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

my ears would be perked

should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under guard at all times." "Oh."

disagreement. He 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 out of his ass. And as for Alpha,

been doing that. However, there has been some

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 have a fated mate. The

that she and Vester are also fated mates. "It

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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 STD and

watch the bodyguards in the backseat, who all seem to shrivel

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

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

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know.

like her, Selene says, but I don't like that she's put

the seat and

almost blows out my mental eardrum. With those hulking brutes?

as I gaze out the window, watching the familiar scenery

in the backseat, startling all of

in

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181 Aw Mon

pop the 'p' hard, and Selerie begins to yowl like a cat in heat. "She's just upset she's in

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

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

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

she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets of both

head.

have no idea," I mutter, though my mind

each step bringing me closer

filled

steady my nerves. "Nervous," I admit, surprised at how calm my voice

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

off guard What am