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

reduces wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe they don’t need wrinkle cream.

into the shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue

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

Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn my

Lucas plays vigilant mate

Ava’s Absence (IV)

But fuck if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in this new

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

wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft

I miss Ava.

be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what

the world around her. And the rumors

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

Ava’s Absence

hospital. It’s a

shadows. He’s been training

their mamas,” he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re

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 hospital, the route so familiar now 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 ignore the guard following me in silence. I pretend not to notice him, too.

do the pick ups and

I wish, but I’m always followed by

Always.

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

change?” I ask, though I already know the

shakes his head. “Nothing yet. But she’s

back

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

still. Like she’s just sleeping, and any moment now she’ll wake up and start cracking jokes about

She hasn’t for three

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

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