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

see me for the rest

Fuck.

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

in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like second skin.

as if I

It doesn't work.

I

to reset my brain and maybe wake up and

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 that

13

275 Ava: Visitors

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

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

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 and

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

sweetie," she murmurs, rubbing soothing circles

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

is grim as she asks, "How are

voice barely above a

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

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

windows. Her voice rises slightly as she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a

from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly, then turns

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

she asks, "Did you break down crying out of