Lost hope
Kiron just informed Nani of Ava’s summoning. This could only mean one thing; Lucas ready to decide what to do with his mate now. Nani should be elated, but she’s also worried. What if he doesn’t accept her back? What will become of Ava and her unborn child? Nani had arrived at the alpha’s chambers a few minutes ago, and she remained pacing in front of the doors, as she knew Ava was in there now, she waited for her to come out.
Nani hadn’t been there for long until the door opened, and a crying Ava came out. From what she was seeing, she knew that things didn’t go well in there.
“What?” Nani asked desperately. “What happened?? What did he say?”
Ava didn’t respond; only buried her face into Nani’s chest, weeping profusely. Nani could not make her talk at that moment, she could pat her head and hair, comforting her.
“Stop crying dear… it’s okay. It’s going to be okay,” she assured her.
“No, it’s not… He…” sniffs… “he sent me away…” Ava cried. “He sent… our child away…”
Nani shook her head, knowing that the truth was inevitable, maybe Ava went in there too early. Alpha Lucas’s wound is too deep… just too deep, Nani wonders if he’ll ever get over it.
Why does Lucas De’ Clan have to be so difficult? Even after all this poor girl has done for him. Nani wishes there was something she could do… something that would make Ava stay, but sadly…. There isn’t. She has tried, she has pleaded, talked, begged. Not only her, but Cian and Kiara as well, still… Lucas De’ Clan refuses to lift the ban off his mate. She does not know why the alpha has to be like this now, even after finding out about Ava’s pregnancy.
**********
It was about an hour later, Ava had stopped crying, and was ready to leave again, as she wasn’t supposed to be within these territories by dusk, she ought to begin her journey now so she would arrive at wherever she was going on time.
Nani and Cian saw her off to the border as she was about leaving.
“So where will you go now?” Cian asked her as they walked.
Ava shrugged… “I will be going back to the camps, but it will only be temporarily… I love it there, but for now… I have to search for more suitable conditions to raise my child.”
“Of course, dear,” Nani nodded. “Sleeping on the tent grounds aren’t the best conditions for the alpha’s child. It’s no way for royalty to live.”
Ava smiled, caressing her belly, “I’m not sure if this cub will ever have the chance to be called royalty, as the father doesn’t seem to want it.”
Nani took her hand, “oh, Ava… please don’t say that. I understand… you’re hurt by the way he treated you… but please… for the sake of your union, for the sake of this child… please, do not lose hope.”
“Where is the hope to keep, Nani? Let’s face it… our union can never be established, ever. I will raise this child on my own, I will make up for all the love that the father has refused to give.”
Ava’s words pierced Nani’s heart. What’s the point of keeping up hope for this union when the two lovers themselves have accepted the fate of their broken bond?
Ava continued, “since Lucas De’ Clan and I can never be together again, I will return to my former pack, as that is the only other land I’m familiar with. I hope I’ll be given a home there.”
“How sure are you that the moonlighters will take you back?” Cian asked.
“I’m not so sure… but I at least have to give it a try, for the sake of this child.”
“Don’t worry,” Cian assured her. “If it’s a home you need, I’ll try to arrange something with my former pack leader, alpha Daryl of the Daivie pack. I’m sorry but I’m not comfortable with you returning to moonlight territory, you might still have enemies there and I’m sure that if Lucas found out, he wouldn’t want that too.”
Ava shrugged, “that’s ok… Lucas doesn’t seem to care about wherever I go now.”
“No, Ava… That’s what you think, but I’ve been with Lucas long enough to know that he’s good at hiding so many of his emotions. The face he showed you today might not be how he really felt in his heart…”
Ava shook her head, dismissing Cian’s words, “no… I saw him, there was no mistaking it… he hates me, he still hates me so much for what I did, and he’ll never forgive me, I know that now.”
Nani tried again, “Ava, please… stop hurting yourself by thinking like this… I agree with what Cian said… you might not really know how the alpha feels in his heart.”
Ava remained adamant. “No matter what you or anyone says; I would still prefer to tell myself the truth; Lucas De’ Clan and I are never getting back together, never, ever!!!”
**********
Ava had been driven back to the camps in one of the trucks Cian prepared. They’d talked some more, and thankfully, she agreed not to return to the moonlight pack. Tomorrow, Cian would begin arrangements to prepare a home for Ava in the Daivie pack, as they all concluded that she and her child would be much safer there.
But then, Nani is still worried about the things Ava said. The girl seems to have lost all forms of hope in their union ever becoming restored. These were not the things Madeline told her would happen. Or where these the signs she ought to watch out for?
She did recall Madeline talking about some obstacles standing in the way of everlasting peace in the dawn house? Was it what was currently manifesting? Nani couldn’t help but ask herself so many questions… Were these signs the reason why Lucas sent Ava away again? Was it the reason why Ava refuses to nurse any form of hope in reuniting with the father of her child?
This all seems so confusing, and Nani knew she needed answers then, she knew she needed to pay Madeline a visit once more.