Tangled

144 Ava: Searching for a Candle

144 Ava: Searching for a Candle

It takes a little more effort than I expected to convince Dr. Beaumont to discharge me home, but after

promising up and down to let Vanessa visit twice a day for bloodwork and vitals, I finally get my way.

Lucas treats me like a fragile vase on the way to the apartment, worrying over leaving me in Lisa’s place alone. He’s not thrilled that I refuse to go to the alpha lodge in the wake of the vampire attack, and it feels like the entire apartment building is filled with wolf shifters in suits, glowering at everyone who passes by.

But I still count it as a win.

I can’t believe two healthy adult women in their twenties don’t have a single candle in their apartment. Selene noses open a cabinet to sniff inside, before clicking her nails across the kitchen to another one. Nothing here.

As she checks the lower cabinets, I shove my way through our everything drawer, only coming up with a small lighter. Helpful, but only half of what I need.

I even check the pantry, but there’s no waxy pillar to

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184 Asa Searching for a Candle

be found.

Going behind Selene, I double check where she’s already looked, ignoring her half–offended snort when I come up as empty as she did.

I told you, there are no candles. My nose works quicker and better than your eyes.

We’ve already checked Lisa’s room and mine. Not a single candle to be had.

How are we out of candles? At the bare minimum, we should have some handy in case the electricity ever goes out.

I stalk to the bathroom, flinging open drawers. “Where

the hell are the candles?”

Selene opens the linen cabinet with a deft paw, shoving her head inside to sniff.

It’s all towels, of course.

And shampoo.

And soap.

make her sneeze.

shut. “We didn’t buy

17:30 *

to access

Avd Searching fa

of all the wolves around. Scented stuff bothers your noses.”

TV, the girls are always

too much TV. It’s going to rot your brain.”

just fine.

sometimes…

cabinet under the sink. Jackpot. I pull out

her nose for a quick sniff, sneezing again. It smells terrible. Nothing like

the door startles us both, and I set the candle aside. I’ll have to call

swing it open, unsurprised to find Lucas standing there, hands shoved in his pockets

been gone long, though.

ask, as my

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Ava Searching for

from his presence.

since dancing with Teddy, since realizing that no other person can make me feel what Lucas

I never put up walls at

current situation, I’d probably throw myself at

have loved that.

absence, I reach for Lucas‘ hand and pull him inside, not missing

like shit when I realize how

reached out to him. How much I’ve pushed him

away.

is patient, Selene says, sounding as if she’d rather be murdered than admit it.

slide through mine as he shuts

Searching for

wasn’t sure how you would handle being here alone.”

been just fine–because I was busy hunting down

because it is. I don’t like looking around and knowing that Lisa isn’t here. “But

were attacked, Ava. Vampires invaded my territory. Attacked my mate.” His jaw clenches. “I couldn’t be there to protect you, but I can at least be here so you’re not alone. I won’t drag you to the alpha lodge, if this is where you want to be. But I don’t feel right leaving you here without

take care of myself, but

course I’m scared. I’m

went from feeling safe and thinking Lucas and Kellan were worrywarts,

678

Av Soarching for

by a vampire.

a supernatural doesn’t prepare

that.

are so closed off from society, it’s like they