Tangled

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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

casual, even if my ears would be perked as

how to deal with you," she adds, flicking a faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City,

during this time of crisis. I think he needs to get his head

doing that. However, there has been

long absences, his search 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 have a fated mate. The pull is

Vester are also fated

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101 AM

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

the bodyguards in the backseat,

an abuse of power," I whisper, even though they can hear

me. "Gotta

"I'm not your-"

I know.

her, Selene says, but I don't like that she's put me in the back with

hop over the seat

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

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

the backseat,

hate the car?" Vanessa asks me in

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181 Aw Mon

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

the rearview mirror, shaking her head. "The fact that she's able to be around all of us without slinking away is a

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

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

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

shakes her head. "Your dog

though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building looms before

entrance, each step bringing me closer to the

her eyes filled with concern. "How are you feeling,

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

asks, her words soothing,

me off guard What