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

if he doesn't want to see me for

Fuck.

patiently for me, delivered express mail with

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

is raw and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of

It doesn't work.

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

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

pillow, leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then

13

275 Ava: Visitors

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 involved

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

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

Vanessa's gentle

I'm on my

flying across the

until this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles

eyes. "Sorry, I

she asks, "How are

admit, my voice barely above

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

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

to the front door, then to the windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so

She scribbles something quickly, then turns

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

down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I heard rumors