Anya was silent for a minute when she spoke her tone was frosty as ice.
“So what you are trying to tell me is that you were granted a mate by the moon goddess, a rarity and a privilege, but you decided to come all the way here to disturb me because ‘you don’t like the girl’. Because you are Sean’s son, you will leave here with your life, however, I do not want to see your face here ever again. Get out.”
Adrian’s pulse pounded in his ear. He couldn’t leave this place without a solution but did he really want to anger Anya, especially with the precGabbyous situation in the pack that might require her guidance and assistance?
He went on his knees and pressed his head to the ground in front of Anya. “Please pardon my insolence, Anya. The situation is direr than you think. The rogues are beginning to attack as a group, we suspect there might be more to the situation than meets the eye. We have been attacked once by a small force, more attacks might be yet to come. It will soon be time for me to assume my mantle as Alpha of the pack and my Alpha training is far from done. With so much uncertainty on the horizon, the last thing I need right now is a distraction.”
Anya looked contemplative. “Sean didn’t tell me about the rogues.” She muttered as if talking to herself.
Her gaze sharpened as she looked down at Adrian. “I do not agree with this decision of yours, Young Alpha but I can see it is done with the concern of your pack at heart. The mating bond cannot be completely severed and will continue to pull the both of you together. However, if you were to send this mate of yours far away and remain apart, the pull will diminish over the long distance. I do not recommend this though.”
Adrian raised his head. His decision was made.
*******
“I can’t believe you are opening a store already. I am so happy for you.” Ava hugged Jenny and Jenny giggled.
They had been catching up for hours now. Dylan was running late so Jenny had broken down and told Ava about her store’s opening.
Ava couldn’t believe Jenny was already opening a clothing store and line. No, she could believe it. Her girl had been putting in so much effort so definitely it was going to pay off. It just seemed like Ava was the only one stuck in one phase in her life. Adrian.
It had been a week since the dinner and everything wasn’t fine. Okay, things were fine but Ava could barely face herself. She felt that ashamed about everything that had gone down. Gabrielle hadn’t even suspected a thing making her feel even worse.
To his credit, Adrian had kept their interactions since then brief and distant even when they were alone. Especially when they were alone. It was a relief and a bother. It was a relief because she wanted to do right by her sister and she didn’t like Adrian. It was a bother because somehow she still noted every time their fingers grazed and every touch no matter how innocent or casual it was.
That was why she was here with Jenny. She wanted to remember who she had been before all this started. Ava just wanted to find her way back to herself.
“Thank you. You will patronize me, right?”
“Is that even a question? Of course, I will. I will also recommend you to everyone who comes to Mom’s parties. Just watch out, I’ll have you flooded with so much work you will be unable to breathe.”
Jenny laughed. “I look forward to it. So tell me what’s going on with you. You have been looking so… off-kilter lately. Is everything good?”
“Good? I’ve been great. Volunteering work at the clinics has been great. I’ve met so many people and learnt so much. I’ve also taken up physical combat training, I feel much stronger already. Some days though I think Nelson is trying to kill me or something. This morning, I could have sworn I sprained a muscle in my ass.”
Both of them exchanged a glance and then began laughing hysterically.
After the laughter subsided, Jenny looked at Ava. It was one of those deep penetrating looks that made Ava feel like Jenny could see into her soul.
“You are good, right, Ava? I don’t know why I feel like you are holding back with me or something.”
Ava forced a smile. “I’m good, promise.”
Jenny narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
“You guys miss me?” Dylan’s boisterous voice cut through the tension and Jenny gave Ava a look that said their conversation was far from over before turning to Dylan.
As they exchanged hugs and tales, Ava was glad she and Dylan had been able to get over all the emotions and the whole Adrian laying into him issue and continued to build a solid friendship.
“Ahem. So I have some news guys.” Dylan announced suddenly.
They looked up at him anticipatorily.
“So I got accepted at a human school of art. I start in two months.” He looked happy.
“What?”
“No way!”
“It’s so unreal even for me. I’ve always wanted to go there so it still feels so unreal for me.” Dylan blushed, his lips pulled up into a toothy grin.
“I’m so happy for you. Congratulations Dylan.” Ava said, getting all teary and emotional.
“Me too,” Jenny said, giving him a side hug. “We’ll all miss you here though. Especially your babe, Cynthia.” Jenny wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Dylan coughed awkwardly scratching the back of his head. “We weren’t… we aren’t a thing.
“Shut up!” Jenny’s eyes were wide in disbelief. “That’s not possible. Right, Ava?”
“Hey, don’t drag me into this. I have no idea about any of this.” Ava had kind of figured it out herself after the entire Adrian beating Dylan up incident.
“She’s always been a little… attached to me. I had to let her down easily shortly after Ava’s birthday. We are cool now.” Ryan explained shrugging. “So can we please move on to another topic? Like why Jenny currently has a bird nest on her head?”
It was obvious he was trying to change the conversation. Jenny didn’t disappoint. “What did you just say?!!”
*****
Adrian was on his 50th push-up when Gabrielle entered his room and shut the door behind her.
“Baby.” Her voice was low and sultry. Adrian stopped his workout. As he stood up to properly greet her, she pulled on a ribbon on the dress and it fell to the ground leaving her fully naked.