Tangled

161

161

161 Ava: Mom (1)

Selene perks her head up before there's a knock rapping against my door.

Vanessa, she confirms before I open it.

"The boys have dialed in," Vanessa announces as soon as she sees my face. "It's up to you. We can head straight to the hospital, or you

can settle in and wait until tomorrow."

My stomach twists, heartburn coming out of nowhere to spread fire through my esophagus. "Oh." I could almost forget why I'm here, distracting myself with everything else. "Tomorrow's just fine-"

"No," I cut in, shaking my head. "I need to talk to her now. The quicker we get answers, the sooner we can get Lisa back."

Vanessa searches my face, her brows drawing together as she weighs the situation in her mind.

After a moment, she steps back, motioning me out of the room. “I'll

let Ves know."

"Ves? Oh. Vester." I've never heard her talk about him before, and their curious interactions earlier have me wanting to ask her what's going on.

But I'm not exactly sure how to casually bring up such a level of gossip.

Is it gossip when you're talking to the person in question?

Either way.

17:33

16

161 Ava Mom (0)

"You can stop staring at me like that." Vanessa smiles at me as we head out of the lodge, flanked immediately by two burly wolf shifters I don't recognize.

"Like what?" I ask, feigning innocence for as long as I can. It's embarrassing that she caught me.

Once we're both buckled in and Vanessa shifts into reverse, she

I aren't exactly on talking terms right

ears would be perked as high as hell if

faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under guard at all times." "Oh." Distaste is about the only thing oozing out of me

his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I think he needs to get his head out of his ass.

However, there has

glances at me again,

also fated mates. "It is.

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101 AM

been mated for six years. We're at a different place than you and Alpha are. Slowing for a red light, she leans back in the

backseat, who all seem

abuse of power," I whisper, even though

winks at me. "Gotta stop the

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know. Not

like her, Selene says, but I don't like that she's put me in the back with all the

the seat and come up

is so loud it almost blows out my mental eardrum. With those hulking brutes? No, thank

as I gaze out the window, watching the familiar scenery pass. You're the one who showed up

howls in the backseat, startling

Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I heard she's

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

Selerie begins to yowl like a cat in heat.

her head. "The fact that she's able to be around all of us

dog in question begins to sing the song of

singing punctuates the rest of the drive, until one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into

hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat,

shakes her head. "Your dog

no idea," I mutter, though my mind is

step bringing

at me, her eyes filled with concern.

a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Nervous," I admit, surprised at how calm my voice sounds despite

you afraid of?" Vanessa asks, her words soothing,

What am I afraid of?