After being betrayed by her ex-husband, who abandoned her for being barren, Ava's life fell into chaos. Just when she thought all hope was lost, the striking lycan she had a steamy one-night stand with weeks ago swooped in to rescue her from her despair. But the situation takes a turn for the worse when she discovers that he shares a bond with her ex-husband and is hiding secrets of his own. To make matters worse, her ex-husband, fueled by jealousy and regret, suddenly demands her back, determined to reclaim the life he threw away. Caught between her past and an uncertain future, Ava must navigate betrayal, longing, and dangerous desires. Will she succumb to the allure of her ex's promises, or will her heart lead her to the passionate, unpredictable lycan who has awakened something within her?
Lihat lebih banyakAva’s Pov
“Try not to wear that pathetic expression, you are sucking the joy out of the room for everyone else,” my stepmother hissed into my ear. Each word that came out of her mouth was more painful than the last.
I forced a smile, brittle and hollow. It felt foreign on my face, a mask I wore to survive this nightmare. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall. Not here. Not now.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announced. The room stilled for a heartbeat as the groom leaned in, his face with happiness. His lips brushed hers in a kiss so tender it felt like mockery.
The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers booming through the room. Around me, smiles beamed, hands clapped, and voices shouted congratulations. I clapped too, forcing my shaking hands to mimic their rhythm.
But inside, I was sad, angry too.
This was the man I had loved. The man I had vowed to spend my life with—Alpha Robertson Hastings. My husband. And now, he was holding my sister as if she were his world.
My stepmother leaned closer, her breath cold against my ear. “Oh, Ava,” she murmured, her tone poisonous. “If only you weren’t such a barren disgrace, this wouldn’t be happening. But here we are.”
I stiffened, my nails digging into my palms.
“Your sister is doing what you couldn’t—saving the pack. She will give him the children you failed to. You should be grateful, really. She’s fixing the mess you made.”
Her words dug into my skin like claws, shredding what little was left of my heart. I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted blood, swallowing back the scream clawing at my throat.
Not now, Ava. Don’t let them see you fall apart.
This woman—my stepmother. I could never understand why she despised me so much. To her, I was nothing more than an eyesore, a waste of space.
My sister, Betty, had always been the golden child, the one destined for greatness. I was the invisible one. The “worthless” omega.
For a fleeting moment, I thought my luck had changed when Alpha Robert was revealed as my mate years ago. It felt like fate was finally on my side. But even then, the victory was hollow.
Everyone knew Robert’s heart had always belonged to Betty. It was only the pack’s traditions of marrying your mate that forced him to marry me instead.
I couldn’t even keep my marriage as he had no choice but to get married to Betty, all because I couldn’t give him a child.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate me, sister?” Betty’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She stood a few feet away, her smile wide and gleaming like polished glass.
The room went silent as heads turned toward me, waiting for my response.
I swallowed hard, forcing a weak smile. “Congratulations, Betty.”
Betty’s grin widened, predatory now. She stepped closer, taking her time, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. “Oh, Ava,” she said, her voice with fake concern. “You’re so brave. Standing here, smiling, after everything. It’s inspiring, really.”
Her words felt like daggers, but she wasn’t done.
“I mean, it must be hard,” she continued, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Watching me marry the man you failed to keep. Knowing that you couldn’t give him what he needed. But don’t worry.” She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against my arm, her touch like ice. “I’ll take care of him for you. I’ll give him everything he deserves. Everything you couldn’t.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Some of them tried to hide their smiles behind raised hands, but others didn’t bother. The humiliation burned in my chest, hot and suffocating.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms so hard it hurt. The words I wanted to say stuck in my throat.
Betty leaned in closer, her voice whisper meant just for me. “You should thank me, you know. I saved you from embarrassing yourself any further. You were never meant for this. You were always... less.”
I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, desperate to keep my composure. Not here. Not now. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.
"I'm sure you will find another husband very soon," Betty said. She placed a delicate hand on her stomach, her smile turning wicked. “Then you can have a child, and your niece or nephew growing inside me will have someone to play with.”
Yes, she is carrying his child…
The room seemed to blur around me. My heart hurt so much I thought I might just die. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, desperate to hold myself together.
I stood slowly, my legs trembling under me. My gaze shifted to Robert, who sat beside Betty. For a brief moment, I thought I saw guilt in his eyes. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by indifference—or maybe relief.
“Congratulations Betty,” I said again, forcing a smile on my face. My voice was calm, though every word felt like walking barefoot across broken glass. “I will be leaving now.”
If Betty’s plan was to humiliate me further, I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Staying there, enduring more of her taunts, was out of the question.
But before I could take a step, her voice rang out again. “Aren’t you at least going to take a family picture before you leave?”
Her words stopped me in my tracks. I turned slowly, my lips parting to respond, but before I could, Evelyn—my stepmother—let out a nervous laugh.
“Oh, please,” Evelyn said, waving a dismissive hand. “She doesn’t have to. She’s not looking her best today and didn’t clean up well enough. You wouldn’t want her ruining the picture.”
