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

even if my ears would be perked as high

I 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, on Westwood lands, under guard at

crisis. I think he needs to get his head out of his

been doing that. However, there

his search for you, and how he prioritizes you over the pack." She glances at

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

17:33

2/6

101 AM

are. Slowing for a red light, she leans back in the

backseat, who all seem

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

winks at me. "Gotta stop the gossips before

"I'm not your-"

yes, I

like her, Selene says, but I don't like that

the seat and

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

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

in the backseat, startling all of

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

17:34

310

181 Aw Mon

a cat in heat. "She's just upset

be around

lips quirk as the dog in question begins to sing

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

make it to the hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat,

head. "Your dog is

my mind is elsewhere as the tall building

approach the entrance, each step bringing me closer to the

eyes filled with concern. "How are

my nerves. "Nervous," I admit, surprised

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

question catches me off guard What am I afraid of?