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

even if my ears would be perked as high as hell if I was a dog

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 now, and she

thinks 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 ass. And as

been doing that. However, there has

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

that she and Vester are also fated mates. "It is. How do you

17:33

2/6

101 AM

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

the bodyguards in the backseat, who

even though they can

winks at me. "Gotta

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know. Not

that

over the

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

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

howls in the backseat,

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

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

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

able to be around all of us without slinking away

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

bodyguard finally gives in and

the time we make it to the hospital, she's sitting in the

shakes her head.

have no idea," I mutter, though my mind is elsewhere

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

at me, her eyes filled with

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

words soothing, a balm to the

off guard What am I afraid of? I