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 him wanting to trust

if he doesn't want to see me

Fuck.

time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash on delivery. Now it's my

It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like second skin. Steam

and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of

It doesn't work.

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

That's what I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and

to discover as I flop from left to right, then

13

275 Ava: Visitors

moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke

around my legs as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes burn with unshed

startles me from my restless attempt at

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

an instant, practically flying across the

I needed human contact until this moment. The solitude of the past few

she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles

"Sorry, I just... it's been a

as she asks, "How are

I admit, my voice barely above a

eyes dart to the side before meeting mine again.

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

door, then to the windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief to see him up and

brow until she pulls a small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so

Of course. We're being watched, listened to. There might even be a traitor

break down crying out of sheer relief in the