Ava's POV
It was pouring. Heavily.My peach-colored dress was soaked, and my phone kept vibrating in my pocket.
I stood there, watching from a distance as the blood of my parents mixed with the rainwater that filled the streets. My eyes drifted to the car, still open. I could see my mom's hand, limp, hanging from the side. I started walking toward it, my legs feeling like lead. I didn't dare get too close. My voice came out as a whisper, shaky, barely audible, "Mom, mommy... are you... are you okay?"
My dad's lifeless body lay flat on the floor, his eyes wide in shock as blood from his severed head pooled beneath him. My heart raced, terror creeping through me, but I couldn't shift into my wolf form. I just kept mumbling, "Daddy, Dad... please wake up! Mom! Don’t leave me! Somebody, anybody, help!"
But my heart remained calm. Too calm. My body felt numb, detached from everything. I blinked twice, hoping—praying—that I was hallucinating. Maybe this was just some twisted illusion. The popcorn in my hand had long since gone soggy, the paper probably melting into the wet mess. Without thinking, I shoved a handful of the soggy popcorn into my mouth.
Bitter.
The exact taste of what my future now held.
"Mom... Dad, why aren’t you coming over?" My voice cracked, a sharp pain stabbing my heart for a few moments.
I wondered, deep down, if I felt numb because I didn't love them enough or because the pain was too much for me to handle after witnessing everything. I had watched as a wolf ripped into my father's neck and tore his head clean off. Then it sniffed the car, like it was searching for something.
It was supposed to be a normal Saturday movie night. I remembered just an hour earlier, smiling in the mirror, dressed in my short off-shoulder black gown. Mom had been laughing, helping me tie my blonde hair into a ponytail.
"Mommy," I’d called.
"Yes, honey?" she answered.
"Do you think I’ll find a mate, like you and Dad?"
She laughed, planting a kiss on my forehead. "Of course, sweetie. You’re mommy and daddy’s little princess, and you’re a beautiful gem. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Thanks, mommy." I blushed.
"You’re welcome, honey. Now, let’s go before Dad gets upset."
We never missed our Saturday movie tradition... except for tonight. And now, I hated that tradition.
I couldn't even remember how I got to the hospital. I must have stood there long enough for my body to go numb under the rain. The last thing I recalled was Aunt Janet’s voice, pleading with the doctor: "Doc, please save her, she’s all I’ve got!" And then the red lights of the ambulance... before I blacked out.
When I woke up, three hours had passed. I found Aunt Janet huddled in the corner of the hospital room, silently crying. Her body curled into a ball, her hand patting her chest as if trying to calm herself.
Suddenly, everything came rushing back to me, like a movie replaying in my head. Every single detail.
"Ahhhh!" I screamed, jumping out of the bed and yanking the drip from my arm.
Aunt Janet rushed to my side, trying to hug me, trying to comfort me. But I pushed her away, screaming louder. They were gone. Dead. And I would never see them again.
"Bring them back! Bring them back to me!" I screamed until my throat felt raw.
The doctors and nurses flooded into the room, trying to calm me, but I hurled everything I could get my hands on at them.
"Don’t touch me! Bring them back! I want my momma back!" My wolf was on the verge of breaking free. If I’d had a smooth first shift, I might’ve let her go. Let her tear apart anyone like they’d done to my father. Let them feel the same pain that now coursed through my veins.
"Bring them..." I felt something sharp prick my arm. My vision blurred, and I couldn’t make out the doctor’s face before my consciousness slipped away. I vaguely heard the doctor's slurred words to my aunt.
"She’s too shocked to process what happened. She’ll need help."
Two months later.
Grieving isn’t something that can be fixed with a magic wand.
If it were, I’d have chosen that option in a heartbeat.
As I crossed the street to our house, I wiped my nose and pulled my coat tighter around me. The past two months had been filled with therapy sessions, helping me come to terms with the loss. It wasn’t easy, but it was helping, at least a little.
"Aunt?" I called out as I stepped inside the house. The smell of something delicious wafted from the kitchen. I followed it, finding Aunt Janet fussing with the oven. "What magical concoction are you making?"
"Just cake. I found this amazing recipe online." She finally turned toward me, concern in her eyes. "How was therapy?"
