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?”

waiting room. I can bring her in, if you’d like.”

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

he’s not protesting.

for her,” I say, since he seems content with letting me make the decision.

I’m not sure if it’s really Selene–she looks thinner

in the hoonital had and late out a high–nitshad

210

C

Ava’s Absence (1)

breaks

can react, Selene lunges forward, nearly yanking the leash out of

Ava. Lucas starts to rise

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

something dark and dangerous. A growl rumbles low in his throat, and I feel my heart stutter in my chest. Oh God. What have I done? The look on his face…

down now. Not when Ava needs

even as my hand trembles. “Please,” I

“Just let her

a moment

I

Ava’s

jaw clenched so tightly

a tooth. Then, slowly, he raises his free hand, and

never

form, her hackles raised and her

thick I can barely breathe. Lucas and Selene stare each

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

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

he grits out, his voice tight with

“The dog can stay. For