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.

part of him wanting

if he doesn't want to see me for the

Fuck.

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

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. Steam fills the

as if I can

It doesn't work.

the clothes I was just wearing-they're

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

pillow, leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right,

13

275 Ava: Visitors

sleep doesn't come. Instead, there's a constant replay in my mind, of every moment of my encounter with Lucas.

to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes burn with unshed tears and

at the door startles me from my restless

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

an instant, practically flying across the room and

needed human contact until this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on

rubbing soothing

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

she asks, "How are

I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

dart to the side before meeting mine again. "About Alpha,

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

the front 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

from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then

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

crying out of sheer relief in the