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 human

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

shower, with Selene’s

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

even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just

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

running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this

the pack called Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I

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

I miss Ava.

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

the world around her. And the rumors are

see them in the sidelong

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

a Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare,

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

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

tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant

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

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

around as I wish, but I’m always

Always.

bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He

I ask, though I already

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

come back to us.”

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

and any moment now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes about how we all look like shit.

hasn’t for

the bed, curling up at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more and more lately, like she’s trying to

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