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.

17:33

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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

ears would be perked as high as hell if I was a dog right

how to 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 about the only thing oozing out of me now, and she

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 trying,"

doing that. However, there has been

he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at me again, then back to the road. "It's rough when you have a

she and Vester are also fated mates.

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101 AM

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 STD and

watch the bodyguards in the backseat, who all seem to

of power," I whisper, even though

winks at me. "Gotta stop the

"I'm not your-"

I

like that she's put me in the back with

can always hop over the seat and

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

familiar

the backseat,

asks me in confusion.

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

and Selerie begins to yowl like a cat in

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

to sing

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

we make it to the hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets of both bodyguards as her

head. "Your dog

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

each step bringing me closer to the inevitable confrontation

filled

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

of?" Vanessa asks, her words soothing, a balm to the anxious bubbling of my

catches me off guard What am I afraid of?