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.

if he can't feel it, there's a part of him wanting to trust me. Knowing I'm his

to see me for the rest

Fuck.

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

hours, but I can't shake the depression

until my skin is raw and angry red, as if I

It doesn't work.

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

few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has all been some twisted

flop from

13

275 Ava: Visitors

constant replay in my mind, of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of our history involved him at

as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours.

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

Vanessa's gentle

I'm on my

an instant, practically flying across

I needed human contact until this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's presence a

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on my

at my eyes. "Sorry, I

as she

great," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "How much do

before meeting mine

nod, holding

Vanessa's gaze

the windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief

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

We're being watched, listened to. There might even

crying