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

"Vester and I aren't exactly on talking terms

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

should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under guard at all times." "Oh." Distaste is about the only thing oozing out of me

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

However, there has been some

the pack." She glances at

and Vester are also fated mates. "It is. How do you two handle

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101 AM

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 word borne

backseat, who all seem to shrivel at her

of power," I whisper, even though

me. "Gotta stop the gossips before they start,

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know.

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

can always hop over the seat and come

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

familiar scenery

howls in the backseat, startling

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

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181 Aw Mon

to yowl like a cat

she's able to be around all of us without slinking away is a sight I've

lips quirk as the dog in question begins to sing

singing punctuates the rest of the drive, until one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into the back, coaxing her up

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

her head.

idea," I mutter, though my mind

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

glances at me, her eyes filled

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

are you afraid of?" Vanessa asks, her words soothing, a balm

What am I