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.

part of him wanting to trust

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

Fuck.

waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with

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

and angry red, as if I can wash away the

It doesn't work.

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

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

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

every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he

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

soft knock at the door startles me from my restless attempt

gentle voice calls

I'm on my

an instant, practically flying across the room and

needed human contact until this moment. The solitude of the

rubbing soothing circles

"Sorry, I just... it's

as she asks, "How are you holding

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

side before meeting

holding my

Vanessa's gaze

slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief to see him up and

small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly,

listened to. There might even be a traitor somewhere. We can't talk about his situation

you break down crying out of sheer relief