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

sell it in

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 early and in

slip into the shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue eyes watching me.

tense I’ve been. I want to scream. I want

not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn

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

Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

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

the 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.

and step out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft

I miss Ava.

a trio whose

to the world around her. And the rumors

can hear them whispered in the halls, see them in

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

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

lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me

me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her best friend. That makes you a

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

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

that way. Kellan might be too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs,

I wish, but I’m

Always.

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

I ask, though I already know the

his head. “Nothing

back to

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

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

doesn’t. She hasn’t for three fucking

been doing

moment. I’m so tired, so fucking tired of all