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

15:28

117

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 the

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

shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue eyes watching me.

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

Kellan, if he was even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just

too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do.

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

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

She 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

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

I miss Ava.

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

hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And

them

Ava’s Absence

It’s a political nightmare, even I can see

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

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

waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the

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.

easier that way. Kellan might be too busy to do the pick ups and

but

Always.

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

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

shakes his head. “Nothing

come back to

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

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

She hasn’t for three

She’s been doing that more and more lately, like she’s trying to

lean back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I’m so tired, so