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

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

the shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue eyes

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

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

Lucas plays vigilant

Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

if I don’t feel like

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 show. Always the consummate professional, that

towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this place is too soft,

I miss Ava.

finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always

the world around her.

halls, see them in the sidelong glances thrown my way. The Blackwood

Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare, even

of movement in the shadows. He’s been training

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

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

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

too busy to do the

as I wish, but I’m always followed

Always.

his usual spot by Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes bloodshot and weary.

change?” I ask, though I

head. “Nothing yet.

come back to us.”

take my usual seat on the other side of

moment now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes about how we

She hasn’t for three

on the bed, curling up at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more

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