Banished Ava
Nani and Cian entered the alpha’s chambers behind him, Lucas had just come in with Sabrina after the judgement, they both sat on the couch before Lucas turned to see them come in.
“How dare you barge into my chambers like that?” He growled at them.
“We are sorry,” Nani said, “but we came to try to persuade you to change your mind about your judgement on Ava. I know that the punishment is fair, but you can’t send her away Lucas; you alone need her more than anyone else in the world.”
“There was a time I used to think that I couldn’t do without Ava, Nani, but now, I realize that time is no more, I don’t think I can ever erase the memory of what happened today from my mind, I don’t think I’ll ever forgive her.”
“Lucas De’ Clan… can you even hear yourself??? This isn’t you….”
He began to raise his tone, “do not get on my nerves Nani! I think I was more than fair by sparing her life, you of all people should know what would’ve have happened if it were another alpha involved.”
“But you’re not like the other alpha’s Lucas, you have so much love in you for your mate, she’s a human just like everyone else, why send her away just like that? All because of a mistake?”
Cian then cut in, “please alpha Lucas, I agree with Nani, you have to reconsider your decision. I don’t support what she did, but ever since she came, she’s changed a lot of things that were wrong before in the dawn house before, we need her here, you can’t send her away. We beg you, please reconsider.”
Sabrina nudged closer to him on the chair and began stroking his face, she then wrapped his arm around her shoulder while she spoke, “alpha Lucas, you don’t need this, you’ve just been through a heartbreak, don’t let anyone make you feel bad for doing the right thing. Ava was not truly all she seems.”
Upon hearing Sabrina’s words, Nani couldn’t control herself, “don’t you ever say such words about her again! And who do you think you are to talk about Ava like that? Did you know her…?”
“That’s enough! All of you! Nani Rosalyn! You have no right to come here and try to convince me to reverse my judgement all because you think I’m acting based on my anger. Ava did something wrong and she was punished for it, the punishment stands, and I hope by now, she’s out of the dawn territory as she is no longer welcome here. I don’t want to hear another word about this from your mouth, now get out! All of you!”
Nani bowed and stormed out of the room, followed by Cian. Sabrina was about to continue with her seductive mission until Lucas sent her away too.
“I meant you too Sabrina! Get out!”
**********
Ava huddled her legs close together, sitting on a big log in front of the fireplace she’d made in the cold woods, she was all alone. As she sat staring into the crackling flames, she couldn’t help but think about all that had happened to her today, she’d stopped crying since not because she didn’t want to, but because there were no tears left to cry, seems as if she’d emptied up her eyes after leaving the pack house; they were all puffy and swollen.
She’s out of the dawn territory now, and she has nowhere else to go, she’ll be spending the night here before she can continue her journey in the morning, going wherever Layla takes her. She just hopes that she’ll be able to make it through the night, she hopes that no harm will come to her here.
Suddenly, she heard rustling of trees and leaves close by, and the sound of footsteps, her heart sank. Could it be the rogues? A wild animal? Was this truly the end for her?
She stood up and picked up a big tree branch on the ground close by, ready to defend herself with her not-so-strong weapon. She might be alone now but… she suddenly heard more rustling sounds, distracting her thoughts.
“Who’s there?” She asked, her legs shivering even though she had a warm fire burning close to where she stood, the shivering didn’t come from the cold atmosphere, it came from the fear she felt in her heart.
The answer to her question came right through as suddenly through the large forest trees, Nani, Cian and Kiara appeared.
“Oh Ava!!” Nani cried as she ran towards her, dropping the bag she carried to hug her tightly. “Thank the goddess for this fire you put up! We’ve been searching for you for hours!!!”
“Nani? Cian, Kiara!” Ava chuckled, the fear in her heart subsided upon seeing her friends. “What are you all doing here?”
Kiara came closer for her own embrace, “You didn’t think we’d leave you all alone out here, did you?”
“Aww!! You guys! But… you didn’t have to!”
“What do you mean we didn’t have to? Of course, we did, look at you! All hungry, tired and exhausted, you don’t even have a bed to rest your head for the night!” Nani then picked up her bag and began opening it, she brought out a blanket and a wrapped sandwich and handed them to Ava.
Ava shook her head, refusing, “thank you Nani, but you’re not supposed to be helping me, none of you are. You’ll be killed if Lucas finds out!”
“If Alpha Lucas wants to kill us for helping out one of our own; one of HIS own, then let him go ahead. You and I both know that you can’t survive outside of the dawn territories on your own with rogues scattered everywhere, so stop letting your fears get in the way and accept the help we are giving you.”
Ava hesitated for a moment, and then finally gave in, collecting the sandwich as Nani helped her sit on the log again, wrapping the blanket around her. Ava felt moved, almost felt the need to cry again, if only she hadn’t promised herself she wouldn’t cry anymore.
“This warms my heart. Thank you so much! All of you.”