Tangled

110 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (III)

Lucas’s shoulders stiffen, and he turns to look at the

healer with a frown. “Still no answers?” he asks, his voice rough with disuse.

Vanessa sighs, her expression sympathetic. “I’m sorry, Alpha. We’re doing everything we can.”

Lucas nods curtly and turns back to Ava, his brow furrowed in thought. Vanessa catches my eye over his shoulder and gives me a subtle shake of her head.

At first, I’m confused. But then it hits me–she must be trying to tell me that Ava isn’t pregnant. A wave of relief washes over me, followed immediately by a pang of guilt. I shouldn’t be happy about this, not when Ava is still lying there unresponsive.

But at least it’s one less thing to worry about. One less complication in an already tangled web.

I slump back in my chair, suddenly exhausted. It’s been a long day, and the emotional roller coaster has taken. its toll. I close my eyes, just for a moment, and let the steady rhythm of Ava’s heartbeat lull me into a light

doze.

1/6

110 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (1)

I’m not sure how much time passes before I’m startled awake by a soft knock at the door. Vanessa pokes her head in, her expression apologetic.

“Sorry to disturb you,” she says, keeping her voice low. “But I thought you might want to know–Kellan just arrived with Ava’s dog.”

I sit up straighter, blinking the sleep from my eyes.

“Selene’s here?”

the waiting room. I

still staring at Ava, but I can see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands clench and unclench around

he’s not protesting.

think it would be good for her,” I say, since

room, a scrawny silver husky trailing behind him on a leash. For a moment, I’m not sure

and late

210

C

Lisa Ava’s Absence

that breaks

lunges forward, nearly yanking the leash out of Kellan’s grip. She scrambles

tries to get closer to Ava. Lucas starts to rise from his chair, his hand outstretched to shoo the dog away, but I’m faster.

grabbing his wrist. His skin is hot beneath my fingers, and I can feel the tension thrumming through him like a live wire. “I think… I think it might be good for her. To have Selene close.” I can’t admit why, but I can at least try

stutter in my chest. Oh God. What have I done? The look on his face… it’s like he’s

now. Not when Ava needs me.

on his wrist even

“Just let her

moment Lear

I

Ava’s

tightly I’m afraid

Then, slowly, he raises his free hand, and I brace myself for

it never

to her feet on the bed. She’s standing over Ava’s unconscious form, her hackles raised and her lips pulled back in a snarl. And she’s not just protecting Ava–she’s protecting me

breathe. Lucas and Selene stare each other down,

in Lucas’s arm bunch beneath my fingers, and for a second, I’m sure he’s going

His eyes never leave Selene’s, but

out, his voice tight with

rage. “The dog can stay. For now.”