Tangled

Chapter 263

Unshift 263

Unshift 263

263 Ava: The Compound

263 Ava: The Compound

My heart thumps hard, trying its best to knock my ribs out of place with excitement. "Is everyone okay?

What's going on?"

Vanessa's eyes unfocus as she communicates with her mate. Waiting is like being bitten by a squad of fire ants, each prickle against my skin beginning to burn as I squirm, impatient for answers.

"He doesn't want to give any answers until we see him, but he said things are stable." There's an uncertain waver in her voice, but I keep quiet as she speaks with Vester, feeling my own unease building.

Stable.

That could mean a lot of things, and they aren't all good.

Marcus stiffens beside me and I glance out the window, expecting to see something on the road.

Nothing.

"There's a few scouts nearby," he says after a long pause. "Vanessa, you sense them?"

20-21

263 Ava: The Compound

"Three," she confirms. "I'm not familiar with them, but I recognize them."

"We're about ten minutes out. We'll run into a few

more waves of scouts, staggered so they can stay in contact." He glances at me. "Like a telephone relay."

"Ten minutes?!" Vanessa frowns. "Vester should have been able to reach me a long time ago."

"I should be able to reach the alpha," Marcus agrees. "But I can't."

"Something's wrong." The healer's look of relief is once again replaced by worry. "This isn't right."

"The area's safe, so just relax until we get there. Someone should be able to give us proper answers then."

I hope he's right.

***

"Shit. Hold on!"

The truck lurches violently, throwing me against the door as Marcus slams on the brakes. Gravel crunches under the tires, and I barely catch myself before my face meets the dashboard.

20:21

263 Ava: The Compound

body

we careen onto a narrow road I hadn't even noticed. The sudden turn

constant itch

seatbelts?" I mutter, rubbing my elbow where it smacked against the

Trees press close on either side, branches scraping against the truck's exterior. It's a small

clearing. My breath catches as I take in the sight before us. A cluster

the picturesque setting that

bustle of pack life? The

20:21

263 Ava: The Compound

group of wolves emerges to meet us, their

weapons.

isn't the Westwood I know. This is a

engage the parking brake. My eyes scan the gathered faces, searching desperately for anyone familiar. Then I spot him,

"Kellan!"

I can even catch my breath. "Where's Lucas? Is

a hand, silencing my barrage of questions. "Ava, there's

a hospital, but none of these cottages scream hospital to me. And unlike the Fae Ward. I doubt there's

20:21

4/0

263

Ava: The Compound

a

Kellan confirms, but his

"And he's... stable. But things

complicated."

we've been through.

movement behind Kellan catches my eye. Another wolf-it

reunion of brother and sister would be touching

noticing the absence of Vanessa's mate

says, guiding me towards a small cabin set apart from the

back, seeing Marcus and Vanessa being led in a different direction by Ryder. The separation makes my skin prickle, and I scratch at my arms furiously in an

20:21

570

263 Ava, The Compound

been with me for so long. Being without

is weird.

we approach the cabin's door. "Why all

on the doorknob. "Ava, I need you to understand that everything we're

"Protect us from what?"

mine,

that want to tear us apart. Both from outside...

pushes open the door, revealing a spartan interior. A table dominates the small space, covered in maps. and documents. The walls are bare except

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255