“Adrian?”
“Ava. Are you all right?”
“I am.” Ava said gruffly. He had let Cynthia escape. Ava turned to leave only her twisted ankle gave out beneath her. Adrian caught her, lifting her up bridal style.
“Adrian.” She squawked, batting her hands against him to drop her down.
He readily ignored her and carried her to a slab of rock and dropped her down. He carried her hurt foot in his hand. His hands were so warm and gentle as though she were fragile glassware.
“Care to tell me what that was about? You don’t usually get into catfights.” He said examining her foot.
“It’s none of your business.” Ava said roughly. How dare he ignore her and then suddenly act like this? Adrian raised his green gaze to meet her blue one.
“I won’t ask again, Ava.” His voice was strong and unyielding and somehow, Ava started talking. “She knows about us.” She felt Adrian go rigid beneath her. Then she went on to tell him about Dylan, the balcony, the disfiguring.
Adrian merely nodded when she finished talking. “Let’s get you to the clinic, but first…” He stood up and sniffed around until he found the canister. He corked it tightly very carefully.
“What are you going to do with that?” Ava asked.
“Don’t worry Ava. I’ll take care of everything.” Adrian bent so they were at eye level. Then he cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I won’t let you suffer because of me.”
“But Adrian…”
He lifted her in his arms and carried her towards the clinic.
See, he’s not so bad. Liana supplied unhelpfully.
Good of you to show up now. You sure took your time getting us out of that situation. I don’t understand why you are doing this, Liana. Ava replied.
He is our mate. He cares for us, he is supportive. We should be together.
What about Gabrielle? What about the pack and our parents who have already accepted their match? What about Adrian and me? We are like oil and water. We don’t mesh well. Every time we are close to each other, all we do is hurt ourselves. I can’t do it, Liana, I’m sorry. Ava said.
Liana was silent.
******
After meeting Anya, Adrian had immediately wanted to get Ava sent off but Ryan had put his foot down. He had threatened Adrian with completely cutting him off from his wolf side. He couldn’t be Alpha if he had no wolf after all.
Do you see now Ryan? Because of us, Ava was in danger today. If I had already sent her away, none of this would have happened.
Ryan was silent but the silence felt contemplative.
Adrian focused on where he was headed and the container in his pocket that seemed unexpectedly heavy.
*******
Gabrielle got the phone call after her shower. When she saw Adrian’s caller ID she had been elated, she’d thought maybe he wanted to fix a date or something. Then she picked up the call.
She shook uncontrollably and pulled on the first outfit in her cupboard. Gabrielle rushed out of the house towards the clinic. She hoped Ava was fine. On her way there, however, someone bumped into her. It was Cynthia. Her usually impeccably styled hair was streaked with dirt and dry leaves. Her face was a mess and she looked like she would soon have a dark eye or two.
“Gabrielle.” Cynthia hugged her and then pulled back. “Thank the goddess. I have to tell you something. Your psycho sister did this to me but no matter, I will tell you anyway. She beat me up, threatening me so that I wouldn’t tell you the truth. Ava is seeing Adrian behind your back.”
Gabrielle’s eyes widened and Cynthia smiled nodding. “Yeah. I know. Both of them seem to always hate each other but–”
Gabrielle stepped forward and slapped her. “Disgusting, Cynthia. I don’t know how I ever considered you a friend. I know what you were planning to do to my sister because of Dylan who couldn’t even give two fucks about you.”
“That’s not true. Dylan loves me!”
“We both know that isn’t remotely true. You tried to disfigure my sister and had the guts to come here and play the victim. You thought you would come here to ruin Adrian’s name, right?”
“Gabby, please believe me–”
“Shut the hell up. As though you haven’t done enough damage. It was you who called me to tell me about Adrian rocking that girl. Because of you, my relationship of so many years was nearly wrecked. Now after Adrian has finally started forgiving me, you want to try and split us up again?”
“Gabrielle, wake up. I’m not lying to you. Why would I lie about something like this?”
“Because you are jealous of me and you want me to be miserable and alone like you? Jokes on you, Cynthia because I will become the Luna of this pack by any means necessary. Adrian loves me to pieces and has never had eyes for Ava. She’s so unfeminine and rigid. Adrian only sees her as my annoying younger sister as he should. And Ava wouldn’t touch him with a five-foot-long pole.”
“If you really believe that then I pity you–”
“You should save your pity for yourself. For what you did, attacking the Beta’s daughter, you will be exiled from this pack and I will personally ensure it as the future Luna of this pack. The moment I saw you, I contacted Adrian. The pack guard will be here in seconds. Have fun being a rogue. I heard they don’t have skincare routines.” Gabrielle smiled cruelly.
As though she had conjured them with her speech, the pack guards surrounded Cynthia. Gabrielle turned her back on her former best friend and walked. “Gabrielle, please. Don’t let them take me away. I’m your friend. Gabrielle!”
“Anyone who tries to separate Adrian and me is my enemy. And I, Gabrielle Connor, do not spare my enemies.”