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

see me for the rest of

Fuck.

for me, delivered express

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

as if I can wash away the memory of Lucas

It doesn't work.

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

Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this

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

13

275 Ava: Visitors

mind, of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes.

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

my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can

gentle voice calls

I'm on my

an instant, practically flying across the room and into

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

she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on my

wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, I just... it's been a rough

is grim as she asks, "How are you holding

I admit, my voice barely above a

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

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so

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

eyes widen. Of course. We're being watched, listened 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