Laughter bubbled softly through the crowd. Betty’s smile widened as she tilted her head. “Sorry, sister. Maybe next time.”
I couldn’t respond, the lump in my throat suffocating me. I forced another smile, turned on my heel, and walked out of the venue. My chest felt heavy, like I couldn’t breathe, but I refused to stop or look back. Not here. Not in front of them.
Once I was outside, the cold air hit me, but it did nothing to help the pain in me. My hand clutched at my heart, as if I could hold it together long enough to make it home. The pain stabbed deeper than I thought possible.
Robert and I hadn’t been perfect. I knew that. But I had believed, truly believed that over the years, we had built something real. Something worth fighting for. I thought we had grown to love each other.
But I was wrong. And now, I was alone.
I couldn’t stay there for another second. I needed to escape, to breathe, to be anywhere but surrounded by the cruel people I had to call family. The only place that came to mind, oddly enough, was the nearby bar.
Alcohol wasn’t something I turned to often, but tonight, it felt like my only way out. If drowning in a glass of something strong could numb even a fraction of this pain, I was willing to try.
I bolted into the night, my heels clicking on the pavement as I rushed down the streets. My vision blurred with tears, and I wasn’t watching where I was going. All I could think about was finding somewhere—anywhere—to disappear.
The distant sound of an approaching engine barely registered in my mind until it was too late. Headlights suddenly light up the road ahead, and I froze in place, my body refusing to move. The blaring horn prompted me to move, but I was paralyzed, caught in the car’s path.
The screech of tires rang out as the car came to an abrupt stop just inches from me. My chest dropped as I stumbled back, gasping for air. My legs felt weak, trembling so hard I thought they might give out beneath me.
The driver’s door opened, and out stepped a man, a stranger, tall and striking, with an aura that seemed to command the night itself. His face was sharp yet soft, his jawline strong, and his piercing eyes held concern and frustration.
How does one even look like this? Was I dead and imagining things or was this man real?
He walked towards me quickly, his voice deep. “Are you alright?”
I blinked, unable to answer. Something about him tugged at me, a strange pull within my chest. My wolf suddenly stirred, alert and restless, whispering the word I hadn’t expected to hear again: mate.
Mate? The stranger also seemed to notice this as he froze, staring at me. I stared back at him wondering how that was possible, how I had another mate.
But before I could speak or process things fully, the adrenaline left my body all at once, leaving me dizzy and weak. The world spun around me, the stranger’s worried face blurring into darkness. My knees buckled, and as I fell, his arms caught me just before I hit the ground.
The last thing I heard before everything went black was his voice, his gentle voice. “Hey, stay with me.”
Betty's POV:I stared at my reflection in the mirror, the swollen eyes, bursted lips, bruises all over my body, dagger in my heart, all of them a courtesy to Alpha Rob.The first time he slapped me in front of my mother he apologized, saying it would never happen again. But here we were, I barely picked myself off the floor after he was done beating me in a drunken rage.I had only gone to check in on him in his study and he began to hit me.The door to my bedroom was opened and I quickly pulled my shirt closed and wiped my tears away.My heart sank when I saw that it was Alpha Rob, my abuser. His eyes were indifferent at first, but after looking me over he gradually turned pale.“I did this? When? How? Why didn't you stop me?!" Alpha Rob said to me and I stared at him with rage in my veins." Why didn't I stop you? Have you seen your size compared to mine?! Or did you forget that you are an Alpha and I'm just the daughter of the beta?!” I yelled at him, the pains I felt earlier comi
Ava's POV:I looked down in terror which ebbed away as I saw that the blood was coming from my palm where my nails had dug in.Iris was inspecting my palm but turned to give me a worried look afterwards.“Come, let's wash your hands. We can talk about the dream if you want," Iris said to me. I shook my head no." I'd rather talk about the incident you went to handle, was anyone hurt?” I said to Iris who sighed before helping me to the bathroom." The fifth floor of a building under construction collapsed because the building manager was trying to do the job of the engineer. No lives were lost, and the ones who were injured are not maimed. My lawyers will handle the lawsuits and compensations to be paid ,” Iris said to me as he wrapped my now bloodless hand." At least nobody died. Everything else can be handled,” I said to Iris who nodded his head.“Why did you go to the hospital yesterday?" Iris asked me and I sighed. I guess the driver wasn't my ally in that regard.“I was overdue f
Ava's POV:“How about you try getting a life for yourself for a change, rather than waiting for me to settle into one before you try stealing it!” I hissed at Betty, who had a glare in her tear-filled eyes, but I was done with this bullshit." You killed my baby!” Betty screamed at me in a weak attempt to fight back but I was already on my way to the car. I turned around, scoffed, and got into the car." Like you were ever pregnant,” I said to her and her eyes widened in shock.I have to hand it to Iris' men, they kept the crowd at bay while I delivered the blow that Betty needed. What exactly was she after this time around? From what I could tell Iris has never bothered with her. So why?Was she already tired of Alpha Rob or was the thought of me finding happiness so repulsive to her that she had to come and show it?“Let's go to the hospital. The one that sent a doctor to the house the last time. If it's possible, I want to meet the same doctor," I said to the driver, who looked at
