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.

feel it, there's a part of him wanting to trust

want to see me for

Fuck.

express mail with cash on delivery. Now

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.

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

It doesn't work.

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

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

me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from

13

275 Ava: Visitors

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

sheets tangle around my legs as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what

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

Vanessa's gentle

I'm on my

instant, practically flying across the room and into

of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's

murmurs, rubbing

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

face is grim as she asks, "How are you holding

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

before meeting

holding

Vanessa's gaze

says, "I'm so glad he's doing well.

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

There might even be

unnaturally cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I heard