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

17:39 C

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.

things that make

drawer shut. “We didn’t buy any

17:30 *

Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

fa a

all the wolves around. Scented

taken. But on TV, the girls are always taking

my eyes. “You watch too much

is just fine. Although I question

sometimes…

cabinet under the sink. Jackpot. I pull out

nose for a quick sniff, sneezing

on the door startles us both, and I set the candle aside. I’ll have to call for Sister Miriam later.

in his pockets and brows furrowed. Who else would make it

been gone

ask,

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for a Candlo

from his presence.

that no other person can make me feel what

never put up walls at all.

it wasn’t for the current situation, I’d

would have loved that.

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

like shit when I realize

him. How

away.

if

he shuts the door behind him, cutting us off from the bodyguards he has watching over

for

sure how you would handle being here

been just fine–because I was busy hunting down a candle to do something behind his

isn’t here. “But I’ll be fine, Lucas. Really. You have enough on your plate,

that,” he cuts me off, voice low and tense. “You 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

insist that I can take care of myself, but the words die on my tongue.

scared. I’m

Lucas and Kellan were worrywarts, to my best friend being

678

Soarching for

by a vampire.

living as a supernatural

that.

closed off from society, it’s like