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 human markets.

probably reduces wrinkles, too. Shifters age well, though, so who knows. Maybe

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

I’ve been. I want

as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking

running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate

Lisa: Ava’s

smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel

mate, some high–up shifter in the pack called Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to

and step out, wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft

I miss Ava.

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

unresponsive to the world

halls, see them in the sidelong glances

Ava’s

a Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare, even I can see

is rallying behind Westwood, but Jericho says there’s a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s

follows the Grey girl like ducks to their mamas,” he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her best friend. That makes you a target.”

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 turned upside

I pass, their eyes scanning the hallway for any potential threats. They ignore the guard following me in silence. I

to do the pick

around as I wish, but I’m always followed

Always.

Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers. He looks up as I enter, his eyes bloodshot and weary.

I ask, though I already know the

head. “Nothing yet.

come back

side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of

and any moment now she’ll wake up

hasn’t for three fucking

jumps up on the bed, curling up at Ava’s feet. She’s been

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