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

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

shower, with Selene’s

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

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

much lately, too busy running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has every right to

Ava’s Absence (IV)

things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this new world without

he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I

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

I miss Ava.

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

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

can hear them whispered in the halls, see them in the sidelong glances thrown my way.

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

It’s a political nightmare, even

rallying behind 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

me yesterday, his scarred face grim.

quickly, pulling on leggings and a tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the

walk it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I

might be too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving

around as I wish, but I’m always

Always.

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

ask, though I already know

his head. “Nothing yet. But

back

the other side

sleeping, and any moment now she’ll wake up and

doesn’t. She hasn’t for three fucking

at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more and more lately, like

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