Ava’s POV. “Ava, wait!!”Their voices chased after me, filled with urgency and confusion. But I did not stop. My heart was slamming against my ribs as I ran down the stairs. My legs were shaking, but I was determined to put as much distance between us as possible. I could not face them. I could not be their mate. That is not possible, especially when Vanessa's stare is lurking behind. Everything about their behavior felt like a mistake, like a cruel joke, as if the universe was playing a trick on me. People like them were not supposed to be connected to people like me. They were strong, important, and came from a world I didn’t belong to. Meanwhile, I was barely surviving, treated like trash by everyone around me. The moment I reached my classroom, I rushed to my seat, forcing myself to take a slow breath. My hands were still trembling as I placed them on my cheek. My finger was cold despite the warmth in the room. I glanced around, my chest tightening when I noticed Vanessa's s
Ava’s POV I felt a sharp pain stabbed through my head the moment my eyes floated open. A groan slipped from my lips, my vision swimming in the haze of darkness, shifting between shadows. My body felt heavier than usual, and I fell asleep, extremely weak like I had been drained of all my energy. For a moment, everything was a blur. My mind struggled to process what happened. And then it hit me hard. The moment I was grabbed, the sound of footsteps, and then after that, I saw nothing. It was blank. A chill ran down my spine as I tried to move, only to feel resistance. My wrists were bound tightly behind me, the rough rope cutting into my skin. I twisted my hand, whizzing at the friction bound against my flesh. My heart quickened against my ribs, my breath coming out in short gaps. The room felt cold. I shifted slightly, feeling the hard, gritty floor under me, dirty and stone-scrambled against my leg. And the uncomfortable pleasure of the floor told me I had been here for a while.
Steve’s POV I walked into the mart, my hands shoved deep into my pockets. The bright fluorescent lights sting my eyes, but I barely notice. My mind is too preoccupied, replaying the way Ava stormed off earlier.She’s been avoiding us. After school, Irish, Zayne, and I tried to find her, but she was nowhere to be seen. It’s driving me crazy. Ever since I found out she’s my mate, it’s been hell trying to control myself. My wolf wants her, wants to claim her, mark her. But I can’t.I grab a random snack off the shelf, not because I need it but because I need something to do. Something to pull my mind away from the burning frustration clawing at me. But it doesn’t help. Nothing does.The cashier barely glances at me at first, scanning the item like she does with every other customer. But then, recognition flashes across her face. Her eyes widened, and before I could stop her, she bowed her head.“Alpha’ Steve,” she whispers, her voice filled with respect.I clench my jaw.The movement ca
Ava’s POV A pounding headache greets me as I slowly blink my eyes open. A sharp throbbing pulse at the back of my head, making me wince as I sit up. My body feels strange, heavy yet light at the same time, as if I’ve been floating in and out of consciousness for hours.I tried to remember what happened, but then everything hit hard. How I got kidnapped and the gunshot.My breathing quickens, my chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. I pressed my hand to my knees, expecting to feel the wound, but I felt nothing. My brows furrow as I run my fingers over the spot where the bullet should have torn through my skin. It’s smooth. Unscarred. As if nothing ever happened.Before I could process what was happening, the door creaked open, and Steve stepped inside. His tall frame moves with ease, and his green eyes lock onto mine. The moment our gazes meet, I forget how to breathe. His presence is overpowering; something about the way he looks at me makes my stomach twist.I try to stand, but
Ava’s POVSteve doesn’t move away.Instead, he presses his lips harder against mine, deepening the kiss. His lips move slowly, carefully, like he’s savoring the moment. His hands explore my body, trailing along my waist, my sides, and my back. The heat of his touch seeps through the thin fabric of my clothes, sending shivers down my spine.I don’t stop him.I can’t even think of doing that. Something inside me crumbles, breaking apart under the weight of his warmth. I feel powerless, completely lost in the way his mouth moves against mine, the way his fingers glide over my skin like he’s memorizing every inch of me. My body betrays me, melting into his, surrendering without resistance.But Steve suddenly pulls away, his body jerking back like he just snapped out of a daze. He takes a shaky breath, his hands curling into fists at his sides. His green eyes flicker with something unreadable, regret, maybe? Guilt?“I’m sorry,” he mutters, his voice rough, strained. “I shouldn’t have done
Ava’s POVI don’t flinch. I don’t even blink. Sarah’s reaction didn’t surprise me, I expected it.“If you are not somewhere spreading your legs, then where?” She takes a step closer, and I move back.She raised her hands for another slap but she held it back into a fist, her sharp gaze locked onto mine, filled with suspicion and something else I can’t quite place. “Where the hell have you been then?” she demands, crossing her arms over her chest. “You disappeared for an entire day. Do you think this house is a hotel?”I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. If I tell her the truth, will she believe me? Will it even matter?
