Tangled

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Unshift 265

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265 Ava: The Receptionist

265 Ava: The Receptionist

It isn't until we're walking that I realize still I don't hear Selene in my head. Her presence hasn't filled its

space.

I was so focused on Lucas that I forgot my own damn wolf. That's terrifying, in a way.

"Didn't you say Selene's here?"

"She was." He glances at me in the dim moonlight. "She's been coming and going a lot. Can't you talk to her?" He appears confused; I guess no one's

specifically told him that Selene and I can't contact each other over long distances.

"No."

"Oh." He's quiet as he processes that. "So you just... can't talk to your wolf?"

I shrug. "She's her own person. I guess it's because she isn't in my body."

Kellan makes an odd sort of noise in his throat. I glance at him in concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he says, shaking his head. "Your bond

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with Selene is just strange. Communication isn't equal among wolves-some can have full conversations, some don't-but you're another level."

Ah. Yeah, it is weird. It's become such a normal part of my life, though. "Yeah." To me, it's strange to think

someone has a wolf and can't talk to them.

"How did you know to come here if you don't speak

with Selene?" Kellan asks.

my mouth, ready to explain about Acarus again, figuring he'd forgotten the brief conversation

earlier.

might have

hits me like a sudden downpour, and I snap my mouth shut. We don't know who it is or if they're still here in this compound. Every word we say can potentially reach the wrong ears.

heavy emphasis on the last word. I meet Kellan's eyes, willing him to

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dawns on his face. He faces forward, but I can still

of a smile tugging

"Smart idea."

mind races, cataloging every interaction, every face I've seen since arriving. Which is only about six

the traitor

thought that someone close to Lucas is

My stomach churns.

***

a simple building. It's a long building with blacked out windows,

step inside. It's like walking

It's a modern hospital.

contrast is jarring, and I find

to adjust to the sudden

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the side, with several doors, all closed. The familiar smell of antiseptic

brightly lit. A pair of double doors marked 'Staff Only' stand beyond it, showing the faint shadowy outline of people as they walk past. Even this late at night, it's good to

I

here for a long time." He taps at my shoulder,

in crisp blue scrubs sits, her fingers flying over a keyboard. She looks up as we approach, a

is sleeping at the moment. Is there

hand settles on my lower back, guiding me forward. "Actually, yes. I've brought his mate to

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and in an instant, her demeanor changes. The warmth vanishes, replaced by a cool professionalism that borders on frigid. "I see," she says, her tone clipped. "I'm afraid visiting hours are over for the

close and yet still out of reach. I want to scream, to demand entry, to

be

it sounds pretty good