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

"Vester and I aren't exactly on

trying to ooze casual, even if my ears would be perked as high as hell if I was a dog right

faint smile in my direction. "He 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

of crisis. I think he needs to get his head out of his ass. And as for Alpha, w

that. However, there

his 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

and Vester are also fated mates. "It

17:33

2/6

101 AM

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

bodyguards in the backseat, who all

I whisper, even though they can hear every word because... well,

She winks at me. "Gotta stop the gossips before they start,

"I'm not your-"

I know. Not

I don't like that she's put me

the seat and come

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

window, watching the familiar scenery pass. You're the

in the backseat, startling

Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I heard she's

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

yowl like a cat in heat. "She's just upset she's in

head. "The fact that she's able to be around all of us without slinking away is a sight I've never seen. Dogs usually run from

to sing the

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

the hospital, she's sitting in the middle

her head. "Your dog is

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

we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer

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

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

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

question catches me off guard What am