CHAPTER 2

Ava's POV:

Standing by the window and gazing at the glinting orris-silver moon, I was thinking how my whole world has changed just in a matter of hours.

I'd always loved the moon. The way it shines in the dreary sky, surrounded by millions of twinkling stars, alone but still holds power and beauty. The moon came to the sky as a mother comes to sing a soft lullaby to ease her children into a star-filled night. It graces the sky as if she'd had some bright idea, something brilliant needed to shine upon the earth. It has always mesmerized me, but today it didn't, I wasn't feeling anything. There was a numb pain in my chest. My mind was black, just like this night.

Once again, gazing at the sky, thinking, Is this how you feel when you find your mate? Is this how your first night with your mate's supposed to be? Many questions were swirling in my mind, many questions I had, that I wanted to ask him but for the first time in my life, I was afraid of the answers.

Turning my tearful and helpless eyes towards the moon, I hearkened back to today's morning.

-----------------------------

TODAY'S MORNING:

I don't remember how long I was sitting there in the rain. I heard footsteps approaching me, but I paid no heed to them. A hand was placed over my shoulder.

“Ava, what happened”?

“Sapp, why are you crying”?

I lifted my tearful gaze toward my friends, tilted my head, and opened my mouth to speak, but words were stuck in my throat. I was pleading with my eyes to feel the pain through my eyes.

I placed my palm over my mouth, turned over my heels, and ran outside the school premises towards the woods. I ran and ran, and never looked back. My heart was breaking, my wolf was howling in pain. I ran deeper and deeper until I came across the place that always brings me tranquility and peace. It was a long time back, I used to come here a lot, but today I needed it the most. I still remember the day, I came across this beautiful treehouse and met Dryad, the woodland fairy.

-------------------------------------

(Flashback to when Ava was 5 years old)

“Ava, come here Sweetie," Aubrey shouted from the kitchen to her 5-year-old daughter who was picking flowers in their backyard.

Upon hearing her mother's call, she took her basket in her tiny hands and walked back inside.

“Yes, mama”, little Ava said adorably.

“Can you please take these sandwiches to the backyard”? Her mother asked while cutting the fruits.

Today was a beautiful day, so the Chantria family opted for a family picnic in their backyard. Little Ava was hyped, she woke up earlier than usual and went to the backyard to pick flowers.

With a soft pink glow, the heavenly sunrise warmed the early morning. The sparkling morning dew lit up the grass plains like a colony of fireflies.

After setting everything up, they sat and had their breakfast, laughing and enjoying.

Ava's parents were engaged in a conversation when Ava, saw a beautiful, blue butterfly.

Ava stood up and started following it to the woods. Little curious Ava doesn't know that while following the butterfly, she has accidentally gone to the deeper part of the forest.

The forest was so magical and beautiful. Ava started observing her surrounding, tall trees, squirrels chattering, birds singing, insects humming, everything was new yet so alluring to the innocent soul. At this point, the butterfly has forgotten long ago.

Ava was mesmerized by everything. She took a deep breath and felt the brisk forest air fill her lungs. Ava was observing everything with watchful eyes. There were more than fifty types of birds living in the lush oak trees.

She heard a buzzing sound and turned in that direction, only to see a beehive. She tried to touch it, but it was high enough. Furthermore, she jumped again and again but failed. Ava pouted, she wanted to touch it. The minute details of the honeycomb inside the beehive were mathematically wondrous.

She heard the sound of feet shuffling, which broke her stance of observation and started following it.

By now, she was in the deepest part of the forest. This part was different from the whole forest, it was more magical. Trees were wearing beautiful yellow and orange leaves like ornaments. The leaves on the ground look like a beautiful desert. The sight of the endless yellow and orange desert before she was s spectacular.

While walking, she came across an old treehouse. The treehouse was located in an idyllic corner of the forest, undisturbed by others and almost completely quiet.

Ava opened the door and went inside. She was looking around when she heard a voice.

“My child,” Ava abruptly turned around, expecting a ghost or monster, which she heard of in stories, but instead there stood a beautiful fairy. Long golden hair, milky white skin, mesmerizing eyes, and wearing a beautiful green dress.

“Who are you”? Ava asked innocently while tilting her head.

“My name's Dryad, I'm a woodland fairy,” she replied, smiling at the innocent creature.

Ava was still looking at her innocently without saying anything. The fairy came forward and kneeled to her level, taking her hands in hers, smiling.

“I'm a woodland fairy,” the fairy said gently.

"A real fairy," Ava asked innocently still gaping at her.

"Yes, sweetheart,".

“Woodland fairies are a race of fairies that live in the woods. We are the oldest race of fairies. We are known for our immense power and beauty. This treehouse has been my house for the past 1100 years. Today I'm going where I belong, my kingdom, Dark Estrabos kingdom. But my child, you can come here anytime. This is now yours. We'll meet one day, but remember, my child, never let the ugliness of the world, take your kindness. Your heart is entire without malice. Your kindness is your power. You're more than what you think you're, but you'll know it at the right time.” She kissed her forehead and a green light surrounded them, it was so bright that Ava had to close her eyes and when she opened them, the fairy was gone.

-------------------------------------

BACK TO THE PRESENT:

I was inside the treehouse, and my heart and my wolf were both hurting. Why me?

I forgot how long I was there. I looked at my watch, it was late. Just as I decided to walk back to the pack, my best friend's friends came inside, worried as hell.

“Thank God, Ava, you know we have searched the whole pack house for you.” Cora sighed exasperatedly.

Fleur smacked her on the head, “I told you, dumbass, she would be here, but you had to go and check the whole pack, thinking someone kidnapped her.”

“What, don't tell me, you didn't watch in shows how they kidnap beautiful young girls, and then you know what happens to them,” Cora said sheepishly while shifting from one leg to another. I laughed through my tears, hearing that, they both rushed towards me.

“What happened, Ava”, they both asked together.

I sighed and told them everything from the morning, by the end of the time I finished speaking, Cora and Fleur were seething in anger.

"That sorry excuse of an alpha, what the hell he thinks of himself? I'll fuck him,” Cora said angrily. Fleur and I were looking at her with our mouths agape.

Realizing what she said, Cora quickly came to my side, “Ava, Ewwww I will never fuck him, you know I was angry, and you know how I am, and you know, she started blabbing.

“Easy there, Cora, I know you only said this because you're angry and care for me. I know you will never hurt me intentionally,” I reassured her.

“One thing I don't understand is, what alpha Xavier sees in Jessica”? Fleur said.

“What are you insinuating, Fleur"?

Fleur looked at me and said, “She isn't what she shows she is. She's a manipulative bitch. She just pretends to be good and all when in reality, she's far from that.

“She's beautiful, rich and Xavier loves her,” I said while looking at my lap.

“But baby, she isn't you, and Alpha's supposed to love you not her, Cora said softly.

I was fidgeting with my fingers, something I do when I'm nervous or sad. I didn't know what to say. Fleur understood, she came and hugged me.

“Forget about that douche alpha. If he can't see how amazing you're and how wonderful Luna you would be, then it's his fault. We'll never leave your side, We will always be here for you. We will always be best friends. ALWAYS TOGETHER.” I hugged her back, tightly. Soon, Cora joined the hug. They're my best friends, my rock.

Breaking the hug, Cora said, “Let's go, get some coffee. A strong cup of coffee may help invigorate you.”

I smiled and we all left the treehouse.

--------------------------------------