278 Ava: Lisa!!!


    There are at least seven wolves apanying a group of people, but my eyes follow only one of them.


    Lisa.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Whose face is as red as a tomato. Ken''s carrying her like a princess, naked as the day he was born, as if that''s the most natural thing in the world.


    Despite the humor of the situation, my heart withers at the sight of her. Once-vibrant features are now haggard, ck hair limp instead of lustrous. Her tanned skin has grown pale. At least she''s finally here.


    She''s staring at Ken like she wants to murder him. Always a good sign.


    "Lisa."


    Her name on my lips is a bare whisper, but Lisa''s head snaps in my direction as her eyes search frantically. Once she sees me, her entire face lights up, the redness forgotten as she struggles to escape Ken''s grip..


    She fails.


    He holds her tighter against his chest and I''m pretty sure he growls at me, but I don''t give a fuck as I rush forward, ignoring the awkwardness as I hug her while she''s in his arms. "Lisa. Thank fucking God. Are you okay?"


    "That''s my question-damn it, Ken, put me the fuck down!" She wiggles harder against his grip, clinging to me like a toddler. "I want to be with Ava!"


    "No."


    She growls her own human growl. "Ava, I''m going to stab him in his fucking balls if he doesn''t le


    me go.


    "No, you won''t." But Ken might mutiny against his alpha if I stay in his space now that he''s finally with his mate. "You''re just going to have to put up with it for a while."


    "I''m not putting up with this shit. Did you know he- Lisa''s mouth snaps closed as she looks around, seeing how many people are surrounding us. "Never mind. We''ll talk about thatter. In private:


    I have no idea whenter is going to be. Judging from Ken''s demeanor, he might drag her to hisir and never leave.


    "Ken, Lisa needs a little space to adjust." It isn''t that I don''t sympathize with him-I do-but I can see my best friend''s panic.


    "No," he says again, setting his jaw.


    "You should at least put on some clothes," I try again.


    "No" he enane


    278 Ava: Lisa!!!


    "Yes," she hisses.


    Oh, this is going great


    Lis was


    Of all the reunions I ever dreamed up-well, one of them. But now that it''s here, it feels so freaking Lisa that I''m giddy. "Bring her to my apartment and let her dpress for a little bit. Shower. Feel human. Rx. And then I can exin it all to her. Iy heavy emphasis on thetter half of the sentence, holding eye contact and trying with all my might to appear as authoritative as a Luna should be. "She deserves that, not this caveman wolf act."


    He hesitates, scowling as he holds my gaze, and everyone continues to watch in silence. Then he drops the eye contact with a dissatisfied rumble. "As you wish."


    Watching his naked behind storm in the direction of my apartment isn''t really a vision I ever wanted in my life, but there you have it.


    At least Lisa''s back.


    The surrounding wolves shift into their own naked forms, and I stare at the sky, assaulted by swinging dingalings in the breeze.s


    Jesus.


    There has to be a better way around this. With all the time I''ve spent away from packstely, it''s be awkward to see naked people again.


    "Go get dressed," I order all of them, never realizing how smoothly thates out of my mouth as I stare at the gnomes they''ve apanied here.


    "Dr. Jonathan ckwell, the old man announces, holding out a hand. "Pleasure to meet you


    you, Luna


    Ava."


    "I''m not- Biting back my denial, I just smile awkwardly. "Hello, Dr. ckwell."


    "He''s been helping the pack for a while, Ryder says, appearing at my elbow like he''s materialized out of thin air. "We thought he died in thest ambush. It''s good to see you again, Dr. ckwell. I didn''t realize you had the coordinates of the safe haven."


    "Yes, yes. The old man nods his head like a bobbing parrot. "It is good to see you still standing, Delta Thorn."


    "If it wasn''t for your warning, I might not be," he says grimly, and I wonder what all that''s about. Ryder me politely. "There''s an empty cabin to the south side. Shall I set them up there?"


    turns to


    "I-ah, yes?" Flummoxed by the deference, I respond without understanding.


    He nods. "Great decision, Luna. Dr. ckwell, due to the situation, I''m sure you''ll understand that there will be guards-


    His voice fades as they walk away, leaving me alone in the middle of the field, wondering what the hell just happened.


    I knock on the door of my cottage, half-expecting to hear Lisa''s shrieks of outrage. Or, worse,


    278 Ava: Lisa!!!


    There''s absolutely zero part of me that wants to deal with that new-mate situation.


    Instead, it swings open to reveal a dejected-looking Ken, his broad chest bare and jeans slung low on his hips.


    "What''s wrong?" I ask, though I have a pretty good idea.


    Ken''s shoulders slump. "She won''t let me near her."


    I bite the inside of my cheek to keep fromughing. He looks like a lost puppy, all sad eyes and drooping posture. It''s almost endearing, if you drooping posture. It''s almost endearing, if you forget he''s usually an intimidating beta wolf.


    "Well, if you came on pretty strong, I say, trying to keep my voice gentle, "It might take a while for her to warm up to you."


    A blush creeps up his neck, coloring his cheeks. Oh boy. I can only imagine what he tried.


    I can''t help but chuckle as I give him a light push out the door. "Why don''t you wait outside for a


    Give her some space. Trust me, if you want this to work out, you need to take it slow."


    Ken opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "You can stay nearby, just... not inside. Okay?"