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.

because 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

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

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

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

hasn’t been around much lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it,

Ava’s

Kellan has every responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel

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. I can’t even imagine how she’s holding up, but she never lets it

wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft

I miss Ava.

here with me. Selene’s finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun is around

she’s lying in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And the rumors are already flying.

them in the

Ava’s Absence

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

in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me how to defend myself

told me yesterday, his

tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion

it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for

to do the pick ups and drop

as I wish, but I’m always followed

Always.

in his usual spot by Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I

change?” I ask, though I already know the

head. “Nothing yet.

back to

nod, 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 from Ava’s face.

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

She hasn’t for three

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

a moment.