This time she didn’t stop him from beating him. She just stood there in her heels and her too-short skirt and began to cry.
The moment she began to cry, Adrian stopped beating Tyler up and stood up to come close to her. Tyler stood up and looked at Ava and Adrian. “Fuck.” Then he was off.
Adrian approached Ava and she backed away subconsciously, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
“Ava. Baby, it’s me, Adrian. Ava, look at me.”
She didn’t look up.
Adrian crossed the distance between them and this time she didn’t move away. He enveloped her in a hug so warm it chased away the chills that Tyler had caused.
“I’m sorry, Ava. I’m so sorry.” Adrian pulled back and wiped her tears away before kissing her forehead. Ava buried her head back in his chest and he held her.
Adrian wanted to chase Tyler down and castrate him so that he would never do something like that to another woman. His thoughts were so violent that it shook him.
Adrian could no longer deny the truth. He was falling hard for Ava. He had to send her away.
********
The great thing about winter was that after the first rainfall, the pack always celebrated it with bonfire nights. It was a way to celebrate life and the year before.
So when the rain began to fall as she reached home from the tragic date, Ava knew the bonfire would be the next night. Weird that Ava didn’t feel alive at all at that moment. Adrian drove away immediately and she got down from the car deep in thought.
Ava walked into the house and saw Gabrielle asleep in front of the TV, a half-eaten tub of popcorn beside her with the closing credits of a movie playing out on the screen. Ava wanted to wake her up but she wasn’t ready for the dissection that Gabrielle would give her so she walked up the staircase feeling cold and wet in her revealing outfit.
Ava stripped quietly and entered the shower letting the hot water drip down on her as she scrubbed and scrubbed her skin as though she could wash off the invisible stains Tyler’s hands left on her body.
Ava brushed her teeth two times before leaving the bathroom.
It’s not your fault. Liana said softly.
But it was. I chose to go out on a date with him. What if Adrian hadn’t shown up? He could have–
No, I wouldn’t have let him. And more importantly, you wouldn’t have let him because you are strong and brave and you shouldn’t blame yourself for someone being a dick. Liana said convincingly.
Ava smiled slightly. I think that’s the most you’ve spoken to me since I refused to take Adrian as my mate. You know I feel because I was working so hard to not be a slave to this bond, to not fall for Adrian and hurt Gabrielle, I pushed myself into the most uncomfortable situations even when I wasn’t feeling it and hurt a lot of people. Even you, Liana.
Liana seemed contemplative. I might have been a little too hard on you. We are supposed to be a team. I ache to be with my mate but I want you to be happy even more. I will abide by your decisions Ava, even though I know for a fact that Adrian will be good for you. You two will be great for each other.
Adrian is a pretty good person. He’s more than a little arrogant and hard-headed but he’s always had my back when I really needed it. If only he had been someone else. Someone I didn’t have to betray my sister and family’s trust to be with, maybe… Ava trailed off.
There was no use thinking about things that couldn’t be so Ava pulled on her pajamas and went to bed listening to the splatter of raindrops against the rooftop.
“I thought we would have more time until the first rain I swear. It’s almost a month earlier than last year’s.” Ava’s mom complained as she stirred the food she was cooking before checking out the snacks in the oven.
While almost everyone with a kitchen brought a casserole, Marie Connor’s food was the main dish for the dinner following the bonfire.
Ava and Gabrielle had been up since the crack of dawn helping out. Ava noticed Gabrielle was in a foul mood but she couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason why. She hadn’t even asked Ava how the date had gone which was so not Gabrielle’s style. She had expected a thorough grilling on the date only to meet Gabrielle in this weird mood.
The preparations went on till just after one in the afternoon. After that, Ava went up to her room reeking of spices, took a shower and promptly fell asleep.
“Then I told him ‘screw you and your two inches’.” Jenny laughed and Ava joined in, scandalized.
“Oh no, you didn’t.” Ava gasped in between bouts of laughter.
“Oh, but I did.” Jenny giggled.
It was dark out and the bonfire had just started. The group games would soon begin but for now, people converged with their friends and shared stories and experiences.
“Pity Dylan had to leave for that last-minute registration glitch two days ago. He’ll be so pissed that he missed the bonfire.” Ava commented.
“I know but at least us girls finally get some time to bond and you can finally tell me why you have been acting weird these past months.”
Ava froze, taken unawares. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Jenny.”
Jenny was unfazed, she folded her arms. “Spill. Who is he?”
“He? What are you talking about? I have no man in my life.” Ava protested suddenly, aware of how many people were near them and who could eavesdrop on this conversation.
“Ava, I’ve known you all your life. I know when you are having boy troubles.” Jenny tapped her nose. “I can scent it.”
“Jenny, it’s really not–”
“Ava!”
Ava stopped mid-sentence to look at who was calling her name. It was Calvin, the future Gamma of the pack who was also her brother and Adrian’s friend.
“Calvin?”
“Ava, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Calvin said, sucking in another breath quickly like he had been running around for a while.
“Yeah? What happened? Is everything alright?” Ava was suddenly worried. Had something happened to Alex? Surely they would have heard about it by now from her parents.
Calvin started to speak then hesitated as he noticed Jenny next to Ava.
“Don’t worry. Whatever you want to say, Jenny can hear it.” Ava waved away his concerns, her anxiety only going up.
Calvin nodded. “Alright, Adrian wants to see you after the bonfire.”
“Sure.” Ava wanted to slap herself across the face. How had she made such a colossal mistake? There was no way Jenny wouldn’t put two and two together now. Sure enough the moment Calvin was out of sight, Jenny pulled at her arm to turn her in her direction.
“Adrian? Really? Have you lost it?”
“Keep your voice down. I’ll tell you all about it
later.”
“Goddess. Is it actually true?” Jenny looked like she was about to pass out or something.
“Gather around everyone,” Adrian announced. And wolves began to move towards the bonfire. Ava hastily stood up eager to escape this awkward conversation with Jenny. Why did Adrian have to send Calvin to summon her?