Ava's POVI sighed as I reached out to turn on the shower. A shiver ran down my spine as the icy cascade hit, and my swift retreat from the chilly stream was met with a startled gasp. "Shit, shit, shit." I never learned my lessons because every time I try to take a shower, it's either the extremely cold water or the hot one that pours out. "I think I have to write a note that says test the water with your hand before stepping under it."I picked up my lavender-scented shampoo as its fragrant wave enveloped the bathroom, transforming the mundane space into a sanctuary of soothing aromas. The floral notes lingered in the air, creating a serene atmosphere that captivated the senses and turned my routine act of washing my hair into a sensory indulgence. As I scrubbed, I gently reminded myself that this was my safe space; the only place I could forget everything that I was going through was my bathroom. Weird as that was, I loved every bit of bath time and took it very seriously as well. B
Ava's POV"My kids have done nothing to you! You got me into this with coercion. I don't even know who you are or what your connection with Aiden is! So, you keep my kids out of harm's way, just like you've been doing. If anything happens to my kids, you'll feel the wrath of a mother! Do not, even for once, perceive my supposed helplessness for weakness. And you tell that to your boss!"I flung my phone to the other end of the bed and let out a long sigh. At that moment, I felt like running free and wild. I wished I could even run away, but I've been running all my life and it has never helped me. Now was the time to face my past head-on so it wouldn't affect mine or my children's future any more than it already has.I stared long and hard at the ceiling, probably hoping to find a solution up there, but nothing was forthcoming. I had just had a panic attack, and here I was talking to the same man I saw once at the bar. "Shit, my life really was a mess! Funny how we've both turned our
Ava's POVHold on, was Logan thinking at all? He should automatically know that I didn't tell the police anything. At least I wouldn't be here if I did. What was he driving at?"Logan, what are you driving at?""What?""You asked if I told the police? What for?""Ohhh that, I was just practicing positive listening."That was a lie, and I knew it. I didn't know Logan well, but I could tell he was cooking something in his head at that moment."Logan, would you please excuse me? I need to put on some proper clothes. I'll meet you downstairs."He acknowledged he heard me with a nod of his head, and so he left and shut the door behind him. I stared at the door for a bit before standing up to get to my closet. I had to pass the full-length mirror before I could get to the closet. I had no intention of stopping, but my reflection looked horrific, so I stopped to look, and yes, I scared even myself. I didn't know how he managed to look at me while I was telling my story. I quickly looked for
Jason's POVI woke up at 5 am and wondered why I was on the couch. Was I so tired from last night that I couldn't make it to my room? I got up, but then I realized I live alone. How did I even get a blanket? I looked around and figured out I wasn't at my house; I was at Ava's. I was glad I remembered; otherwise, I might have walked into her room thinking it was mine.Now that I knew where I was, I felt bad for sleeping when I shouldn't have. Ava even gave me a blanket, meaning she found me asleep. After thinking for about 10 minutes, I decided to go for a jog and leave a note saying, "Meet me at the Golden café by 12 noon. Don't be late!" I emphasized the "don't be late" part because time was always important to me.As I left Ava's house, the morning air woke me up. The path ahead was peaceful, with the sound of my footsteps blending with nature. The sun shone through the trees, creating shadows on the path. Jogging became a peaceful time for me to think, surrounded by nature's quiet.
Ava's POVI looked at the caller ID and saw it was a number I didn't recognize, but I decided to pick up anyways."Hi there, Am I on to Miss Ava Silverpelt?""Yes, this is her. How may I help you?""Alright ma'am, I would be straight to the point. I have very important information for you and I would love to meet you at the Golden Café by 11:30.""Who are you? You can't just call me and expect me to meet you like that. What if you happen to be a kidnapper?""Don't let your thoughts run wild, Miss Ava. I have no such intentions.""Alright. May I at least have your name?""That's not an important factor." And with that, he dropped the call.I really don't understand how the drama in my life was a never-ending tunnel. It was always from one thing to the other with me. I quickly put a call through to Aurora to inform her of the new development and then I sent her my love location. After that was done, I grabbed my keys, did a fit check, bolted my doors, and got into the car.Putting the k
Jason's POV I strolled into the restaurant, excited about what I was going to discuss, feeling very sure she was going to accept. My eyes were on Ava for reasons I can't explain, and before I knew it, disaster struck. My foot collided with the chair's legs, and suddenly I was on a collision course with the floor. Panic set in as time slowed down. I hit the ground with an embarrassing thud, the chair looking innocent as ever. Laughter erupted around me, and I could feel my face turning red. Trying to save face, I quickly picked myself up, but the damage was done. Everyone had witnessed my not-so-graceful encounter with that unsuspecting chair. With a sheepish grin, I acknowledged my newfound status as the center of attention, forever linked to the chair in that moment of restaurant clumsiness. I wasn't usually this clumsy, I was always a meticulous person and of all times and places to embarrass myself, it was right here and in front of Ava "Wow Galf. Just wow" I knew it wasn't his fa
