Tangled

Unshift 275

Unshift 275

275 Ava: Visitors

"Ava." D

My head feels like it weighs a million pounds. My ears feel stuffed and woolly. And Kellan's hands. dragging me to my feet are like burning embers pressed against my skin.

"What?"

"You passed out."

Staring at him blankly, it takes a while for my brain to catch up to his words. "Oh. Shit. I guess that's one way to deal with stress; just let your body shut down.

Don't really recommend it.

and Kellan doesn't ask questions about my visit with Lucas, just escorts me back to the cottage a makes sure I'm taken care of. Brings lunch I don't want to eat and promises to check on me in

another hour or two.

Of course, lunch is out of the question. My stomach's too queasy for that. And until Sister Miriam and Selene return, I don't have a great way to get information on what happened to Lucas' wolf. I'm definitely not going to tell people he doesn't have one; the pack needs stability, not another

blow.

I'm not even sure Kellan knows.

I

The thought that Lucas may have trusted me with a little secret buoys my depressed spirits by a

millimeter or two.

there's a part of

doesn't want to see me

Fuck.

like the bill for all the time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash

over my skin, hot to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like second skin.

hard, until my skin is raw and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of Lucas staring at me

It doesn't work.

Dressing in the clothes I was just wearing-they're still clean.

That's what I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has all been some

flop

13

275 Ava: Visitors

every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of

sheets tangle around my legs as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes

startles me from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can respond, the

Vanessa's gentle voice

I'm on my

across the room and into

moment. The solitude of the past

she murmurs, rubbing soothing

back, wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, I

face is grim as she

my voice barely

the side before meeting mine again. "About Alpha,

nod, holding

Vanessa's gaze

voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm

pulls a small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I can read: / know about

to. There might even be a traitor somewhere. We can't talk about his situation

voice is unnaturally cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out