped away.”

know what you’re talking about. The

it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m

teeth. “In case you’ve forgotten, we’re in the middle of

a river.” I roll my

without

Gina

Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)

other, the tension crackling between us.

And Lisa can stay here with Ava. I’ll let you both

condition.”

if that’s really Ava’s dog,” I–cut in sharply, “Maybe bring her here instead of leaving her at the apartment. Ava’s missed her. It would

flare, but he gives a curt nod. “Fine.

sweet–tempered

one last scathing look in my direction, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks out, slamming

exhausted.

asks, a hint of amusement in

tone.

“A little, yeah.

my akin

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Ava’s Absence (11)

can see that.” Her eyes twinkle. “Though I suspect there

narrow my eyes at her. “What’s that

playing at her lips. “Nothing, dear. Just

Kellan’s hot. Like, super hot. I’d have to be blind not to notice. But

it is, dear.” Vanessa pats my hand yet again,

come off as a bratty teen, instead of a grown ass woman who’s capable

stepping back into Ava’s room. Lucas is still there, looming over her bed like some brooding shadow of a

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