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

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 access chapters of novels early and in the highest

slip into the shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue

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

scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking

lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at

Ava’s Absence

if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this new world without any sort

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 how she’s holding up, but she never lets it show. Always the consummate professional,

towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in

I miss Ava.

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

hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And the rumors are already

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

Ava’s

It’s a political

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 any threat.

yesterday, his

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 in a world turned upside down.

The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes scanning

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

I wish, but

Always.

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

I ask, though I already know

“Nothing yet.

back

other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of

now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes

doesn’t. She hasn’t for three fucking

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

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