Novels by Ava

Alaric’s POV The cold light of morning filtered through the academy’s tall, narrow windows as I stepped out into the courtyard. The echoes of last night’s tumult still clung to the stone walls, but now there was an air of calm—a fragile, tentative peace that I was determined to nurture. I could almost taste the promise of a new day, even as the bitter whispers of scandal and gossip from the previous day still lingered in the corridors. I walked slowly toward the main entrance, the faint murmur of students’ hushed voices floating around me, but I paid them no mind. My focus was singular: to find Elowen. I needed to see her smile again, to hear her gentle laugh that had, for a moment, made me believe that perhaps the past could be mended. There, beneath an ancient oak in a secluded corner of the courtyard, I found her. She stood alone, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if she were waiting for something—or someone—to come rescue her from her own haunted thoughts. Her dark hair cascade

Alaric’s POV The echoes of the courtyard confrontation still rang in my ears as I strode through the academy halls. Every step I took was measured, each one driven by a single, unyielding purpose: to protect Elowen, no matter the cost. The whispers of gossip trailed behind me—snatches of voices, venomous and envious, spreading rumors of seduction and betrayal. But I cared little for the idle tongues of students. My only focus was her safety. I found her in a quiet alcove near the rear of the academy, where the faded murals of our ancestors looked on in silent judgment. Elowen sat on a stone bench, her eyes red and distant, the traces of the earlier turmoil still evident on her delicate features. I paused at her side, letting the charged silence speak between us. “Elowen,” I said softly, my voice a low rumble of both tenderness and controlled fury, “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.” She looked up at me, her gaze filled with a storm of conflicting emotions—hurt, anger, and a ling

Alaric’s POV The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the academy’s courtyard, where the usual hum of chatter and gossip had turned into a simmering cauldron of whispers. I had been standing by the ancient stone fountain with Elowen when the commotion began—a harsh, discordant note in our fragile peace. Lisa stormed into the center of the crowd like a vengeful tempest, her eyes wild and venomous. “You think you can seduce him, don’t you?” she spat, her voice loud enough for every student to hear. The vulgarity in her tone was matched only by the cruelty in her accusations. “Elowen, you shameless wench—trying to steal Alaric away from me! You’re nothing but a filthy tramp, and you’ve ruined everything!” The courtyard fell silent for a moment as her words sliced through the air. I saw the shock in Elowen’s eyes, the pain in her posture. Before I could intervene, Lisa shoved Elowen roughly aside, sending her stumbling. Gasps erupted among the onlookers; gossipers and cynics alike fille

Elowen’s POV That evening, the academy’s corridors were quiet, the echoes of the day’s promise still lingering in the air like a soft melody. I wandered down a dimly lit hallway, the events of the afternoon—our tender confessions, gentle laughter, and tentative touches—still playing in my mind like a delicate film. I wasn’t sure where this path would lead, but something inside me, a small ember of hope, urged me onward. I found Theron waiting in a secluded alcove near the library, where a single window framed the twilight sky. He looked up as I approached, his eyes lighting with a softness that made my heart tremble. The night was cool, but as soon as he smiled, the chill seemed to fade away. “Elowen,” he said quietly, his voice imbued with both warmth and an unspoken promise. “I’ve been thinking about our walk earlier... about how every word felt like a step toward something new.” I hesitated, glancing down at my hands. “It was a beautiful walk, but my mind is still a mess,” I a

Elowen’s POV Later that afternoon, as the academy’s bustle faded into a gentle hum, I found solace in the secret gardens tucked away behind ancient stone walls. The late sunlight filtered through the canopy of lush trees, scattering golden flecks across the dew-laden grass and blooming wildflowers. I wasn’t alone for long. Theron was waiting by a trickling fountain, its soft murmur a quiet counterpoint to my racing thoughts.I approached hesitantly, still wary of the ghosts of our past but undeniably drawn to his steady presence. As I neared, he turned and offered a warm, tentative smile that made my heart skip. His eyes, dark and sincere, held the promise of something gentle—a world that might be kinder than all that had come before.“Elowen,” he said softly as I reached him, “it feels like this place was made for moments like these.” I managed a small smile in return, brushing a damp lock of hair behind my ear. “It does have a way of making the world seem… simpler.” My voice trem

Elowen’s POV The morning after our moonlit walk, the academy’s courtyard was bathed in soft, golden light. Dew still clung to the grass, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine. I found myself wandering the quiet grounds, the echoes of our whispered promises from the night before lingering in every step.I hadn’t planned to see Theron again so soon—but fate, it seems, had its own designs. There, under an ancient oak whose gnarled branches stretched protectively overhead, he stood waiting. His dark eyes, warm and sincere in the morning glow, met mine as soon as I approached.“Good morning, Elowen,” he said softly, a tender smile playing on his lips.I paused, my heart fluttering unexpectedly. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though the memory of our garden kiss sent ripples of warmth through me.Theron stepped closer, closing the distance between us until we stood nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. “I was thinking,” he began, his voice tentative yet ea

