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 trust me. Knowing I'm

to see me

Fuck.

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 shake the depression clinging to me like second skin. Steam

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

It doesn't work.

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

That's what I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has

leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back, struggling to find a position that brings

13

275 Ava: Visitors

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 involved

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

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

Vanessa's gentle voice calls

I'm on my

in an instant, practically flying across the room

contact until this moment. The solitude of the

murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on my

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

face is grim as she asks, "How

admit, my voice barely

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

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

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 up and

small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something

listened to. There might even

you break down crying out of sheer relief