Ava's POV"How fast are we swinging into action?" "You know Ava, I didn't expect you to buy this plan" "Really? I couldn't come up with any one, and then you did. It would be really unwise of me to reject it. And besides, I already did a quick analysis and the pros are greater than the cons." "Well we start tomorrow!""Good. I'm not sure Sullivan cares about the means. All he cares about are the results.""I agree. Have you spoken to your kids recently?" My stomach twisted at his question "I haven't.? "Why Ava? Don't you miss them?" Fighting back tears, I said "That shouldn't even be a question Jason! You will never understand how my heart longs for my kids. They're my whole world." "So why?" Was this man an idiot? "They told my kids I would be away on a business trip and can only speak to them twice a week. But the kids are allowed to communicate with my best friend." "Ohhh. I see." "What do you see?" "I see the reason why they keep you from talking to them." "And what mi
Ava's POVThe door to Aiden's office swung open with a muted click, and I stepped into the room, my gazemeeting his with a mix of determination and a hint of apprehension. Aiden looked up from hisdesk, his expression guarded yet curious."Aiden," I nodded, acknowledging the unspoken hierarchy. No need for pleasantries; ourinteractions were always straightforward."Ava," he responded, a faint acknowledgement in his eyes. "What brings you here?"I took a deep breath, steadying myself for the conversation ahead. "I need some space in the packterritory. I'm planning to open a clinic, and I heard there might be available spots in yourbuilding."Aiden leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment. The air still hung with the weight ofunspoken grievances, a history that had not yet vanished completely "A clinic, huh? That's achange from your usual endeavors."I raised an eyebrow, my patience wearing thin. "What's that about? I'm a doctor, Aiden. Helpingpeople is kind of my thing
Ava’s POVThere was a fight outside, and after a while, the basement doors swung open."Are you okay, ma'am?" Alphonso asked.It was Alphonso.Alphonso said he got some signals from Logan and followed them, leading them here."How did he do that, I thought...""That doesn't matter right now, please. Let's get Logan to the hospital ASAP.""Sure, ma'am, we will."Alphonso then gave instructions to the other guards. "Secure the pathway outside. We are bringing the Alpha out."Alphonso then assured me that I shouldn't worry; Logan would be fully fine.They rushed Logan to the hospital, and his heart was barely beating. I felt really sad and scared, thinking about the worst.Aiden's messed-up plan had put us in a tough spot, and Logan got hurt a lot because I was involved. I promised myself I wouldn't forgive me if Logan didn't make it.As they took Logan to the hospital in a hurry, my mind was all over the place with feelings of guilt and hope. The results of what we did were tough, and I
Ava’s POVAiden, still perched on the stool, smiled smugly. "Did you think I would let you walk away so easily after bringing Logan here?"Ava's surprise was palpable. "Wasn't our deal to make Logan confess his crimes?" she questioned, her disbelief evident.Aiden's laughter echoed through the room. "Oh, my dear Ava, you were a pawn in a much larger game. Our plans went beyond what you could see. We were using you all along."Ava's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and anger contorting her expression. She struggled against the guards, attempting to break free from the invisible chains that held her."No," she exclaimed, desperation lacing her voice. "This can't be happening."Isabella, Aiden's partner in deception, approached Ava from behind. "Oh, dear Ava, you were so blinded by your anger that you failed to see the bigger picture. We never intended to set you free. You were merely a means to an end."Ava's world crumbled around her as the realization sank in. Aiden and Isabella had m
Logan’s POV In a fit of rage, I tightened my grip on Aiden, my desire for answers overwhelming me. "Tell me the truth, Aiden! What have you done to Ava?" I snarled, my patience wearing thin. Aiden, still chuckling, managed to straighten his disheveled shirt. "What if I told you those triplets are yours?" he sneered, reveling in my shock. I recoiled, disbelieving. "That's a lie! Ava would never have an affair with a bastard like you!" I retorted, my blood boiling. Aiden's laughter only intensified. "Oh, but Logan, what if we hear it from the horse's mouth?" he teased, his words dripping with malicious intent. In a blind rage, I drew a knife, the metallic glint reflecting the anger in my eyes. "You're lying!" I growled, my voice low and menacing. Aiden, seemingly unafraid, continued to taunt me. "What if Ava herself confirmed it? What if she admitted that those triplets are a product of our secret affair?" he jeered, the revelation slicing through me like a knife. Rage consumed m
