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 the human

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

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

tense I’ve been. I want to scream. I

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

the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has every right to be

Lisa: Ava’s

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

the same boat. 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

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

I miss Ava.

here. We should be connected, a trio whose first

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

halls, see them

Lisa: Ava’s

Westwood hospital. It’s a political

of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me how to defend

told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her best

top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion these past few weeks,

I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for any potential threats. They ignore the

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

wish, but

Always.

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

change?” I ask, though I already know

his head. “Nothing yet. But she’s

come back to us.”

my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand

she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes about

doesn’t. She hasn’t for three

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

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