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.

can't feel it, there's a part of him wanting to

want to see me for

Fuck.

me, delivered express mail

It's my second shower in hours,

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

It doesn't work.

Dressing in the clothes I was just wearing-they're

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

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

13

275 Ava: Visitors

matter how tightly 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

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

from my restless attempt at sleep. Before I can

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

practically flying across

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

murmurs, rubbing soothing circles

pull back, wiping at my eyes. "Sorry,

is grim as she

I admit, my voice barely

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

nod, holding

Vanessa's gaze

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

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

might even be

asks, "Did you break down crying out