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

exactly on talking

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

faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City, on

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

However,

how he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at me again,

fated mates. "It

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101 AM

and Alpha are. Slowing for a red light, she leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror. "And none of you

I watch the bodyguards in the backseat, who all seem

abuse of power," I whisper, even though

it great?" She winks at me. "Gotta stop the gossips before they

"I'm not your-"

I know. Not

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

always hop over the seat and

those hulking brutes? No,

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

backseat, startling all

Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I heard

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181 Aw Mon

Selerie 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 without slinking away is a

begins to sing the song of huskies everywhere. "She's a bit...

drive, until one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into the back,

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

head.

no idea," I mutter, though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building looms before

each step bringing me

at me, her eyes filled with concern. "How are

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

words soothing, a balm to

off guard What am