Tangled

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171 Avar Trusting Vanessa

sa saws up before dinner, with a bag full of doctor stuff and @puu milar ny that tells me I'm got dong anything until she gets

she needs.

bel suffer through the blood pressure, my blood being drawn and Taken away by one of my new stone-faced bodyguards, of which there are at least 6, and a lot of questions she asks me every single day My answers haven't changed, but she still asks them.

I watch intently as Vanessa packs up her medical supplies, my mind churning with the weight of the secrets I'm keeping. With the balt- baked plans inside my head. With my desperate need to save Lisa from whatever fate the Mad Prince has planned.

1 wet my lips, trying to find the right words.

Vanessa, how do you feel about keeping secrets from your mate?" The question slips out before I can stop it.

She pauses, a knowing smile playing on her lips, her eyes twinkling.

Trouble in paradise already with the overbearing Alpha?"

I glance toward the bedroom door "Can the bodyguards hear

verything we say in here?"

She looks amused, "No. Your prior Alpha had this room. soundproofed

over me and I take her hands in fnine,

171 Ava: Trusting Vanessa

of it is stuff Lucas

on."

her grip tightening on my hands. "Ava, I'm loyal to the Westwood pack and to my Alpha." She pauses, conflict. flickering in her eyes. "But

my interruption swift. "It doesn't endanger Westwood. But Lucas won't like that I'm doing things without

watches me, caution on her face, even as she squeezes my hands in reassurance. "I can't give you a straight answer without knowing what it is. My answer stands. But I am

need to unburden myself and the fear of betrayal. Selene's voice echoes in my mind, urging

best option right now, Selene reminds me gently. You need an

breath. "Selene isn't a dog.

to one of bewilderment. Her brows knit together, creasing her forehead as she processes

between me and Selene, who

171 Ava Trusting Vanessa

to get a straight answer out of her. It's impossible. She drinks secrets for breakfast. But Lucas

about her"

clear in Vanessa's eyes. "Oh. That's good, at least." But I can see the wheels turning in her head as she thinks

renounce her pack in order to keep Selene's ex "That might kill her," the healer says automatically, glancing again. toward Selene. "And only an alpha can force a switch in pack allegiance. Even then,

"Let me think this through for a moment. There has to be a better way." It would be good

her breath, occasionally shaking her head as if dismissing ideas that don't quite fit. The sight of her deep in th Settling onto the bed beside Selene, I run my fingers

mind.

the wolf's presence out if the human host is

she admits, her voice echoing in my mind. But there are too many variables to say for certain. "Selene says it might be possible, but there are too many variables to know for sure,"

"And what about your mother's wolf? Will she

I find myself at a loss for words. Loyalty is a complex thing, especially when