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

ooze casual, even if my ears would be

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

crisis. I think he needs to

doing that. However, there

prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at

fated mates. "It is.

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101 AM

been mated for six years. We're at a different place than you 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

the backseat, who all seem to

though they can hear every word because... well,

at me. "Gotta stop the gossips before

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know. Not

like that she's

hop over the seat

hulking brutes? No, thank you. Did you know they picked me up

the familiar scenery pass. You're the one who showed up

in the backseat,

car?" Vanessa asks me in

17:34

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181 Aw Mon

a cat in heat. "She's

be around all of us without slinking away is a sight I've never

lips quirk as the dog in question begins to

until one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into the back, coaxing her up

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

shakes her head. "Your dog is

though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building

we approach the entrance, each step bringing

filled with concern. "How are you

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

Vanessa asks, her words soothing, a

guard What am I afraid of? I