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.

there's a part of him wanting to trust me.

if he doesn't want to see me for the rest of the

Fuck.

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

cascades over my skin, hot to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't

if I can wash

It doesn't work.

hot water runs out. Dressing in the clothes I was just

what I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up

wet spots on the pillow, leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back, struggling to find a position

13

275 Ava: Visitors

come. Instead, there's a constant replay in my mind, of every moment of my

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

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

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

in an instant, practically flying across the room and

moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on me,

rubbing

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

is grim as she asks, "How are

admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

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

nod, holding my

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

from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I can

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

you break down crying