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

exactly on talking

say, trying to ooze casual, even if my ears would be perked as high as

deal with you," she adds, flicking a faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under guard at all times." "Oh." Distaste is

his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I

However, there

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

she and Vester are also fated

17:33

2/6

101 AM

are. Slowing for a red light, she leans back in the seat, glancing

the bodyguards in the backseat, who all seem

of power," I whisper, even though they

"Gotta stop the gossips

"I'm not your-"

I know. Not

I don't like that she's put me in the back

hop over the

brutes? No, thank you. Did you know they picked me up

out the window, watching the familiar scenery pass.

backseat, startling all of

the car?" Vanessa asks me in

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

begins to yowl like a cat in heat. "She's just upset she's in

fact that she's able to be around all of us

lips quirk as the dog in question begins to sing

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

she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets of both bodyguards as her

her head.

my mind is elsewhere as the tall building looms

we approach the entrance, each step bringing me

at me, her eyes filled

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

words soothing, a balm to the anxious bubbling of my

What am I afraid