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

aren't exactly

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

in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under guard at

it's better to keep you under guard and safe so his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I think he needs to get his head out of his

doing that. However, there

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

are also fated mates. "It is. How do you

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she leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror. "And none of you are hearing a single word borne STD and let you guys

in the backseat, who all seem to shrivel at her

an abuse of power," I whisper, even though they can hear every word because...

She winks at me. "Gotta stop

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know.

that she's put me

over the

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

watching the familiar scenery pass. You're the one who showed

in the backseat, startling

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

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181 Aw Mon

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

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

lips quirk as the dog in question begins to sing the song of huskies everywhere.

finally gives in and reaches

to the hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat,

her head. "Your dog is

mutter, though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building looms

races as we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer

glances at me, her eyes filled with concern.

"Nervous," I admit, surprised at how calm my voice sounds despite the turmoil

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

catches me off guard What