FOUR

AVA

"She smells oddly... familiar."

The silver eyed woman regarded me with a cold gaze as she approached me. "The unfamiliar scent on Keegan's body...came from you?" She queried.

Venom sighed and Keegan looked away.

"She's just a new recruit, isn't she? How then did she get close enough to Keegan to leave her stench on him?"

I frowned, balling my fists in annoyance. The bitch just indicated that my scent was a stench. I didn't have to be a part of the group to know that there was something going on between her and Keegan. This did not put me at ease. Instead, it made my chest burn.

"We did not embrace. She bumped into me" Keegan stated. I glared at him. He refused to make eye contact with me.

"Do you have a pack?" Shade demanded. I parted my lips to give her an answer. However, Venom beat me to it.

"I have interviewed her. She is already a member of the pack"

She furrowed her brows and folded her arms across her chest. Venom moved away from my side and started to head towards the desk.

"Still, I don't like her. We don't have to recruit her"

"Shade, it is just your personal view. Besides, I think you're starting to forget who the real boss is, around here"

Shade lowered her head, her shoulders slumped. It was strange to see how she'd transformed so quickly.

"Do not try to get into a fight with her. I understand that Keegan is your..."

"Whatever, I'm leaving"

She'd snapped back into bitch mode.

"Shade," Venom's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Try not to get into any more trouble. I'm done cleaning your mess, do you understand?" He sounded more like a pack leader at this point.

"Fine," Shade mumbled and walked out of the office. Keegan started to head towards the door. However, he did not get very far before Venom called his name.

"Where do you think you're going? Have a seat"

Keegan froze.

"You too, Ava" Venom said.

Letting out a sigh, I walked towards the desk and sat my ass on one of the empty chairs. Keegan did the same. He kept his arms crossed. I could tell that his shirt had been ripped.

"Since the others have a lot on their hands, Keegan, you will be mentoring and guiding Ava until she has adjusted to her new environment"

Keegan scowled.

"I'm not the only one with no task at hand. Why does it have to be me?" He demanded.

"You're wrong, you're the only one without a task. Ramsey and Shawn are out, right now. They were given new missions earlier today"

Keegan sighed and rose to his feet.

"Fine. I'll do it" he said.

Venom gave him a tight smile.

"Good. You begin tomorrow"

Keegan nodded stiffly and turned away from us.

"What were you discussing with Shade?" Venom suddenly asked.

"Nothing you should be concerned about. It's personal" Keegan responded, storming out of the office.

"Ignore his behavior. He has always been like that" Venom said to me, giving me an apologetic smile. He was wrong. The Keegan I'd known had been nothing like that. He'd been charming, humble, kind and considerate. It hurt to know how much he'd changed.

My stomach grumbled aloud. I groaned, embarrassed.

"What is it with my stomach always grumbling in your presence?" I muttered.

Venom chuckled, leaning back on his seat.

"You can go and have dinner. My sister is at the door. She's waiting for you."

...

"You must be starving" Hayley said with a grimace. I shoved another piece of fried chicken into my mouth and chewed.

"You have no freaking idea" I said and she laughed.

"I'm so glad we met when we did. You're so real" Hayley stated.

I raised a brow, curious.

"Real? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, I've tried to make friends both older, younger or the same age as me. But, they were all pretentious. I've learnt how rare it is to find someone real in this cold, twisted world" she explained.

I blinked at her, surprised.

"How old are you again?" I said. She chuckled.

"I get that a lot. I was forced to grow up too quickly, ya know"

It was obvious. Hayley was way more matured than I thought.

While drinking my orange juice, I was hit by an all too familiar pain. It was coming from the mate bond. It was one that came to me each time Keegan had sex with another woman. Brutal? I know. I've had to bear this pain for the past three years.

With my appetite gone, I stood up and left the dinning hall. Hayley followed after me, cautiously. I couldn't blame her. I probably looked unapproachable at the moment.

"What's wrong? You look upset" Hayley asked. I looked away from her as the familiar pain racked my being and tugged at my bond with Keegan. Hot tears pricked my eyes and a painful lump lodged itself in my throat.

"Ava..."

Sniffing weakly, I wiped away the tears that had just escaped my eyes.

"I'm fine" I said, my voice breaking.

Hayley tugged at my hoodie, making me look at her. Her eyes were sad.

"You're not fine. You're about to break down" she rasped.

I looked away, fresh tears filling my eyes. She was right. I was at the verge of breakdown. But, I didn't want to tell her that.

I had endured this pain for three years. Somehow, the pain was greater today. Perhaps, it was because Keegan knew where I was. Yet, he had chosen to hurt me again by sleeping with another woman.

"I need to go back to my room" I said.

"I understand" she responded.

With every step we took, my wolf whimpered in my head. I clenched my fists, trying to fight the anguish I was feeling.

Like a passing breeze, it suddenly faded, leaving me drained and pissed. My feet came to a halt and I inhaled shakily, my eyes closed.

His scent hit me like a whirlwind.

"Ava?" He said.

I turned around to confront him, my emotions surging within me. But then, I saw the look in his eyes. And, everything disappeared. The menacing look in his eyes reduced me to an empty shell.

"You're still here?" He demanded, an incredulous look on his face.

"She's officially a member of the pack. My brother said so" Hayley said.

"Stay out of this, Hayley!" He snapped.

"Fine. Looks like you two need to settle whatever's going on between the both of you before Shade finds out" Hayley stated and walked away.

Keegan's piercing gaze met mine.

"You're quite brazen, aren't you? You shouldn't be here, Ava. This place is not meant for you. If this is because of me..."

That was it. I snapped.

"Shut the hell up, Keegan! I'm not here for you!"

His eyes darkened.

"I don't believe you. Leave while I'm asking nicely" he spat.

"You don't get to decide for me, Keegan. You're nothing to me, remember?"

For a second, there was a flash of guilt in his eyes. That tiny spark was enough to make me falter. It ignited the dying hope within me. Maybe there was still a part of him that recognized and yearned for me. This was my thought.

He reached out for my hand and I foolishly let him. The sparks that came felt pleasant in a strange way.

"Ava..." He whispered.

My heart sank when I heard the pain in his voice.

"I'm sorry... I'm a lost cause" He croaked, his eyes glistening with moisture.

I gulped.

Was he about to reject me? I wondered.

"You shouldn't be here. Go back home"

"You're not willing to fight for us? Not even for a little bit?" I asked.

His eyes went blank, his emotions vanishing without a trace. Tears blurred my vision as my rage swelled within me.

"You must let me go, Ava. I, Keegan Creed..."

Without hesitating, I kicked him in the shin, hard. Doubling over, he let out a string of curses.

"Fuck you!" I hissed.

"To hell with you, Keegan! You bastard!"

He looked up at me, his eyes widening.

"Ava..." He breathed.

"What?" I snapped.

"Your eyes...they are....lilac"

I froze, struggling to process what I'd just heard.

"W-what?"