I forced a smile, nodding. "It’s working. You were right; therapy helps."
"Good. That’s progress." She smiled softly. "Go change and come help me."
"I’ll be back in a minute."
Aunt Janet had been incredible since I lost my parents. She stayed with me at the hospital, helped me through the darkest nights, and introduced me to therapy. I was grateful, but nothing seemed to truly help.
Well, it helped me build a facade. One I wore for her and for my therapist.
As I headed to my room, I passed my dad’s study. I couldn't resist stepping inside. Aunt Janet had kept everything spotless, as if Dad would return any moment. I ran my fingers over the papers on his desk.
My dad had been a journalist, and my mom had stayed home because of her health. My eyes landed on his journal, the one he always kept close. Smiling, I picked it up and flipped through it. Some notes were too cryptic, but others I understood.
Then, I stopped on a page.
The word Lyconia was circled, surrounded by missing persons reports and mentions of ‘unnatural deaths.’ Dad’s conclusion was clear: there were more werewolves in the city than anyone knew.
I remembered the stories my parents used to tell me about Lyconia, their hometown. Dad was an Alpha before they moved to Alabama. That place had always intrigued me.
Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. If Lyconia was my father’s origin, then maybe I should visit. Maybe that would help me heal. And maybe, just maybe, I could find answers about their deaths.
I closed the journal, tucking it into my bag. Aunt Janet would never let me go, so I kept it to myself. After dinner, I pretended to go to bed, then snuck out with a few essentials.
Five hours later, I arrived in Lyconia. My heart pounded. This was my father's home. The town where he had been an Alpha. The place where I might find answers.
I checked Dad’s journal again. Clawcrest. That’s where we belonged. With a bit of help, I made my way to Clawcrest Ville.
As I approached the sign, I saw a man standing nearby. I walked up to him, trying to mask my nervousness with a smile.
"Good morning."
The man gave me a once-over, his gaze sharp. "And you are?"
"Ava. Ava Goldington. My father used to be Alpha here."
His expression darkened. He called out loudly, "Yo, Matthew! We’ve got another one."
A bulky man appeared from a nearby house. "Who is she?"
"Goldington something. Says her father was Alpha here."
Matthew stepped closer, sniffing the air around me. "Definitely one of us, though her scent is weak."
I took a step back, deciding not to mention that I wasn’t in control of my wolf yet. "Can I meet the Alpha?"
Matthew nodded. "Sure."
The first man looked surprised. "Just like that?"
"There’s no harm in her meeting the Alpha, right?" Matthew gestured for me to get in his car.
Even though he was being polite, something felt off. Had I just walked into a trap?
Ava's POV Matthew was definitely a man of few words. As I sat in the passenger seat, the silence between us was palpable. The town seemed to grow more unfamiliar the deeper we went, with streets twisting and turning into areas I didn’t recognize.I couldn’t help but break the silence. "So... the new Alpha, what family is he from?"He gave me a brief side glance, the corner of his lips tugging upward, but that was the most reaction I got. "You can ask him that when you see him.""Are the four packs still united?" I tried again, hoping to get more out of him.This time, he chuckled lightly. "I see you were told stories. Yes. Still very united." He didn't look at me again after that, his focus solely on the road. The conversation hit a dead end, and I took it as a sign to stop asking questions. He clearly wasn't interested.Eventually, we arrived at a huge mansion, and I climbed out of the car, gripping my bag tightly as I followed him. The mansion was intimidating, and I couldn’t help b
Ava's POV Horland had never seen me before, and it could only mean one of two things.One, I might have come to town in search of supernatural creatures. After all, rumors about this place ran rampant beyond its borders, and the name of the town only fueled them.Two, I was new here, and judging by his guarded expression, the latter was more likely.The town rarely had new people, but I’d heard there were a few. A male from the Commoners pack, a wandering werewolf taken in, and then… the weird Goldington girl. The one who was me."Who are you?" he asked, his voice deep, measured, though there was something else behind it. A strange pull that mirrored my own. My heart was beating faster now, and I could tell his senses were just as heightened as mine.I took a step forward, trying to steady myself, and looked at the gun still aimed in my direction. "Can you drop the gun, please? It’s kind of scary," I asked, forcing a boldness into my voice that I didn’t quite feel.He didn't answer at
Ava's POVWhen I slowly opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the ceiling, which appeared a bit blurry. Confusion washed over me, and I turned my head to the side, only to find my aunt sitting nearby."Welcome back. But for now, just relax, because you have a lot of explaining to do," she said before leaving the room, her voice and expression filled with anger.I tried to piece together my memories, but my head throbbed, making it difficult to recall the last events before everything went dark."I was trying to escape... I remember trying to shape-shift, and then..." I started to explain, sitting up with my back against the wall.The door suddenly swung open, and the doctor walked in—the same one who had been monitoring me without my consent."Don't be too hard on yourself, and don't strain your mind trying to remember. It's important for your mental well-being," he reassured me as he approached, holding medical instruments."Can you tell me how I ended up here? Do you have any ide
Ava's POV"Aunt! Please, just let me go. I promise I won't go back again. Please!" I begged, but Aunt Janet didn’t believe me.She had lived in sorrow ever since my parents died. Not a day passed without her thinking of my father, Mark, whom she lost to the cold hands of death. And now, it seemed like I was following the same path, and she wasn’t ready to lose me too."No, Ava! I won’t. Until I see some changes in you, I won’t let you out," Aunt Janet lashed at me, clenching her fists as she tried to control the tears that rolled down her cheeks.I knew she didn’t want to chain me up, but she felt like she didn’t have a choice. It was the only way to stop me from going back to Lyconia."I won’t go back to Lyconia again. I’ve learned my lesson. They never loved me," I cried out, sweating profusely, the chain digging into my wrists."This is the same lie you told me before!" Janet yelled, her hand almost flying toward my face before she broke down in tears."I took you in, Ava. I clothed
Ava's POV Entering my room, I pulled out a series of clothes: a few chimney tops and some short clubbing gowns. I wasn’t sure what to wear, but Aunt Janet was quick to decide."I think this is good," she said, pointing at a red shiny gown."Don't you think it's too flashy?" I asked, rolling my eyes as I tried to put it back. But of course, Aunt Janet wasn’t having it."It’s not flashy, Ava. Come on! If you don’t do this, how on earth are you going to get settled? You’re twenty-six, remember?" she emphasized my age as she adjusted my shoe rack.She picked up one of my highest heels and smiled. "I think this works," she added, winking at me."Aunt, this is way too high. I only wear them for special occasions. I can’t possibly wear them now," I said, rolling my eyes again."Nonsense! You need to catch a big man—someone who can take care of you and also be handsome. Didn't you tell me big men come to your bar?" Janet rolled her eyes right back at me."Okay, fine!" I gave in, taking the cl
Ava's POV My boss was growing impatient as we lingered, signaled from afar, urging me to take the lead on the dance floor. Time was running out, and he wasn't happy with my hesitation.I cleared my throat nervously. "I'm... sorry. Let’s just dance," I muttered. The strange man sighed and pulled me gently to the middle of the dance floor, and the lights dimmed around us.Since this man was clearly an important figure, both in society and at Lavenda’s club, everyone else stepped back, leaving the stage for us."Keep the music going," my boss commanded the band, and the music resumed. As we danced, the man started asking me questions, which took me by surprise. There was something in the way he spoke—it felt like he knew something about me that I didn’t quite understand yet."Were you born here?" he asked as he spun me around effortlessly."Yes," I nodded, my body relaxing against his as the crowd clapped in approval."Tell me something," he said, gripping me at the waist, his hand b
Ava's POV The buzzing of my phone jolted me awake from a deep slumber. Scratching my itchy head, I managed to grab my phone, my hair a tangled mess.Placing the phone to my ear, Penny's frantic voice blared. "Where the hell are you, Ava?!"My eyes, still closed, flew open as I looked around the unfamiliar room. Throwing off the blanket, I gasped, "Oh shit!""Ava? Get your lazy ass here. Aunt Janet is worried about you. The boss is asking after you. And—" Penny's voice cut off as I hung up the call in shock. I scrambled out of bed, only to find the man from last night was gone."What did I do?" I wondered aloud, scratching my head in confusion. My eyes were shut tight as I tried to piece together what had happened."Damn, damn, damn! Why can't I remember anything?" I slapped my face in frustration. I put on my bra and started pulling on my pants when flashes of last night suddenly crashed back."Awww... Please...""Did I say that?" I scratched my head in total confusion. "Oh my goodnes
Ava's POVJust as Aunt Janet crashed into the limousine in front of us, a stunned silence blanketed the street, the impact echoing even through the cars far behind us. If it hadn’t been for the seat belts holding us in place, we could have easily suffered serious injuries."Are you hurt?" Aunt Janet asked, her voice tinged with worry as I placed my hand on my head and nodded vigorously."I'm okay, I'm not hurt. Are you?" I asked, though we both seemed to forget that we were werewolves and there might be someone in that limousine who could have been hurt."Why did you make that noise earlier?" Aunt Janet nearly yelled, her frustration evident. She was trying to maintain control, realizing that I had just lost my job.Before I could respond, there was a knock on the window. Aunt Janet rolled down the tinted glass."Did you realize you just bashed someone's car?" asked the man in glasses, his face contorted into a frown. From his appearance, he clearly wasn’t here to resolve things amicab
Ava’s POVAs I watched the maid collapse, fear came upon me. I couldn’t help but give the signal look of ‘I told you so’ to Lark.There’s a word for this. It was pure treason. And if we don’t do anything about it. They are coming for all of us.“Listen and listen to me carefully!” Lark hit his hand on one of the palace pillars, sending a crack through it.Blood burst out from his clenched fist, and before I could watch it heal by itself, leaving a little blood on it. “I choose her as the Luna of this pack, and whatever I want is what you will all accept,” Lark continued. This time around, he walked in the midst of the people. “If after this, anyone raises their goddamned hand on the Luna of this pack or defile her orders,” he halted, staring from one person to the other. “You won’t only have me to contend with, but your whole family will be dead on that day.” I could see everyone avoiding my eyes. I’m sure they had a lot to say, but they dare not talk about it right now, else I’m su
Ava’s POVWaking up to the morning sunshine was a bliss to my soul, especially with my soulmate beside me.His face, his eyes, they all look so tiny. I couldn’t help but touch them, until I got tempted to kiss his thin, shaped lips.Just as if burned by fire, I withdrew my hand. I never realised I had woken him up.“Good morning, Sunshine,” he smiled, his hands caressing my cheeks.I quickly looked away, my face laced with a little shyness. “Good morning, Kingy,” Even though I tried as much as possible not to think about whatever it was Pamela had said, I could bet I was still a bit down.“I promise I’m going to stand by you, Ava. I just need to trust you are with me,” he repeated, bringing me closer to him.His mint aura was so strong that I almost got kissed by him again, just to be interrupted by the knock on the door.“Who’s it?”“Alpha, I think there’s something you need to see,” one of the guards replied.Pecking me on the cheek, I volunteered to go with him, but he wouldn’t ev
Grindley’s POVI couldn’t contain my joy upon hearing that Nora is pregnant. This has always been my joy, and if it happens to be a boy, then I’ll have an heir to the throne, something that Ava couldn’t do.Anyways, I don’t need that fool for my heir. What I needed her for was to become the next Lycan king. And my love here will sit beside me as the Lycan King’s queen.But these past few days, Nora has been far from me. Not just that, she has been avoiding me like I’m some kind of plague.Could this be a result of my killing her fiancé? Or could it be because I pushed her away the other day? Am I being too harsh?Now that she’s the mother of my unborn child, shouldn’t I make her feel good?“Alpha,” One of my guards called.“Yes, what is it?”“We’ve searched everywhere for her; we can’t find her,” he answered.Anger coursed through me as I felt a bit irritated by his words. I was about to pounce on him, but I knew better than to ruin my mood. I don’t want to appear frustrated in front
Ava’s POVPushing him off me gently, I tried so hard to hold back my tears. Maybe if I toughen up in front of him, he wouldn’t want to hold on to me any longer.“Listen, Ava.” He swallowed hard, holding my hands, as he planted a kiss on them softly. “If this is about Pamela, or whatever…” he heaved a sigh. “We are here for you.”“N–”“If this is about your shaky hands and the pack, we can always find a solution, Ava. You don’t have to step down because of whatever that witch had made up,” he replied, darting from my eyes to my lips.My lips still stung from the hardcore kiss we shared a few minutes ago. “Lark I–”“Choose me,” he moaned softly against my ear. His left hand caged me as he leaned in before whispering the word ‘Please.’“Lark–”“Shhh…don’t say a word. Just please, choose me,” he placed his middle finger on my lips, cupping my hand in his hands, and staring at me intently. His eyes scrutinized my face like he had never seen it before. “I want you to stay,”“Lark, you can’
Ava’s POVI took a step backward, my heart racing faster. I stared at Xander who didn’t make any attempt to stop whatever it was that Penny was saying.I’m sure Xander has always been the type to stop himself from going further, just because Penny is human. And the same goes for Penny too.She has always been holding back from him. Even when she denies her love for him, she has always wanted him even more.Being a werewolf will only strengthen their mate bond. “This is madness,”“Then I would rather be mad protecting my best friend, now my sister. My family and my–” she took a pause, her gaze on Xander before she added. “And my lover.”My eyes were filled with so many tears, heavy ones that fell like raindrops on my cheeks.“I cannot do this,”I didn’t say much before wanting to leave. “Xander is not going to bite me, Ava.” I stopped in my tracks upon hearing her confession. My eyes darted from Penny to Xander. If Xander was indeed against Penny becoming human, and he had willingly
Grindley’s POV “Fuck me harder, My Lord,” Nora screamed. Our bodies clasped so badly that Nora screamed in ecstasy. “Argh,” I moaned aloud.Holding her hair behind, I thrust hard faster as I couldn't help myself. The sweetness that comes with the way her cunts make my body tremble. Just as I was about to climax, a knock came at the door causing me to let out a low growl. “Who the heck is that?!” “Alpha, your brother is here to see you,” Pushing Nora’s head against the bed and fucking her harder, her screams filled the room. The hotness. The sweetness. I couldn't help but shut my eyes close as I dived into her wet juicy pussy. “Awwwnnn…Alpha,” Nora cried in ecstasy. Her eyes were filled with joyful tears. I don't need a diviner to tell me that she was really having fun just like I was. “Alpha,” the guard interrupted again, causing me to knot all my juice inside of her. “Damn!” She said panting harder. Fumbling with her clits, she screamed before letting out all her juice.
In the end...seems Ava decided to ignore Pamela and choose LOVE.And now, she dragged her friend Penny her friend into the whole mess. The question now is, could Pamela really be wrong? Could it all be a myth? The shadows and everything about her story life. Are they all myths?
Ava’s POVJust then Pamela made me know that if I don't act fast. Then the whole werewolf world was doomed for failure. In the twinkle of an eye, she disappeared into thin air, leaving Penny and me in the cold, dark forest. “We have to go,” Penny pulled me up. All through the journey back home, none of us said anything. I could hear Penny's heart racing faster even with the horse walking slowly. “I want to–” the both of us chorused, breaking the silence that stretched between us for a while. Clearing my throat, I gestured with my hand. “You can go ahead,” “Do you think Pamela is lying?” Penny started her grip on her horse.“And why would you say that?” “What if she is only trying to get back at Alpha Lark and the werewolf world for killing her people?” “I'm one of her people, Penny,” I said, pointing a finger at myself. “And why would she want to hurt me and the people in the process?” “It's obvious she wanted Lark,” Penny flinched. “Can't you see the way she was looking at
Ava’s POVFear gripped me just by listening to Pamela speak. Gesticulating with her hand, and performing some vain magic that displays some things she says. And how they vanish into thin air. “Are you saying this to scare me?” I questioned in fear.As much as I tried to mask my fearful face, my heart wouldn't yield up. “No, Ava. You were chosen for this course.” She answered. With the way she was showing me everything with the snap of her fingers, my knees wobbled beneath me. I could swear that my wolf was scared as well because I'd never heard Neva speak again.I mean she has been talking to me before we got here. And now that Pamela was revealing some scary things to us, she has finally gone mute. I swallowed hard as I watched the werewolf world destroyed. Ashes and blood were the only things left. Not just the werewolf world got destroyed, even the human world was as well. Dark creatures, which don't look like humans or wolves, invaded everywhere. And everyone, including mys