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

For all I know, it probably 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

with Selene’s

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

if he was even here. He’s not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn

Lucas plays vigilant mate at the

Ava’s

Kellan has every responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I don’t feel

her mate, 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 even imagine

towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything

I miss Ava.

here. We should be connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun is around the corner.

the world around her. And the rumors are already

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

Ava’s

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

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

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

by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my

our way down to 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 pick ups and drop

wish, but I’m always followed by

Always.

by Ava’s bedside, his hand clasped tightly around hers.

though I already know the answer.

his head. “Nothing yet.

come back

nod, not trusting myself to speak. I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Ava’s face.

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

hasn’t for three

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

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