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

in the

too. Shifters age well, though, so who

the shower, with 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 want to punch something.

Kellan, if he was even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just

pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has every right to

Lisa: Ava’s

I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this new world

hasn’t seen her mate, some high–up shifter in the pack called Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I can’t even imagine how she’s holding up, but she never lets

a towel that feels

I miss Ava.

with me. Selene’s finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority

to the world around her. And the rumors

can hear them whispered in the halls, see them in the

Ava’s Absence (IV)

hospital. It’s a political nightmare, even I

Jericho says there’s a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me how to defend myself

ducks to their mamas,” he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her best friend. That makes you a target.”

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

the hospital, the route so familiar now I could walk it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for any potential threats. They ignore

to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little

but I’m always followed by

Always.

Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes bloodshot and

I ask, though I already

“Nothing yet. But she’s strong.

come back

nod, not trusting myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Ava’s

Like she’s just sleeping, and any moment now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes about how

She hasn’t for three

jumps up on the bed, curling up at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that

eyes for a moment. I’m so tired, so fucking