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 can bring her in, if you’d like.”

but I can see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands clench and

he’s not

since

leash. For a moment, I’m not sure if it’s really Selene–she looks thinner than I remember from pictures, her fur matted and dull.

had and late out a high–nitshad

210

C

Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)

that breaks my heart.

nearly yanking

sheets as she tries to get closer to Ava. Lucas starts to rise from his chair, his hand outstretched to shoo the dog away, but

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

my heart stutter in my chest. Oh God. What have I done? The look on his

back down now. Not when Ava

grip tightening on his wrist even as my hand trembles. “Please,” I whisper, my

“Just let her

a moment Lear

I

Lisa: Ava’s

his jaw clenched so tightly I’m afraid

free hand, and

it never

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 too,

the tension so thick I can barely breathe. Lucas and Selene stare each other down, husky

feel the muscles in Lucas’s arm bunch beneath my fingers, and for a

takes a step back. His eyes never leave Selene’s, but he lowers his hand, his fingers uncurling from the

grits out, his voice

can