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?”

room. I can bring

his reaction. He’s still staring at Ava, but I can see

he’s not

would be good for her,” I say, since he seems content with

on a 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

and late out

210

C

Lisa Ava’s Absence

that breaks my heart.

forward, nearly yanking the leash out of

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

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

flashing with something dark and dangerous. A growl rumbles low in his throat, and I feel my heart stutter in my chest. Oh God. What have

back down now.

grip tightening on his wrist even as

“Just let

moment

I

Ava’s

his jaw clenched so tightly I’m afraid he might

he raises his free hand, and

never

over Ava’s unconscious form, her hackles raised and her lips

the tension so thick I can barely breathe. Lucas and

Lucas’s arm bunch beneath my fingers, and for

never leave Selene’s, but he lowers his hand, his fingers uncurling from

his voice tight with barely

dog can stay.