Tangled

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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 on talking terms right

even if my ears would be

I don't agree about how to deal with you," she adds, flicking a faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City, on Westwood

are in 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, w "Lucas is

that. However, there has been some

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

remembering that she and Vester are also fated mates. "It is. How do you two handle

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you and Alpha are. Slowing for a red light, she leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror. "And

bodyguards in the backseat,

though they can hear every word because...

it great?" She winks at me. "Gotta

"I'm not your-"

yes, I

I don't like that she's

can always hop over the seat and

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

as I gaze out the window, watching the familiar

howls in the backseat,

in confusion. "I

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181 Aw Mon

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

shaking her head. "The fact that she's able to be around all

My lips quirk as the dog in question begins to

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

in the middle seat,

shakes her head. "Your

mutter, though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building looms before

heart races as we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer

filled

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

her words soothing, a balm to the anxious bubbling of

catches me off guard What