Ava’s POVThe morning sun filters through the window and I blink a few times before opening my eyes, my body still aching from yesterday’s ordeal. My face stings where Sarah slapped me. I push myself out of bed, my legs feeling heavier than usual. I don’t want to go to school, but I have no choice. If I skip, it’ll only give Sarah more reason to torment me. She’ll call me lazy, useless, a disgrace to the family. Dragging myself to the bathroom, I stare at my reflection. My eyes are slightly swollen from all the crying. My lower lip looks red where I bit it too hard last night. I look miserable. I feel miserable. But I don’t really have time to dwell on it, I’m used to it. After a quick shower, I slip into my uniform. The fabric is a little worn-out, the edges fraying from too many washes. I don’t care. It’s not like I have another option. I grab my bag, take a deep breath, and step out of my room.The house is quiet. Sarah is probably still asleep. Good. I don’t need her ruining my
Ava’s POVI feel like my body isn’t mine anymore. My heart beats fast, and my breathing is shallow. Irish’s grip on my wrist is strong but not painful, but enough to remind me that I can’t escape. His fingers press into my skin, his touch warm and firm.I hate how my body reacts to him. I hate how his presence makes everything feel confusing.“Stop looking at me like that,” he murmurs, his voice low and unreadable.“Like what?” I swallow hard. His grip on my wrist tightens slightly, pulling me a fraction closer. My breath hitches. His gaze dips to my lips for a second, so fast I might’ve imagined it. But then, before I can process what’s happening, his lips are on mine.The kiss is brief, just a few seconds, but it steals the air from my lungs. His lips are warm, firm, pressing against mine with a confidence that makes my stomach flip. He doesn’t rush, doesn’t force it’s just enough to make me forget everything else.Then, just as suddenly, he pulls away.I barely get a chance to rea
Ava’s POVThe triplets had given me more than enough money, and I felt a strange mix of gratitude and guilt as I carried the cash in my bag on the walk home.When I finally made it back to the house, my nerves were on edge. I could hear my stepmother moving around in the living room. Taking a deep breath, I walked in, my heart pounding as soon as I crossed the threshold.She was sitting on the couch, her back straight as she scrolled through her phone, but when she heard the door close, her eyes immediately snapped to me. There was no soft greeting, no warm words. Just the cold gaze of a woman who expected everything to go her way.“You’re back,” she said flatly, her tone laced with suspicion. “Where’s
Steve’s POVI couldn’t sit still. The moment those words left her mouth, I felt my heart drop.“I’m in deep shit.”She said it so quietly, but the weight of it pulled the air right out of my body. I stared at her, still watching her fingers wrapped around the teacup, the steam rising and curling in front of her pale face.I shifted from where I was sitting on the floor and pushed myself up. My knees cracked a little as I stood, but I didn’t care. I walked closer and slowly knelt in front of her, lifting my hands and cupping her cold face between my palms. Her skin was softer than usual, but it was cold, and her cheeks still felt damp from the rain.
