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.

bodyguards supposedly 'retired"? An aging shifter

if Vanessa

"Vanessa-"

sense to her. Then she checks over all my limbs and my chest and back,

10:27

217

Mom's

stop jiggling

to your normal self, which is great news for

responsible, and (above all) stronger, a

be a lie to say that there isn't a part of me that wishes. power would just appear in front of m nd embrace me within it, so I don't have to go through the hell

to think it actually happens to people, so I straighten my slumped shoulders, clear my throat, and meet Vanessa's amused stare with as much professi like poise as I can muster. "I mean, that sounds

push yourself too hard. I warned

"Small blessings."

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

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

of comfort to my

unfamiliar, but

twist around each other, a

10:27-

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Ava Mom's Legacy

you figured out how to deal with

the floor, watching me. "When do you want to vi My mouth 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

She probably does.

good at things

his face a professional blank canvas He acts like he's ignoring our conversation, but I know he's heard every word. I'm pretty sure he reports it all to Jericho. 191 Ava Mom's Legacy

than a little overwhelming, but I'm trying to get

just a little. "Someone really opened my eyes, and I've come

me several times, you know. Making sure I won't be putting you in any danger. Still grumbling about this silly idea of y My eyes widen, horror

1. ne. "He what?"

laughs, the sound rich and genuine. "It's hard being married to

groan, burying my face in my hands. The secondhand embarrassment and mild frustration over him is too much. "I

he did that. We talked about it before

board with it!"

loves you, Ava.