Ava With Chris’s departure, an awkward silence settled over Leonard and me as we stood there in the warm afternoon sun. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, a little unsure of what to say now that it was just the two of us. It wasn’t like me to feel tongue-tied, especially not around
Leonard chuckled, shaking his head ruefully. “Well, I had simply assumed that you and Chris were… you know.” He ran a hand through his silvery hair. “An item, of sorts. Most young men like him pursue romantic interests quite vigorously. At least, they did when I was his age.” The implication of hi
Ava I made my way back to the Packhouse, my mind still buzzing over my interaction with Leonard. His words kept replaying in my head on a loop—his insistence that Chris harbored deeper feelings for me, despite my protests to the contrary. His observations about the telltale way a man looked at a w
“Trees aside,” he said, “I was under the impression that your… subordinates—what are they called, ‘Omegas’?—would be available to assist with any labor requirements. They are essentially free labor, are they not?” I felt my stomach twist. The Omegas were no longer our slaves. And the way that his
Ava It was well after sundown, and I had given up on expecting Chris to come over like he had said. He still hadn’t shown up, and it was getting so late that I thought maybe he got sidetracked or simply forgot. Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure why I had said yes. After what Leonard had said earlie
Rather than explain, I simply grinned and rolled up the pantlegs of my pajamas before cleaning my feet in the nearby sink that I used specifically for this reason. Then, I climbed up onto the ledge of the nearest tub, and without hesitating, I swung one leg over the side and stepped right down into
Ava With a grin and a wild laugh, Chris pulled the towel free from his hips. I gasped and quickly covered my eyes, my cheeks burning. I felt my stomach twist inside of me, a thousand emotions taking over—surprise, annoyance, maybe even excitement. But a moment later, I peeked through my finger
“Mm, much better,” I sighed contentedly, still chewing the sharp cheese. “You were right, my wine is worlds better than that bottled stuff.” “I’ll say.” Chris took a drink as well, smacking his lips appreciatively. “You’ll have to show me more about the whole winemaking process sometime. Like, wit
Chris shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Unbelievable,” he hissed as I smirked with satisfaction.The trip to the clinic went by a lot faster on wheels than on foot. Chris remained glued to my side, his hair falling into his eyes as he repeatedly checked on me. I simply smiled in the backseat, and w
Epilogue — Part IIAvaAs the balloon hit me square in the face, I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance. Chris’s strong arm caught me, steadying me as a chorus of “Surprise!” filled the air.Our living room had been transformed, covered with balloons and streamers in shades of blue and silver. A
Her imprisonment in New Moon was coming to an end, and soon she would be returning to Moonstone on parole. The thought filled me with a mixture of apprehension and hope, as it did all of us.But that was not coming for another month.As the Elders filed out, I leaned back in my chair, unable to keep
Before I could comment, the Elders finally filed in, their usual robes swishing around them as they moved. Fatima was now the Eldest since Elise was gone, and so she took the end of the table opposite Chris.Claire hobbled in after her; she had been leaning on a cane lately due to a sudden onset of
Epilogue — Part IAvaMy hand rested on my belly as I waddled through the doors, half-ignoring Chris’s presence. He sighed, letting the door fall shut behind me.“What’s wrong?” he asked, following me to the circular council table in the center of the room.“Nothing.”That was a lie.It was my 40th
For a moment, Chris was silent, his gaze intense as he searched my face. Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees, burying his face in my skirt. His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close.“Goddess, I can’t wait to marry you,” he murmured, his voice muffled by the fabric.I smiled, run
AvaI found Chris on a balcony overlooking the golden sunset of New Moon mountain. The sky was ablaze with vibrant oranges and pinks, casting a warm glow over the snow-capped peaks. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and distant earth from far below, the scent of autumn.Back in Moonst
“As you should, Alpha Edward,” Chris said, clasping the Alpha’s forearm. “As you should.”It was heartwarming to see how everyone seemed to be thriving. The bonds between the packs were stronger than ever, and there was a palpable sense of hope in the air.Finally, it was time for the meeting to beg
AvaGolden sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, shafts of warmth spreading across the large meeting hall. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and a long oak table had been placed at the center of the room. Soft piano music played from a human-made record player in the corner, and counc