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

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

slip into the shower, with Selene’s reproachful blue eyes

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

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

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

Ava’s Absence

to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel like I’m drowning in

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

off the water and step out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels

I miss Ava.

We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is

the world around her. And the rumors are

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

Lisa: Ava’s

It’s a political nightmare,

says there’s a lot 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

the floor. She’s been my constant companion these past

nod at me as I

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

around as I wish, but I’m always followed by

Always.

is in his usual spot by Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He

I already know

shakes his head. “Nothing

back

trusting myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching

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

doesn’t. She hasn’t for

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

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