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

it in

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

Selene’s reproachful blue eyes watching me.

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

not as scary as Lucas, but just high enough in the pecking order to earn my

running the Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate

Lisa: Ava’s Absence

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

in the pack called Vester, in two weeks, not since he left for the Blackwood territory to keep things running there. I can’t

towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this place is too soft, too luxurious.

I miss Ava.

connected, a trio whose first priority is always what fun

to the world around her. And the rumors

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

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

he told me yesterday, his scarred face grim. “And you’re her best friend. That makes you a

quickly, pulling on leggings and a tank top. Selene is waiting by the door, her tail thumping against the floor. She’s been my constant companion

walk it in my sleep. The guards nod at me as I pass, their eyes scanning

might be too busy to do the pick

but I’m always followed by

Always.

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

I ask, though I

shakes his head. “Nothing

back to us.”

I take my usual seat on the other side of the bed, reaching

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

hasn’t

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

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