Iris’s POVThe sound of the knife hitting the cutting board filled the kitchen, steady and slow. I wasn’t in a rush. Cooking had always been one of the few things that calmed my mind, and tonight wasn’t any different. The sky outside had already darkened, rain had started falling not too long ago, and the cold breeze slipping through the window kept brushing against my skin.I could hear the soft sounds of gunfire and explosions coming from the sitting room. Zayne was buried deep in another one of his video games. His laughter would echo every now and then, followed by the sound of him trash-talking the other players.In the corner of the room, Steve sat with his head bent over a pile of books, his pen mo
Ava’s POVTwo days had passed, but the weight on my chest only seemed to grow heavier. School hadn’t been any easier either. I spent the day dragging myself from one class to another, pretending to listen, pretending to laugh, pretending to be fine, but I know I wasn’t a little bit fine.I have found a way to escape from Vanessa's torment, but I can’t do that forever. I have to find a way to escape her finally. But how?I have stood up for myself the other day, but that can’t continue forever.I brushed the thought away, trying to ease myself before I’d get home. Knowing fully my stepmom is going to be sitting inside the sitting room waiting for the money I promised he
Ava’s POVI let out a long quiet breath the moment Vanessa was gone. My fingers were still slightly stiff from how tightly I’d held her wrist, and my chest ached from holding my breath too long.Even though Venessa walked away, I knew it wouldn’t be the end. I knew her well enough to know she’d come back harder. Vanessa wasn’t the type to lose and stay quiet. She’d wait for the right moment to make me pay for daring to stand up for myself.But even knowing that, I didn’t feel scared.I pulled in another deep breath, pushing my hair away from my face, and slowly turned back toward my locker. My legs felt heavy, like they wanted to give up, but I forced them to move.When I reached my seat, I sat down with a heavy breath, my eyes scanning my desk, the thought of Zach dropping another unrequited gift lump around me. I swallowed hard, my fingers hesitated on the lock for a moment before I pulled the desk open.The first thing I did was look inside. My eyes swept every corner, half-expect
Ava’s POVVenessa lifted her arms, attempt to slap me but before her hand could reach me, my hand shot up, fast, wrapping around her wrist so tight I felt her pulse jump beneath my fingers, my grip didn’t shake. I made sure of it.Her eyes dropped to where I held her, and for a second I saw the shift of surprise flickered, just barely, in her gaze before the anger came crashing back even harder.I know she hadn’t expected me to stop her…..I know, she thought I’d stand and take every of her shit, like I always did. But not again.“Let go of my hand Ava,” her lips clipped together, her eyes held mine.
Ava’s POVVanessa’s lips curled into a small, sharp snicker as she stared down at me.She didn’t say anything, She just stood before me, tapping her fingers against her folded arms, circling me like a cat deciding how long it wanted to play with its trapped prey. Every of her footstep adds to the tickling of my heart beat.I kept my head down, my fingers gripping the dirt-stained edge of my skirt, holding on like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. My chest rose and fell too fast, my heartbeat pounding inside my ears so loud it drowned everything else, but still, I couldn’t move. My body stayed frozen. Only my ears worked.Venessa suddenly stopped
Ava’s POVMy heart skipped a beat the second my eyes met hers.For a moment, I couldn’t move. My feet stayed glued to the floor, and all the air seemed to disappear from my lungs. Of all the things I expected to face this morning, Vanessa standing right there in front of me wasn’t one of them.My whole body tensed, and one single thought kept spinning through my head. Is this week going to be as fun as last week?Venessa stayed away all last week, and for once, I’d been able to breathe without the thought of her hanging over me.Last week was easier. I guess I let myself hope that maybe, just maybe I’d get a little more time
Writer’s POVMonday came with the usual noise of a new school week. The hallways were crowded with students.Vanessa walked into the school building, her arms folded on her chest.Her steps were slow, but her presence, as always, was impossible to ignore. Heads turned, some whispered, some stared longer than they should. She hadn’t been around lately, skipping school under the excuse of “needing to rest.” But no one dared question her too much, not when it came to Vanessa.The moment she stepped into the classroom, the student noticed her.Their faces lit up almost instantly, one by one, as if the sun