The next three days had passed in a heart-wrenching blur for Ava. Having to contain the pain and heartbreak from the rejection.
She knew exactly what she was getting into when she had rejected him as her mate, Consoled by the thought of and knowing that he was affected even more than she was.
Trying to keep herself busy and active had not worked either, she was still in pain, and worse of all, the thought of that night was constantly in her mind.
He had to accept the rejection to make this work, but from all indications, he had not done that, and Ava doubted he would.
The way he had kissed her and held her that night, the look on his face after she rejected him.
He did not look like a man that would accept such rejection so easily.
Ava lay down, resting her back on the lounge chair, crossing her feet lazily, and smiling at the soft evening sun that kissed her skin on the balcony.
Her right hand snaked under her head to support it, while her left hand rested on her naked belly.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled slowly, filling her lungs with warm evening air, her eyes closed shut as she rested.
She sighed, the whole Damon thing was slowly becoming unbearable, she saw him, felt him, and her lips still throbbed when she thought of the kiss.
Her heart raced almost like she had fallen for him, Ava felt her breath hitched as the realization dawned on her.
She was in love with Damon, the same Damon Walter that had ruined her teenage and traumatized her.
Ava could perceive her wolf fretting within, growling lowly in warning, she was still angry, Even angrier than Ava herself.
Ava could tell it was her subtle way of keeping her in check and reminding her of all they had been through together, all because of this same man.
“Chill,” Ava told her, rolling her eyes.
“You are in love with him, the wrong man.” her wolf reminded her.
Ava sighed, she knew that more than anyone, that was why she had rejected him. Her wolf raged as she reminisced on the past.
“Damon please.” She remembered screaming as he dragged her on the floor.
She fought to free her hair from his strong grip all to no avail, retorting to begging yet all her pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
It was raining heavily that day, and he had thrown her into the rain, without a second thought.
And what had she done, she had made a cup of coffee with three cubes of sugar instead of two.
He had thrown her into the rain for that reason, leaving her to drench in the cold of the rain while his friends laughed.
Like she was some comedy actor putting up a show for them.
Ava had thought…no, Mitchell she corrected herself, he could never hurt her now. He might have been able to hurt Mitchell, but he would never hurt Ava, she had grown past being the damsel she was.
She remembered them vividly, those days when she had cried in her bed in the dark of night, wondering where she had gone wrong.
What she might have done to him to warrant all that bullying, but she had always come up with no answer, she was innocent.
Without even knowing Damon had created Ava, he had been the trigger, one way or the other, his bullying had made her more determined to be stronger.
And she had done just that, with the help of alpha Jude, she and been able to build herself and her confidence back up.
She remembered those nights she had stayed up practicing, cold nights when everyone else was retired to bed.
Ava would stay up, driven by one thing, determination, and the urge to revenge.
Her hard work had paid off as she was one of the most skilled fighters of the mist wood pack, Something she held herself in pride for.
“Ma?” a voice called, bringing Ava out of her reverie.
“What do you want?” Ava asked without even opening her eyes, she knew who it was.
“Your routine bath, ma.” He said a little shakily.
“What’s about it?” Ava asked harshly, still not opening her eyes.
“It’s a ready, ma, it’s time for your bath.” He repeated, his gaze fixed on the patterns on the wooden floor.
“I should be there soon,” Ava said, waving him off, listening to his footsteps as he scrammed away from her presence.
She had learned to command power from people a long time ago, still all thanks to Damon’s bullying.
Ava stood up and followed the maid, walking briskly to her special bathroom, where she had her daily routine beauty bath.
She inhaled deeply as she walked into the bathroom, smiling as the scents of roses and cinnamon wafted through her nostrils.
The rose petals scattered on the floor gave a beautiful and colorful look, and she nodded at the maid in approval.
Stepping out of her clothes, she submerged herself into the warm water in the bathtub, sighing at the relief.
The warm water tightened her skin and soothed her tense muscles, making her dip herself deeper as far as she could into the tub.
The rose petals scattered atop The water tickled her skin softly while eliciting the sweetest scents.
Ava stayed in the water until it ran cold, stepping out and wrapping herself in a warm towel.
Dabbing her body dry with the towel, she proceeded to throw on a white flowing robe around her body.
Gazing at herself in the mirror as she did, with a sigh and one last glance, she strutted out of the bathroom.
Slowly walking through the large corridors that led to her room, making her way to room when she heard voices from Alpha Jude’s study, she could make out voices.
Not just his, he was with someone, and she wondered who it was, he usually kept all work out of the house, so she was surprised.
He had been out all day too, she wondered when he had come in and why he had not even bothered looking for her or asking about her.
Pulling her robe down tighter over her body to cover her thighs more, Ava walked towards the office.
She could hear the unmistakable voice and hoped it was not who she thought it was.
As she got closer to the door, his voice became more prominent, Damon? Ava asked herself silently, it could not be.
The door stood tall and slightly ajar, enough for her to take a quick and quiet peek.
Her jaw dropped when she saw him, what the hell was he doing here, her wolf growled.
They were having a chat, she could not make out exactly what they were saying, but they looked like they were having a good talk like old friends.
Ava backed away from the door, speed walking to. Her room and slamming the door shut.
Pacing the floor, hugging her robe tightly to her body, she wondered why he was here, why was he talking to alpha Jude? They were even laughing like old friends.
Ava creamed her body and got dressed, wearing a set of pink floral pajamas and pajama bottoms.
Her mind reeled with more questions with each passing minute, she needed answers, and only alpha Jude could go be her.
The door swung open, and Alpha Jude strolled in with a giant smile on his face, he looked so happy anyone could see it.
“Hey, I need to introduce you to someone.” He said, gesturing for her to come with him.
“No, I’m not feeling too good right now.” Ava lied, she knew where this was going.
“Come on princess.” Alpha Jude said, walking up to her and massaging her shoulders lightly, “it will be just for a minute.” He assured her with a gentle squeeze on her shoulder.
“Okay,” Ava answered, she had no choice but to oblige.
Walking slowly behind him, Ava rolled her eyes, hoping on all hope that she didn’t regret this.
“This is alpha, Damon.” Aloha Jude said. “Alpha of the Westwood pack and now a very good allegiance and business partner.” Alpha Jude said, beaming.
“Hello, Ava. I have heard so much about you in the short time I have been here.” Damon said, with a hand stretched for a handshake.
Ava stared at him sternly, she could not hide the hatred, and she would growled too, but she calmed her down.
“Ava.” Alpha Jude called when he saw she wasn’t responding accordingly.
“I should go back inside,” Ava said simply, “good night.” She added and turned to walk away.
“I’m sorry about that, she must be stressed or something.” She could hear Alpha Jude apologize solemnly as she walked away.
What was he doing here? She asked herself, trying to worm his way back into her life. She had to stop him.