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

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

into the shower, with Selene’s

reminder of just how tense I’ve been.

even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but

pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital. I get it, I do. Lucas has

Ava’s Absence (IV)

and Kellan has every responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I

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

in a towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this

I miss Ava.

me. Selene’s finally here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun is around the

the world

whispered in the halls, see them in the

Ava’s

It’s a political nightmare, even I can

there’s a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me how

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

leggings and a 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

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

too busy to do the pick ups and drop offs, giving me a

as I wish, but

Always.

hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks

I

head. “Nothing yet.

come back to us.”

take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Ava’s

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

She hasn’t for three fucking weeks.

up on the bed, curling up at Ava’s feet. She’s been doing that more and more lately, like she’s trying to protect her.

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