Tangled

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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

and I aren't exactly on talking

I say, trying to ooze casual, even if my ears would be perked

deal with you," 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

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

that. However, there has

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.

she and Vester are also fated mates. "It is. How do

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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

backseat, who all seem to

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

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

"I'm not your-"

I

but I don't like that she's put me in

always hop over the

brutes? No, thank you.

the window, watching the familiar scenery pass. You're the one who showed up as a

in the backseat, startling all of

she hate the car?" Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I heard she's great

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181 Aw Mon

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

able to be around all of us without slinking away is

the dog in question begins to sing the song of huskies everywhere.

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

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

her head. "Your

idea," I mutter, though my mind is elsewhere

as we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer to the inevitable

her eyes filled with

"Nervous," I admit, surprised

are you afraid of?" Vanessa asks, her words soothing, a balm

question catches me off guard What