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?”

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

over at Lucas, gauging his reaction. He’s still staring at Ava, but I can see the

not

say, since he seems content

on a leash. For a moment, I’m not sure

the hoonital had and

210

C

Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)

breaks my heart.

react, Selene lunges forward, nearly yanking the leash out of Kellan’s grip.

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

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,

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

down now. Not

hard, my grip tightening on his wrist even as my

“Just let her stay.”

moment Lear

I

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

so tightly I’m

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

never

bed. She’s standing over Ava’s unconscious form, her hackles raised and her lips

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

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

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

his voice

can