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

with the demand. 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

with Selene’s reproachful blue eyes watching

I’ve been. I want

as Lucas, but just high

Westwood pack while Lucas plays vigilant mate at the hospital.

Lisa: Ava’s Absence (IV)

Kellan has every responsibility to keep things running smoothly. But fuck if I

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

wrapping myself in a towel that feels too soft against my skin. Everything in this

I miss Ava.

connected, a trio

in a hospital bed, unresponsive to the world around her. And the rumors

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

Lisa: Ava’s

Westwood hospital. It’s a political nightmare,

Jericho says there’s a lot of movement in the shadows. He’s been training me harder than ever, teaching me how

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

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

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

be too busy to do the pick ups

around as I wish, but I’m always

Always.

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

change?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

his head. “Nothing yet. But

come back to

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

looks so peaceful, so still. Like she’s just sleeping, and any moment now she’ll wake up and

she doesn’t. She hasn’t for

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

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