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.

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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

and I aren't exactly on talking

even if my ears would be perked as high

you," she adds, flicking a faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under

and safe so his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I think he needs to get his head out of his ass. And as for Alpha, w "Lucas is trying," I defend immediately, and

However,

and how he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at me again, then back to the road. "It's rough when you have a

Vester are also fated mates.

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101 AM

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 to shrivel at her

whisper, even though

great?" She winks at me. "Gotta stop the

"I'm not your-"

yes, I

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

can always hop over the seat

almost blows out my mental eardrum. With those hulking brutes? No, thank you. Did you know they picked

as I gaze out the window, watching the familiar scenery

backseat, startling all

she hate the car?" Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

a cat in heat. "She's just upset she's in the trunk. Thinks she's

fact that she's able to be around all

begins to sing the

drive, until one bodyguard finally gives in and

hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat,

her head. "Your dog is

though my mind is elsewhere as

we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer to the inevitable confrontation

her eyes filled with concern.

my nerves. "Nervous," I admit, surprised at

her words soothing,

guard What am I afraid