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.

but I can see the tension in his jaw,

he’s not

it would be good 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 than I

hoonital had and late

210

C

Lisa Ava’s Absence

breaks my

yanking the

tries to get closer to Ava. Lucas starts to

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 to

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… it’s like he’s barely holding himself back

can’t back down now. Not

even as

“Just let her

a moment Lear

I

Lisa: Ava’s

his jaw clenched so tightly I’m afraid he

raises his free hand, and I brace myself for the

never comes.

risen 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 too,

room falls silent, the tension so thick I can barely breathe. Lucas and Selene stare each other down, husky to wolf. And Selene’s

and for a second, I’m sure he’s going to lunge for

His eyes never leave Selene’s, but he lowers his hand, his fingers uncurling from the fist he’d been making.

grits out, his voice tight with barely

“The dog can