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

15:28

117

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 human

I know, it probably reduces wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they

Selene’s reproachful blue eyes watching me.

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

He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn my rage.

running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do.

Ava’s Absence (IV)

things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this new world without any sort

same boat. She 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

and step out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in

I miss Ava.

me. Selene’s finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun is around

bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And the rumors are already flying.

see them in the sidelong glances thrown my way.

Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

in a Westwood hospital. It’s a

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

like ducks to their mamas,” he told me yesterday, his

dress quickly, pulling on leggings and a tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion these past few weeks, a comforting presence in a world

hospital, the route so familiar now I could walk it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their

easier that way. Kellan might be too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a little freedom

as I wish, but I’m always followed

Always.

hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes bloodshot

I already know

his head. “Nothing yet. But she’s strong.

come back to

my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Ava’s

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

doesn’t. She hasn’t

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

lean back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I’m