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

"Vester and I aren't exactly on talking

ooze casual, even if my ears would be perked as high

to deal with you," she adds, flicking a faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in

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

been doing that. However, there has

he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at me again, then

that she and Vester are also fated mates. "It is.

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she leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror.

backseat, who all seem

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

She winks at me. "Gotta stop the

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know.

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

the seat and come up

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

watching the familiar scenery pass. You're the

in the backseat, startling all

in confusion. "I heard

17:34

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181 Aw Mon

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

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 I've never seen. Dogs usually run

question begins to sing the song

one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches

sitting in the

her head. "Your dog

though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building looms before

approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer to

me, her eyes filled with concern. "How are you feeling,

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

her words soothing, a balm to the anxious bubbling of

question catches me off guard What am I