OSCAR
We could all feel how stressed and upset Ava was, and that’s before you even get to the pain where
she felt three marked mate bonds snap. And, of course, she nearly had one forced upon her by
someone that wasn’t her fated mate.
She wanted to mark us all again so badly, but she was terrified. She was terrified that Elijah’s mark
was still going to stick and that we’d have difficulty removing it, unless he marked someone else.
From what we could tell, if we were interpreting all the legends correctly, is that he only managed to
remove hers just because her bond wouldn’t be complete until she had all four. Until that point… the
bond just hadn’t cemented yet.
We’d have to try to talk to Alpha Michael to see if his scholars found anything, or, hopefully one of us
could still reach Selene to find out how we could safely do this… but right now, we are in the dark
with broken mate bonds and an Alpha Queen who wants to give up.
“I wish we could get answers for her,” Theo’s voice was low, pained. He might not have had a marked
bond to break, but he still would have felt the threads of his bond with Ava being stretched and
starting to snap. Even mates that haven’t marked each other can lose their minds if one of them gets
hurt or dies.
It’s a brutal end to what is the goddess’ blessing.
“I’m going to get hold of Alpha Michael,” I replied. “He said he would get his scholars to look into
the legends… maybe they can find something on what happens if the bonds are broken.”
The three of them nodded. “If anyone is going to have literature that could help us, it’s the Eclipse
Mountain pack,” Callum sighed. “Either that, or one of us needs to somehow speak to Selene.”
“I’ve been trying and she hasn’t answered,” Noah replied.
“I’ll try whilst you get hold of Michael,” Callum added, voice strained. “Have you spoken to her yet,
Noah?”
He shook his head.
“I’ve managed to connect to her before, so I’ll just keep trying,” Callum didn’t even try to hide the
stress in his voice.
“And I’ll get hold of Michael.”
“Noah and I will go make sure Ava is as okay as possible,” Theo added. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
Everyone ran off to do what they needed to do, with Noah and Theo heading for the lake and Callum
and I finding quiet corners to sit down.
“Alpha Michael,” I linked.
“My King,” he replied. “How is our Queen doing?”
“Stressed and in pain, but she is on the up.”
“That’s good,” I could feel his smile through the link. “Our Queen is a fighter.”
“That she is. Michael… you said you were going to get your scholars to look into the legends. Is there
anything about what happens if the bonds with her fated mates are broken?”
He paused for a moment, the silence stony.
“I will get them to have a look, my King, and I’ll let you know as soon as I have anything.”
I thanked him, ended the link, and started heading towards the lake, pausing just outside of scent
range when I could see Ava.
AVA
I was enjoying sitting by the lake on my own, but I could have skipped with joy when Theo and Noah
joined me. Theo sat on my right, Noah on my left, both of them placing one hand on my thigh.
I leaned to the right, resting my head on Theo’s shoulder.
“I missed you,” I whispered. “More than I thought possible.”
“I missed you too, Ava. I’m sorry… I’m sorry I held back. If I hadn’t, none of this would have
happened.” The pain in his voice was so intense, my eyes welled up.
“It still would have happened, Theo,” I whispered in response, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “The timing
and exact circumstances would have just been slightly different. If our bond was cemented… it might
have even been more dangerous because he would likely have tried to kill one of you to damage the
bond.”
“I’m still sorry, Ava,” he replied.
“I know, Theo. And it’s okay. The five of us are back together.”
He leaned forward so he could tilt my head with two fingers under my chin before bringing his lips
down on mine.
The sparks between us were electric, it had been far too long since he’d kissed me. He deepened the
kiss, and when he did, I moaned against his mouth.
Noah’s hand that was closest to me was stroking my back, and I knew he would have been watching
me kiss Theo.
Theo pulled away from me, his breathing harsh as he stared into my eyes. “I love you, Avelina
Wroblewski.”
I couldn’t help the enormous smile that spread across my face. “And I love you too, Theodore Levi
Hughes.”
He leaned in to kiss me again, and at that point, I could feel someone was watching us, but it wasn’t
coming from Noah.
I spun to look at the treeline, noticing both Oscar and Callum standing there watching us. I waved at
them, motioning for them both to join us.
They sat behind me, and the four of them arranged themselves so they made a semi circle behind me,
all four of them making sure they had at least one hand on me at all times.
“We’re behind you, Ava, whatever happens. I promise,” Oscar whispered.
“We promise,” Callum, Noah and Theo said in sync.
“I love you all.”
“And we love you too, our Queen.”