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

16

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

exactly on talking terms

ears would be perked as high as hell if I

agree about 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

crisis. I think he needs

doing that. However, there has been

the pack." She glances at

remembering that she and Vester are also fated

17:33

2/6

101 AM

she leans back in the seat, glancing in her rearview mirror. "And none of you are hearing a single word

the backseat, who all seem to shrivel at her

though

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

"I'm not your-"

I know. Not

says, but I don't like that she's put me in the back with all

can always hop over the seat

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

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

backseat, startling all

asks me in

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

the 'p' hard, and Selerie begins to yowl like a cat in

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

quirk as the dog in question begins to sing the song of huskies

gives in and reaches into

hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting

head. "Your dog is

though my mind is elsewhere as the tall building

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

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

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

soothing, a balm to the anxious bubbling

catches me off guard What am I