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

wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they don’t

into the shower, with Selene’s

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

scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn my rage.

Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has

Ava’s Absence

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

hasn’t seen her mate, 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

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

I miss Ava.

a trio whose first priority is

the world around her. And the rumors are already

them in the sidelong glances thrown my way. The

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare, even

a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me

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

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 down.

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

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

but I’m always followed by

Always.

his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes

though I already know the answer.

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

come back to us.”

on the other side

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

she doesn’t. She hasn’t

been doing that more

moment. I’m so tired, so fucking tired