Amara's POVI couldn’t believe it. Every word Selena had said hit me like a thousand knives, each one sharper than the last. I felt my chest constrict, the pain unbearable, my heart shattering into pieces. How could they? First Jaxon, and now Ryder? It was as if my entire world had crumbled around me.“Amara…” Selena’s voice pierced the silence again, her smirk wide and unapologetic as she watched me from across the hallway. “You should’ve seen it. Ryder and I—" She paused for effect, clearly enjoying the torment she was causing. "It was just like old times.”I couldn’t breathe. My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. The weight of her words crushed me, but I refused to let her see me break. I turned on my heel, trying to keep my composure, but the tears spilled over. My steps faltered, and I ran—away from Selena, away from the pain.I heard footsteps behind me, fast and determined. Caden.“Amara, wait!” His voice was gentle, but I couldn’t stop. I just needed to get away fro

Amara's POVThe day had started off like any other. I sat in the cafeteria, a cup of coffee in hand, trying to keep my thoughts from drifting back to everything that had been happening lately. But it was hard. It was impossible to ignore the knot in my stomach every time I thought about Ryder, Jaxon, Caden, and the mess we were all in. My wolf was restless, growling in the back of my mind, unsure of what to make of everything. It didn’t help that Selena was always around, throwing herself into situations where she could get a reaction out of me. I had always known she was trouble, but now it felt like she was out for blood.I was staring blankly at my phone when I felt a presence looming over me. My heart dropped when I saw her...Selena, of course.She was standing right in front of me, a smirk plastered on her face, her arms crossed as if she owned the place. “Hey, Amara,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness and something else. A challenge.I looked up, trying to keep my emo

Ryder's POVThe hallway was silent, the only sound the faint echo of my footsteps on the polished floor. The weight of everything was pressing down on me, Amara’s silence, her distance, and my inability to break through the walls she’d built around herself. Every moment with her felt like we were on the edge of something, but I didn’t know how to bridge the gap. My mind was a mess, and no matter how hard I tried to focus, all I could think about was her. I couldn’t get her out of my head, no matter how hard I tried.I turned a corner and stopped in my tracks when I saw a shadow lingering near the door. The shape of the person was familiar, but in the haze of confusion clouding my thoughts, I didn’t pause to question it. “Amara?” I called, my voice hoarse, a bit of hope creeping in despite myself.The figure didn’t immediately respond, but the silence only lasted for a second before they moved closer. And just as I thought I might finally be able to talk to her, to make sense of ever

Amara's POVThe tension between Caden and me had been building for days, and now, sitting next to him on the couch, it was almost unbearable. Every glance he gave me, every subtle touch, seemed to ignite something deep inside me. I was still sorting through the mess in my heart, torn between the past and the present, between Jaxon and the undeniable connection I was starting to feel with Caden.I glanced over at Caden, finding his eyes already on me. He didn’t say anything, but there was a silent understanding between us. It was as if we both knew what the other was feeling but didn’t quite know how to say it. The air around us seemed to thrum with unspoken words, an energy that neither of us could deny."Amara," Caden said softly, his voice low and filled with something I couldn’t quite place. "You don’t have to do this alone. I know it’s hard, but whatever happens with Jaxon, I want you to know you’re not alone in this."My breath caught in my throat as his words settled over me. It

Amara's POVThe days that followed were a blur. Everything felt like a mixture of confusion and lingering pain, but somehow, Caden’s presence made it bearable. He was always there, steady, calm, and unwavering, while Jaxon seemed to be avoiding me, and the rest of the world continued around us. Every time I thought about Jaxon, about the kiss I’d seen, my chest tightened. It was like a knot I couldn’t untangle. I kept asking myself why. Why did he do it? Why was he so careless with me, with us?But Caden....Caden never stopped being there. He was my anchor in the storm, even when I didn’t deserve it. I was still angry, still hurting, but there was a small part of me that couldn’t help but feel grateful for his support.One afternoon, as I sat on the couch, my eyes glued to the TV but my mind far away, Caden came in, carrying two cups of hot chocolate. He sat beside me, handing me one, his eyes soft with understanding. "I know you’re still upset," he said, breaking the silence. "But

Amara's POVMy heart hammered in my chest, every beat pounding like a drum as I stood frozen in the doorway, my vision blurring with the sting of tears. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. Jaxon, my Jaxon, the one I had opened my heart to, was kissing her. Stephanie. His ex. And the way they looked at each other… like nothing had ever changed. Like the bond I thought we shared meant nothing to him. I couldn’t breathe. My throat tightened, and it felt as though the room was closing in around me. The world spun, the voices of their whispers, the sound of their kiss, everything muddled into a single, unbearable weight. I didn’t stay to watch. I couldn’t. My feet carried me out of that room, my body moving on its own, driven by the need to escape, to get away from the suffocating pain. The hallway stretched before me, but my legs felt weak, unsteady, like I was walking through a fog. Tears blurred my vision, each step I took more difficult than the last. I could barely see where