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

aren't exactly on talking terms right

would be perked as high as hell

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

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

doing that. However, there has been some

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

remembering that she and Vester are also fated mates. "It is. How

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101 AM

back in the seat, glancing

the backseat, who all seem to shrivel

I whisper, even though they can hear

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

"I'm not your-"

yes, I know. Not

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

over the

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

the window, watching the familiar scenery pass. You're the one

the backseat, startling all

car?" Vanessa asks me in confusion. "I heard

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181 Aw Mon

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

she's able to be around all of us without slinking away is a sight I've never seen.

in question begins to sing the

singing punctuates the rest of the drive, until one bodyguard finally gives in and reaches into the back, coaxing

hospital, she's sitting in the middle seat, accepting the pets of both bodyguards as

head. "Your

my mind is elsewhere as

each step

filled with concern. "How are

I admit,

asks, her words soothing, a balm to the anxious

What am