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.

it, there's a part of him wanting to trust me. Knowing I'm his

he doesn't want to see

Fuck.

me, delivered express mail with cash on delivery. Now it's my turn to wait

to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me

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

It doesn't work.

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

to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has all

as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back, struggling to find

13

275 Ava: Visitors

I screw 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 confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of our history

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

soft knock at the door startles me from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can

Vanessa's gentle voice

I'm on my

flying across the

The solitude of

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on

wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, I

as she asks, "How

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

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

holding my

Vanessa's gaze

to the windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says,

she pulls a small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I can read: /

watched, listened to. There might even be

cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out of