Tangled

111 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

LISA

Three fucking weeks.

No matter how many times I count, it’s been three fucking weeks.

The calendar on my wall mocks me, today’s date staring me in the face from any particular point of my

kitchen.

Selene whines when I nearly step on her paw for the third time this morning. “Sorry, girl. Give me a second, and we’ll go see her.”

I’m drenched in sweat. Jericho hasn’t blinked a single eyelash over Ava being in the hospital, and we’ve all settled into a new kind of normal.

It’s not normal at all, but it’s life now. At least until Ava

wakes up again.

I’m stronger. Fastér, though nothing compared to these shifters who surround me. I’m learning some basic self–defense, and Selene has helped with the hands–on training to evade and defend against wolf

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111 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

attacks.

I have bruises and wounds everywhere, and a few of them have even gotten infected, but Healer Vanessa is a godsend who always has some magical cream on her somewhere. Antibacterial, antifungal, prevents scarring, and smells divine. I have no idea why they

it in the

be able to keep up with the demand. For all I know, it probably reduces wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they don’t need wrinkle cream. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

Selene’s reproachful blue eyes watching

a blistering reminder of just how tense I’ve been. I want to scream. I want to cry. I

he was even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in

around much lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I

Ava’s Absence

has every responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this new world

since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep

shut off the water and step out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this place

I miss Ava.

connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun is around

hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around

them whispered in the halls, see them in the sidelong glances thrown my way. The

Ava’s

in a Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare, even I

but Jericho says there’s a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever,

mamas,” he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her

her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion these past few weeks, a comforting presence in a world turned upside

me as I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for any potential threats. They ignore the guard following me in silence. I pretend

be too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little freedom to

I wish, but I’m

Always.

his usual spot by Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers.

I ask, though I already know

“Nothing yet. But she’s

back to us.”

nod, not trusting myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side

so peaceful, so still. Like she’s just sleeping, and any moment now she’ll wake up and start

she doesn’t. She hasn’t for

Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more and more lately, like she’s

closing my eyes for a moment. I’m so tired, so fucking tired of all of