Ava's POV:Iris was checking out some jewelry on display while I fidgeted in my seat.People saw us together and Iris didn't bat an eye in their direction. How was I going to go to work tomorrow? The questions, the stares, how could I cope?“You know, you wear your emotions on your face. What are you disturbed about?” Iris asked me. I didn't realize that he was done with what he was doing." The staff saw us together, what if they start a rumor or contact the press? That would put me in the spotlight and how would that affect you and your business? I really think that working for you is a bad idea right now -” I went on to say but Iris cut me off by moving closer to me. The space between us was a hair's breadth.If I simply tilted my head upwards his lips would be on mine." We have company,” Iris said to me and my mind was brought back to the present. Before I could ask who the company was, Iris kissed me softly on the lips and straightened up.A few feet away from us stood Alpha Rob
Ava's POV:“We should, but we don't have to. I personally have no desire to show you off like that," Iris said to me and I nodded my head, relief coursing through my body.The mating ceremony was more or less a pack orgy where the newly mated couples show forth their prowess. It wasn't compulsory but some still utilize the opportunity to show off. Alpha Rob thankfully saved me from that debacle.Plus I was too busy ensuring everything that was needed was available for the event.“Okay, because I really don't want to be put on display like that," I said to Iris who smiled at me before he twirled me around.“In that case, let's find out if you are a good dancer," Iris said to me and I laughed. This much I could do. The next morning I was on my way to meet Iris at his office. For someone who spent almost the entire night out, he was out early this morning.The office I was taken to wasn't the first one that he had me working. This one was bigger and looked way more busy than the other o
Ava's POV:“Is that a part of the entertainment?" I asked Iris as Lucien caught the little woman before she could make contact with her target.“I guess it is for tonight. Latoya isn't one to miss a target, it looks like they have fully mated. Good for you, Lucien," Iris said behind me. I looked to see that the hand he took off me was stuck in his pocket. He sounded proud of his friend.I rolled my eyes. Men!“I'm guessing she's the one that has been throwing him through windows," I said and gestured towards the woman in Lucien's arms." Yes, that is Latoya. Known to most as a witch or mage but what she truly is, is a hybrid. Lycan and succubus, ergo the club. Lucien truly scored if she accepted him back. Everyone knows not to mess with Latoya, and Lucien can be a demon with the right motivation,” Iris said to me and I nodded my head.The fight going on the main floor was quite entertaining to watch. Especially after Latoya successfully landed some blows on the one who spoke to her ea
Ava's POV:“Iris, I like the idea of going back to work but what is it that you have in mind?" I asked Iris who had laid down next to me.“It's actually another secretarial job. But this time I want you at the HQ," Iris said to me and I raised a brow at him. Every inappropriate joke you can think about came to mind but I decided not to delve too deeply into it.“You want me within reach at your office. Do you have plans to get anything done during the day?" I asked Iris as I folded my legs under my thighs. Iris sent me an amused look.“I would be telling a lie if I said that that idea hasn't appealed to me. But, I wanted your opinion on it. Short breaks between meetings always help the next meeting go smoothly,” Iris said to me and I scoffed. He truly was shameless." I'm not going to be your booty call and that's final. Who am I working with? The incident with Miss Laurent isn't one I want to relive and neither do I want everyone quaking in my wake because I'm married to you,” I said
Lucien's POV:Watching my mate shrink as the memories assaulted her made me livid. Who was this fucker and why was she saying that she had already taken care of it? These were the kinds of things I took care of!“I'll need you to elaborate some more on that," I said to her, she looked at me and nodded my head.“Before I do that, I want you to know that what happened is all in the past, and you are my present and my future,” Latoya said to me, and I nodded my head. I knew that much, but something tells me that what I'm about to find out wouldn't be so palatable to my ears.“When I was much younger, I fancied myself in love with an incubus. We made a great couple on every front. But it began to go sound when I turned and we discovered I wasn't his fated mate. I was willing to stay, I even suggested a compromise on how we could get along.Nit he soon went into blind rages, citing that I was glad we were no longer fated to be. I had friends who didn't exist before; all were lies, of cours
Latoya’s POV:Right now I was very confident that every inch of this room of mine was covered in the mixed essence of my mate and I. I was breathing heavily, sprawled on my bed next to my mate who was also trying to catch his own breath.“Just to clear things, does this mean that we are good?” My mate asked me and I began to laugh. He truly was a weird one." We are fully marked, mated and probably on the good road to starting a family and you're asking if we're good? What are your reservations?" I said to him as I turned on my side to look at him. He was already looking at me.“Well, I felt like I messed up big time and this feels like a dream that I would wake up from. A cruel dream that I can't exactly put past you," my mate said to me and I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out. He was right of course, but I wasn't going to go that far. There were lines that shouldn't be crossed between mates.“Well, I'm glad you are aware of what I'm capable of. But you are not some random
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Komen