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 on talking terms right

even if my ears would be perked as high as

thinks you should stay in Granite City, on Westwood lands, under guard at all times." "Oh." Distaste is

so his alpha is not distracted during this time of crisis. I think he needs to get his head out

been doing that. However,

and how he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at

also 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

watch the bodyguards in the backseat, who all seem to shrivel at her

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

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

"I'm not your-"

I know. Not

I don't like that she's put

can always hop over the

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

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

the backseat, startling all

asks me in confusion. "I heard she's great with

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181 Aw Mon

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

"The fact that she's able to be around all of us without slinking away is a sight I've

begins to sing the song of

finally gives in and reaches into the back, coaxing her

time we make it to the hospital, she's sitting in

her head. "Your dog is

mind is elsewhere as the

we approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer to the inevitable confrontation with my

eyes filled with concern.

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

words soothing, a balm to

question catches me off guard What am I afraid