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

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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 on talking

my ears would be perked as high as hell if I

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."

better to keep you under guard and safe so his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I think he

that. However,

how he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at me again, then back to the road. "It's rough

fated mates. "It is. How do you two

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101 AM

in

I watch the bodyguards in the backseat, who all

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

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

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know.

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

can always hop over the seat and

loud it almost blows out my mental eardrum. With those hulking brutes? No, thank you. Did you know they

familiar

backseat, startling

me in confusion. "I heard

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

I pop the 'p' hard, and Selerie begins to yowl like a cat

be around all of us without slinking away is a sight

begins to sing 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 a

the time we make it to the hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets of both

her head. "Your

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

as we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer

me, her eyes filled with concern. "How are

a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Nervous," I admit, surprised at

her words soothing, a balm to the anxious bubbling

question catches me off guard What am I afraid