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

if my ears would be perked as high as hell if

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

you under guard and safe so his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I think he

doing that. However,

She glances at me again, then back to the road. "It's rough when you have a fated mate. The

also fated mates. "It is. How do you two handle the

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101 AM

at a different place than you and Alpha are. Slowing for a red light, she leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror. "And none of you are hearing a single

backseat, who all seem to

power," I whisper, even though they can hear every

me. "Gotta stop the gossips before they start,

"I'm not your-"

I know. Not

like that she's put me in the back

hop over the seat and come

With those hulking brutes? No, thank you. Did you know they picked me up and put me

the window, watching the familiar scenery pass.

in the backseat, startling all of

she hate the car?" Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I heard she's great with all the

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181 Aw Mon

'p' hard, and Selerie begins to yowl like a cat in heat. "She's just upset she's in the

to be around all of us without slinking away is a sight I've never seen. Dogs

in question begins to sing the song of huskies everywhere.

the drive, until one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into the back, coaxing her up front like he's talking to a

she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets

her head. "Your dog

I mutter, though my mind is elsewhere as

as we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer

filled with concern.

I admit, surprised at how calm my voice

of?" Vanessa asks, her words soothing, a balm to the anxious

off guard What am I