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.

he can't feel it, there's a part of

see me for the

Fuck.

spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash on delivery. Now it's my turn to wait and

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 fills the

hard, until my skin is raw and 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

a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake up and find this has all been

leaving them for me to discover as I flop from

13

275 Ava: Visitors

of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none of

to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My eyes

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

Vanessa's gentle

I'm on my

instant, practically flying across the

until this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's presence

she murmurs, rubbing soothing

pull back, wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, I just... it's been a rough

as she asks, "How are you

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

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

nod, holding my

Vanessa's gaze

she says, "I'm so glad he's doing well. Such a relief to

a small notebook from her pocket. She scribbles something quickly,

watched, listened to. There might even be a

"Did you break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway?