1. WHO ARE YOU?

As I walked through the town of Nashville with Zaza and my guards, I could smell the fresh air and the natural nature of the town. I was very happy to be home. From my hotel to the conference hall was a walking distance and I loved it. I was glad to be in my town once more. A lot has not changed, both the people and the town. The people did not know me anymore and that pleased me.

I could smell and feel a lot of them throwing gazes at me. Most of them had not seen a lady, dressed so richly and guarded by hefty-looking handsome men. Yes, I chose my guards very carefully as I wanted them to look intimidating and handsome.

The conference door opened, and I was ushered in alone. I sat close to the exit door as I did not want to disturb the meeting. It was a meeting of the Alphas in the district. Alpha Jo had called for a meeting aimed at defeating our common enemy, the bandits.

After his opening speech, I watched as he set his gaze on me. I was not sure that he recognized me. But as he walked towards the exit door, I felt uncomfortable. “What if he recognizes me?” I thought to myself. I hope Zaza got this right when she said no one would recognize me. I sincerely do not want anyone to know me as Ava or as Alpha Ayar, not now, and I hope Zaza was right for her sake.

“I don’t think I have seen you before,” Alpha Jo said.

“I don’t think so either,” I replied.

“It is a meeting for Alphas. I think you must have missed something, you must be in the wrong place,” Alpha Jo said.

“Oh! I am so sorry, Alpha Jo, I am in the right place,” I said. I knew I was very assertive, and he was an impatient being.

“Where is your husband?”

I stood up gently and looked at the werewolf in front of me. He was my husband, and he was asking me where my husband was. I almost laughed, but that would have given me up.

“My husband would not recognize me even if I stood in front of him,” I said, looking into his eyes with all the fire of hatred burning inside of me. He could not recognize me.

I wish I could tell him that this is Ava, the omega you thought you could get rid of. The omega that you despised. The omega that you banished.

“My lady, I thought I asked a simple question earlier. I will ask again. Where is your husband?” He said.

“Do you want a husband, or do you want an Alpha?” I asked. I was so close to him that it seemed I was breathing every air he exhaled. My eyes matched his without any fear and I knew Alpha Jo hated that.

“I do not know who you think you are. I thought you were a respected lady and that was why I gave you this courtesy. Who did you say your Alpha is again?” He asked.

“Ayar, Alpha Ayar,” I said.

There was this silence that came with the mention of the name ‘Ayar’. He looked at me for some time, then said, “You mean Alpha Ayar sent you? We are glad to have you in our presence,” he said sarcastically, as he walked away to join the others without getting a response from me.

I knew Alpha Jo, he was a pompous and rude man. I did not know why I thought that had changed. I sat back at my seat looking at all the Alphas of different packs in the district sitting together in a hall.

I thought that this was either a trap to get all of them killed or that the challenge they had was very compelling. Alpha Jo could poison all of them and claim their packs. I felt this was a foolish thing to do. They all wanted results but little did they know that they would get it from me. The very female werewolf they do not want in their midst.

I could feel their eyes each piercing through me as Alpha Jo joined them. Some of them turned fully to look at me with some level of disdain, while the others were not as bold as to even turn.

With a wave of the hand, I was ordered to go forward. I sat back in my seat like I never knew he ordered me. He was shocked. He stood up and waved again.

I sat down there looking at him. He was abashed, but I knew if I had to deal with Alpha Jo, as a female Alpha, I had to be demanding and strong-willed. I never wanted them to know who I am.

I do not want to be bullied. After all, I am the great and powerful Alpha Ayar everyone talks about but doesn’t know. The alphas of the district can not know about that.

Alpha Jo walked up to me again. “I thought I called you,” he said.

“I am sorry I did not hear you call me,” I replied.

“I could swear to the goddesses of the land that I saw you look at me when I waved,” he said.

“Yes you waved, I saw that,” I replied.

“So why didn't you come forward?” he asked.

“You waved, you did not ask for my presence,” I said.

“So what is the difference?” he asked so rudely.

I stood up and walked gently and majestically to him. I could feel every impulse of the moment. He ran his hand through his hair and placed both hands on his waist. I smiled when I got close to him.

“Alpha Jo, the difference is respect. If I perceive myself not to be respected one more time, I will walk out of here. And so does whatever solution you think you have.

“You know I had an omega who had a silver lining like yours. Tall, lanky, and weak. She also thought she was tough until she met me,” he said.

“You mean to say your wife,” I replied. Without blinking while staring at him. I could see he was unsettled, and I hoped I could do more to unsettle him.

Immediately his countenance changed. The confident Alpha Jo just became the shaky one. With a trembling voice, he asked, “How did - - did you - - you know?”

“Where is she now?” I asked.

“I do not know,” he replied.

“Well, Alpha Jo, I am not your wife, as you can see. You cannot intimidate me.

“Who are you?” he asked.