Tangled

Unshift 318

Unshift 318

318 Ava: Waiting For Him to Wake

Out, Selene says simply.

The journey into his woll's mind was long. It was a turbulent sea, every inch taken a victory.

Getting out is much easier.

Between one instant and the next, there's nothing more than a distinct yank from Selene's mind, and it's as though I'm sucked through a vortex and thrown back into my own head. There's enough force that 1 pitch forward and almost hit my face against the ground before my hands fly up to save myself.

"Fuck"

My body's soaked. There's only a small light on in the kitchen; the rest of the house is dark, the windows showing evidence of nightfall.

I'm a used dishrag, flattened to the floor, struggling to push myself to my knees and check on

Lucas.

Grimoire's hands grab onto my arms, pulling me up. He's huge again, his flames higher than normal, his eyes red instead of silver.

Where his hands touch me is odd; pressure without temperature. Not cold. Not hot.

My legs wobble as I struggle to my feet, grateful for Grimoire's steady grip on my arms. The room spins for a moment before settling, and I blink away the disorientation. My gaze lands on Lucas, sprawled across the couch.

He's asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. But something's off. Sweat glistens on his skin, running in rivulets down his face and soaking into his hair. His hands, resting on the couch, tremble visibly. My stomach knots. "Is he okay?"

Grimoire's grip on my arms tightens slightly. "His wolf is attacking the barrier.

in his voice sends a chill down my spine. I turn to look at him, searching his

want?" I ask,

across the room. "The wolf is already feral. Completely focused on reuniting with its other half. The moment he felt

turning to where

I spot her curled up on the floor. Her eyes are closed, nose tucked into her tail. She looks peaceful,

my head where she rests

mu elect Virlowire Lean't feel hart Solene'e

13

Waiting For Him to

is fine. She's fully immersed

breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "But why can't I feel her? She's always.

toward

nothing I can do except sit by his side and

in the carly hours of morning, there's

I ignore it.

leave Lucas' sweating form. He occasionally thrashes and even moans, but he doesn't open his eyes. Doubt creeps

Lucas isn't

we're going

heart aches to reach out and comfort him, but Grimoire made it clear:

breaks through my haze

talk"

tear my eyes away from Lucas to see Kellan and Lisa enter. Kellan's usually composed demeanor is frayed at the edges, his hair mussed and dark circles under his eyes. "The pack is going wild," he says, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I've spent the last. several hours breaking up fights between

Lucas, concern etching deeper lines on his

back," I reply, my voice flat

After a moment, he speaks again, his tone softer.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to explain further. "Lucas' wolf has gone

some things to me. I