Mountain Coast Pack, California.
“The coronation and mating ceremony will not hold tomorrow.”
Gabrielle had never learnt to like Anya even after discovering she didn’t have a romantic relationship with Adrian. She was just… Gabrielle got the distinct feeling that she was against her and Adrian’s relationship. That topped with all her weirdness was more than enough reason for Gabrielle Black to dislike her with passion.
Now she wanted to shift her mating ceremony.
“And why the bloody hell will that happen? It’s my mating ceremony, not yours last I checked.” Gabrielle tossed her a glare.
“Ours.” Adrian amended looking at Anya like she was a sage. He attached too much relevance to any nonsense that woman spouted out.
Gabrielle fumed looking at Anya.
They sat in Adrian’s office, just she, Adrian and Anya.
The woman acted like she was ancient or something when she was just a few years older than Adrian and Adrian let her boss him around.
It was fascinating to watch at first but it had quickly gotten old like this conversation.
“Adrian you can’t seriously be considering this woman’s crazy idea. Anya, tell me one good reason why we should even consider your proposition.”
“Gabrielle you will speak to Anya with respect.” Adrian turned to look at Anya. “Anya, please tell me why you want the mating ceremony to be shifted to a later date.”
“Young Alpha.”
Young Alpha. Ha.
Like she was ancient or something. The first thing Gabrielle would do as the Luna of this pack would be to clip that bitch’s wings.
“The stars are not in the most favourable position for a mating ceremony today. If the ceremony is done today, the longevity of your mating bond may be at stake.”
“Oh, so you are an astrologer now as well? I don’t know why the hell Adrian puts up with your nonsense–”
“Gabrielle! Enough. If you cannot be a part of this conversation in a civil manner, I will be glad to exclude you from this conversation.”
“But she… I didn’t even…” Gabrielle sputtered. What had she said wrong? Anya was obviously lying through her teeth. She didn’t know batshit about astrology, she just had it out for Gabrielle. Even if she did know about astrology, Gabrielle didn’t want to take such advice.
Adrian silenced her misgivings with a look that said if she said one more word, she would get out of the room and miss the rest of this conversation. Gabrielle kept mute while her body shook with anger.
“Anya, I believe you but we have planned everything already how could we possibly shift it? The stars,” Adrian said the last part like he believed it as much as she did, which was not at all. “Isn’t there a work about for it? Does it need to be shifted?”
Anya levelled such a serious look at Adrian that if Gabrielle hadn’t known she was fucking with her she would have been disturbed.
“Not if you want this mating to work. I have advised this pack for years. Your father prior to his illness always took my advice. I won’t push you to do the same. It remains your choice as always.”
Adrian rubbed the space between his brows and then looked at Anya.
“Will the day after tomorrow work out then? Because we can’t put it off for very long. The preparations are time-sensitive.”
Was Adrian allowing this woman to dictate their mating ceremony date?
“It wouldn’t be ideal but might work.” Anya considered and Gabrielle felt like giving her a tight slap but she knew Anya was stronger than she looked.
Gabrielle never started a fight she couldn’t win.
“Alright, the day after tomorrow it is.”
“But Adrian…” Gabrielle attempted. She knew his mind was made up already but she had to try.
“This is final, Gabrielle. Don’t question me.”
Anya inclined her head slightly, the only sign of respect for her future Alpha. She didn’t even look at her future Luna as she turned to leave.
This woman would pay heavily for her disrespect.
As Anya passed her by, Gabrielle could have sworn that she saw her smirk before she left the room.
The nerve on the lady! How dare she?!
If it were up to Anya, she would have pushed the ceremony’s date to a year off or to never.
The moment the door was shut, Gabrielle faced Adrian.
“Adrian that was bullshit and we both know it.”
Adrian reclined on his chair and regarded her. “I would have thought you of all people would want this.”
“Why would I want my mating ceremony to be shifted even by a day?”
“I wouldn’t mind doing it tomorrow if you so insist. It’s not like the longevity of our mating bond matters to me.”
“Could you be any more callous, Adrian?” Gabrielle found herself fighting back tears. It was crazy how easily Adrian could rip her apart with a few words.
“We are getting mated. Your dream is coming true. One extra day will not kill you.” He remained unshakable.
********
Spain
When Ava opened the door, Javier was there about to knock.
“Ava, I wanted to–”
He noticed her bag.
“You are leaving?” He sounded betrayed and Ava fought hard to not react.
“Yes. I’m returning to California today.”
“Alex mentioned he was leaving but he never said you were too.”
“Plans change.”
“And you didn’t tell me. Ava we are friends. If you didn’t want us to be more, it doesn’t negate the fact that we are friends first. How could you leave without saying goodbye?”
“Javier. I guess I wanted to avoid this conversation. I thought it would be better that way but seeing you now I realize I was just being a coward. I couldn’t face you, especially after our last conversation.”
Ava looked at him. At a man she could have been happy with. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.” Ava wiped the tears from her face.
Javier moved forward and embraced her. His hand was around her shoulders buried in her hair.
“Shh, no need to apologise to me. It’s alright, don’t cry, I want to be the reason you are happy, not sad. If you need to go, if I’m not what you need right now, I understand.”
Ava buried her head in his chest and sobbed even more.
“I’m making it worse, aren’t I?”
Javier sounded panicked and Ava almost laughed. What had she done to deserve someone like him?
“No.” She sniffed. “I’m just emotional. Give me a second.” The sound of her voice was muffled by his shirt.
They stood like that for a minute while Ava collected herself.
When Ava finally pulled away, she wore a rueful smile.
“Sorry about the…” She gestured to the damp patch on his shirt.
“Oh, it’s not a big deal. Are you good now?” He closely examined her face for any sign of distress.
“Look at you worrying about me when I’m the one breaking your heart. I don’t deserve you.”
Javier took her hands. “You deserve the world. I wish I was the one who could give that to you but if I can’t I’ll settle for being your friend if you’ll let me.”
“I’ll always consider you a friend, Javier.” Ava wiped the remnants of tears on her face.
“Ahh, you warm my heart, Carino.”
At the sound of his friendly endearment for her she smiled. Then touched her face.
“Oh goddess, my nose is red, isn’t it? I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea to cry before travelling. Now I’ll be the only one in the airport looking weird.”
Other women might look pretty crying, not Ava though, she was an ugly crier, and she knew it herself.
“Relax, you look beautiful. You always do.” Javier smiled.
Ava stiffened at the warmth in his voice. It wouldn’t be so quick for him to get over his feelings for her but she’d hoped that their friendship wouldn’t–
“A beautiful racoon for now anyway.” His smile turned into a mocking smirk.
“Javier!”
“I’m sorry.” He sounded anything but contrite. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t or anything but why would you have make-up on while travelling?”
“Usually, I do it whenever I’m nervous – it’s calming – then I wash it off but I was already running late so I just–”
Ava looked at her watch. “Goddess! I need to leave now or I’ll miss my flight.”
“We can use my car.”
When they reached the airport, they were already calling for people boarding Ava’s flight. Her goodbye to Javier was hasty and much shorter than she would have preferred.
As the plane took off and Ava watched as the world became smaller and smaller all she could think about was the fact that in twelve hours she would be seeing her family again as well as the newly mated Alpha couple.
The mating was slated for yesterday although she hadn’t been able to reach any of them to ask how it went or inform them of her visit.
There was no problem, it would be a surprise then, she decided. She was returning home after 2 years. They would be ecstatic.