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?”

her out in the waiting room. I can bring her

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

not protesting.

since he seems content with letting me make the decision.

a leash. For a moment, I’m not sure if it’s really Selene–she looks thinner than I remember from

in the hoonital had and late

210

C

Ava’s

that breaks my

nearly yanking the leash out of Kellan’s grip. She scrambles

her paws slipping on the crisp white sheets as she tries to get closer to Ava. Lucas starts to rise from his

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 make

heart stutter in my chest. Oh God. What have I done? The look on his face… it’s like he’s barely holding

down now. Not when Ava needs me.

wrist even as my

“Just let

a moment Lear

I

Ava’s Absence

his jaw clenched so tightly I’m afraid he might

he raises his free hand,

never

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, her body angled slightly to the side to put herself between me and

barely breathe. Lucas and Selene stare each other down, husky to wolf. And Selene’s not losing.

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

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

he grits out, his voice tight with

dog can stay.