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

and I aren't exactly on talking terms right

casual, even if my ears would be perked as high as hell if I was a dog right

don't agree about how to deal with you," she adds, flicking a faint smile in my direction. "He thinks you should stay in Granite City,

crisis. I think he needs to get his head out of his ass. And as for Alpha, w "Lucas is trying," I defend immediately, and she

However, there has been some

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

Vester are also fated mates. "It is. How do you two handle the

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101 AM

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

bodyguards in the backseat, who all seem to shrivel

an abuse of power," I whisper, even though

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

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know.

don't like that she's put me in the

always hop over the

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

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

howls in the backseat, startling

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

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181 Aw Mon

begins to yowl like a cat in heat. "She's just upset she's in the trunk. Thinks she's

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

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

bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into the back, coaxing her up front

sitting in the

head.

have no idea," I mutter, though my mind is elsewhere

the entrance, each step

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

trying to steady my nerves. "Nervous," I

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

off guard What am I afraid of?