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

age well, though, so who

shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue

reminder of just how tense I’ve been. I want to scream.

Lucas, but just

too 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

responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I

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

in a towel that feels

I miss Ava.

connected, a trio

to the world around her. And the rumors are

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

Ava’s

unconscious in a Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare, even I can see that.

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

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

waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion these

could walk it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes

too busy to do the pick ups

but

Always.

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

change?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

his head. “Nothing yet.

come back to

myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand

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

she doesn’t. She hasn’t for three fucking

been doing that more and more lately, like she’s trying to protect her.

closing my eyes for a moment. I’m so tired,