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

I aren't exactly

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

deal with you," she adds, flicking a 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

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

that. However,

pack." She glances at me again, then back to the road.

she and Vester are also fated mates.

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101 AM

leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror. "And none of you are hearing a single word borne STD and let

in the backseat, who

of power," I whisper, even though they can

"Gotta stop the gossips before they start,

"I'm not your-"

I

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

always hop over the seat

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

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

howls in the backseat, startling all of

in confusion. "I

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181 Aw Mon

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

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

question begins to sing the song of huskies everywhere.

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

it to the hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets of

head.

my mind is elsewhere as the tall building

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

her eyes filled with concern. "How are you

trying to steady my nerves. "Nervous," I admit, surprised at how

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

question catches me off guard What am I afraid of? I