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

it in the

so who knows. Maybe they

into the shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue eyes

tense I’ve been. I want to scream. I

if he was even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn

around much lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital.

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

fuck if I

not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I can’t even imagine how she’s holding up, but she never lets

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

I miss Ava.

should be connected, a trio whose

to the world around her. And the rumors are already

the halls, see them in

Ava’s Absence (IV)

It’s a

the shadows. He’s

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

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

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

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

as I wish, but

Always.

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

though I

shakes his head. “Nothing yet.

come back to us.”

not trusting myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair

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

She hasn’t

feet. She’s been doing that more and more

moment. I’m so tired, so fucking tired