Logan’s POVI tried hard to break free from the ropes, feeling them scratch my skin. They held me like strong chains, keeping me stuck in this strange place. I pulled and pulled, hoping to get away from this scary situation.The room was so quiet, and it made me feel trapped. It wasn't a nice quiet; it felt like something scary was hiding in the air. But I didn't want to be scared. I needed to stay calm and figure out how to leave.The room was really cold, and it gave me shivers. I wanted a clue or a sign to help me understand why I was here. But the flickering candle just made weird shapes on the walls, like they were dancing.Time went by really slowly, and my head hurt a lot. I needed to think clearly and get out of this mess. "Stay calm, Logan," I told myself quietly. Even though the dark room felt heavy, I didn't want it to make me feel too scared. I listened hard, hoping to hear something that could help, but it stayed quiet, keeping its secrets.The candle's dim light showed t
Logan’s POVThe pain was all over me, like being stung by a bunch of bees at once. My body felt all shaky, and I could taste blood in my mouth. I couldn't let them win, though. Not for me, but for my wife, Ava. I had to show them I was stronger than they thought by getting up.It was like, "Come on, Logan, you can do this." I tried to get up, even though the ground was hard and my body felt heavy. I could see fuzzy forms moving as the world spun around me. There was talk, but it sounded like whispers from far away. "Ava needs me," I groaned. I can't let them keep me down." The pain was like a fire burning inside me, but I focused on my love for my wife. I had to get back on my feet. One of the guys—the one with the sneer—kicks me in the stomach with his foot. I gasped for air, feeling like all the wind got knocked out of me. I fell back to the ground, my body hurting all over. "You won't break me," I whispered to myself, trying to find power in those words. The men were laughing no
Logan’s POVI couldn't shake the unease settling in the pit of my stomach as I glanced once more at the mysterious man across the room. Ava's laughter and the clinking of utensils against plates filled the air, but my attention was fixated on the stranger, who seemed to be deliberately avoiding eye contact this time.Ava noticed the shift in my demeanor and reached across the table to gently touch my hand. "Logan, you seem really distant. Are you sure everything's okay?"I forced myself to smile, appreciating Ava's concern. "Yeah, just lost in thought. You know how it is sometimes." I didn't want to worry her further, but the weight of the unknown pressed on me.Ava studied me for a moment before nodding. "Okay, if you say so. But if there's anything you want to talk about, I'm here."Taking a deep breath, I decided to confide in Ava, albeit cautiously. "Actually, I did see someone earlier. A guy who seems to be watching us. It's probably nothing, but it's got me a bit on edge."Ava's
Ava’s POVI couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the 5-star hotel as Logan and I stepped out of our car. The lobby was adorned with glittering chandeliers, and the marble floors reflected the soft glow of ambient lighting. The atmosphere exuded luxury and sophistication."Wow, this place is wonderful," I exclaimed, my eyes wide with awe.Logan nodded in agreement, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I know, right?" he said. "They have a really nice view, and their services are top-notch.""That's why I brought us here, babe," I replied with a grin, taking Logan's hand as we began walking towards the entrance of the hotel. The valet attendant quickly took charge of our car, allowing us to focus on the elegance that surrounded us."Hmm, that's nice," Logan remarked, glancing around as we entered the lobby.I continued to admire the opulence of the hotel, my gaze drawn to the artwork on the walls and the stylish furnishings. As we approached the reception desk, a friendly conc
Logan’s POV Considering the question, I replied, "I thought about that too. I'll make sure to assign some of the pack chiefs and guards to assist him. That way, the workload won't be too much for him to handle." Ava nodded, appreciating the plan. "That's a thoughtful approach, Logan. It's good to consider everyone's well-being." Feeling a sense of relief, I continued, "Yeah, I want to make sure everyone is taken care of, especially during our absence." Ava's eyes lit up. "Well, it sounds like you've got everything under control, Logan. Now, I can't wait to spend this coming vacation with you and our little one." I smiled, knowing that Ava was looking forward to the vacation as much as I was. "It's going to be amazing, Ava. "It's the perfect time for us to relax and enjoy some quality family moments." Ava, suddenly more lighthearted, asked, "So now, what hotel are we selecting?" She scrolled through her tablet, searching for the perfect place. I chuckled, "Well, let's go for some
Logan’s POVI propped myself up on my elbow, looking down at Ava. "What if we take a vacation, just the two of us? A break from all the stress and responsibilities," I suggested.She raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the idea. "A vacation? That sounds tempting. Where do you have in mind?" I asked.Ava grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "How about a cozy cabin in the mountains? A place where we can disconnect from the pack and work, just focus on each other, and recharge."I considered the idea, a smile playing on my lips. "You know, that doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. We both need a break. The pack and work have been weighing us down lately."Ava nodded in agreement. "Exactly! We deserve some time for ourselves. It's been so stressful, and I can see it's taking a toll on you too.""A cozy cabin in the mountains does sound tempting, Ava," I said, my brow furrowed with thoughtful consideration. "But you know the pack needs someone around, especially with the threats we're