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 the human markets.

they’d never 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 early

shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue

I’ve been. I want to scream. I want

as scary as Lucas, but just high

lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the

Ava’s

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

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

wrapping myself in a towel that feels too

I miss Ava.

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

lying in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the

whispered in the halls, see them in

Ava’s Absence

It’s a political nightmare, even

lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been

he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And

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 turned upside

way down to 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 the guard following me in silence. I pretend not

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

I wish, but I’m always followed by

Always.

Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks

ask, though I already know the answer.

shakes his head. “Nothing

back

other side

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

hasn’t

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

my eyes for a moment. I’m