Tangled

191

191

191 Ava: Mom's Legacy (IV)

Vanessa's visit is a welcome distraction from Selene's refusal to come out from beneath the bed.

She's searched thoroughly, even her bag of medical supplies, before Marcus allows her to step foot into my room, as if she hasn't been one of my biggest supporter ince stepping onto Westwood lands. "Looks like security's been upgraded," she says with a laugh. "I owe Vester dinner."

"Dinner?" Watching as she slides the blood pressure cuff over my arm, I smile faintly. "Did you guys have a bet?"

"We always have a bet going. I usually win. Uncross your legs and relax your arms."

A quick check of all my vitals has her nodding in approval. "Still doing good. Did you get any check-ups done while you were back on pack lands?"

"Nope."

"Of course you didn't." She snaps my file closed with a sigh. "Kellan should have thought about it while you were there, but with. everything going on... Mmm. I can see how it would be missed." The entire pack is in an uproar. I've barely seen Lucas in two days.

"They have the entire Council coming. Even Clayton. Kellan's here to take over for the duration of their emergency session," I explain,

not sure how much Vester's told her.

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191 Ava: Mom's Legacy (IV)

"So I've heard. Open your mouth." Using her tongue depressor to clear her field of view, she inspects the back of my throat with a soft hum. "Your tonsils are swollen. Have you been snoring?"

"I have no idea." Of course, my mouth is open with what looks like a popsicle stick holding down my tongue, so it comes out more like, "A-ha-ho-ihea."

Yes, Selene offers up from her place beneath the bed, as Vanessa finishes violating my mouth with her

ressor.

After swallowing a few times and moistening my mouth, I mutter, "Selene says yes."

"We'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully you aren't about to come down with a cold or anything." There's a dubious note to Vanessa's voice, and I remember that she's a healer to shifters. They don't get things like colds. Or illness in general.

Injury-related issues, sure.

Or poisons.

begs the question once again, why are all of my bodyguards supposedly 'retired"? An aging shifter is not the same as

if

"Vanessa-"

make sense to her. Then she checks over all my

10:27

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Ava Mom's Legacy

stop

great news

my new resolve to become more mature, responsible, and (above all) stronger, a

would just appear in front of m nd embrace me within it, so I don't have to

that would be. I'm not stupid enough to think it actually happens to people, so I straighten my slumped shoulders, clear my throat,

Don't push yourself too hard. I warned him to

"Small blessings."

everything away. "You're the one who told him you wanted to get stronger. I'm not

know. I do want to get stronger. It's just that Jericho's version of training is a circle of

of comfort to my chest. Something deeper than

unfamiliar, but

My fingers twist

10:27-

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Ava Mom's Legacy

I can't seem to break. "Have you figured out how to

dries faster than the S. ra in summer. The idea of facing my mother again, after our last disastrous encounter, sends an Arctic shudder down my spine. But I want answers. "How about in the morning? Vanessa's lips twitch, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Trying to avoid training with Jericho, are we? But tonight would be better! A laugh bubbles out of me, the sound a little too high- pitched to be genuine. We both know that visiting my mother is far worse than any hell Jericho could put me through on the training grounds, but the attempt at levity is appreciated. "You know, I'm glad you're finally opening up to other members of the pack," Vanessa says,

She probably does.

good at things like

window, his face a professional blank canvas He acts like he's ignoring our conversation, but I know he's heard every word. I'm

overwhelming, but I'm trying to get used

My lips quirk, just a little. "Someone really opened my

expression softens. "Lucas has already called me several times, you know. Making sure I won't be putting you in any danger. Still grumbling about

1. ne. "He what?"

genuine. "It's hard

secondhand embarrassment and mild frustration over him is too much.

about it before I left. He was

board with it!"

loves you, Ava. He's