Chapter 8

Ava is asleep in my arms. I carefully free myself from her. I’m feeling disoriented and sore. Looking in the bathroom mirror I can see that it clearly wasn’t a dream. There’s a few scratches and light bruising on my neck. I sit in the tub and let the shower water fall on me like a rain storm.

For a moment I get lost in the thought of this being some kind of forever. I shuffle my tarot cards on the coffee table. My heart thinks it’s possible for me to have some kind of a happy life with Ava. The World and the Ten of Cups. I shake my head. It’s like these cards are mocking that very thought. They show me harmonious happiness along with achievement and completion.

If only life could truly be that easy. I watch Ava sleep for a few minutes. She’s absolutely everything I never knew I wanted. I know I could love her. There’s a cosmic connection here for sure. Some people never know a love like this. Ava could leave tomorrow but yet ten years from now if I saw her, I know I’d feel the same. Love like this doesn’t fade. Though it can be challenged.

Her eyes open with fear. “Hi.” I say quietly. She wipes a lonely tear that drips from her eye, “Good morning.” Ava replies. “Are you alright?” I’m genuinely concerned. She sits up, “Yes. I have recurring dreams that are more like nightmares.” I’m not sure if I should touch her or leave her alone. “Do you want to go get some breakfast?” I ask. “Sure.” She says.

The waitress brings two plates of big fluffy waffles to our diner table. “Can I have a chocolate milk please?” The waitress nods, “Anything else for you miss?” Ava looks up at her, “Another coffee would be great.” We eat our waffles. Hers with strawberries and whipped cream. Mine with butter and maple syrup. We’re similar but entirely different.

Ava what did you steal yesterday?

She continues to eat her waffles. I need to know what I’m dealing with here. Are you some kind of criminal? “No. Nothing like that.” She said. “So why did you do it?” I ask out loud. The waitress brings us our drinks. “Thank you.” I say to her and then glance back at Ava. “I can’t tell you.” She says. “Why not? You can tell me anything.” She disagrees, “Not yet.”

Ava doesn’t let me pay for breakfast. Fine, I’ll buy lunch. She smiles. “I need to find a place where I can get a new cellphone.” Ava points across the street, “What about that place?” I look over, “Yeah that should work.”

The salesman approaches Ava and begins to show her new products. I go right to the counter to speak to the clerk. “Can I help you?” He asks. “Yes. I need a prepaid smartphone please?” The clerk walks around the counter and shows me a few to choose from. “I need the one with the best camera, and the most storage. I’m also gonna need a case, nothing girly. And a screen protector.” He unlocks the case and grabs a box. “I’ll meet you at the counter.” He says.

Ava is laughing with the salesman and taking selfies on the floor model phones. I can feel myself getting angry. Which is odd because I’m not usually a jealous person. I watch her while I checkout at the register. Ava you’re getting awful flirty with that guy. She looks at me and raises her hands in the air like she has no idea what I’m talking about. The clerk behind the counter hands me my bag. “Let’s go Ava.” She follows me out.

She’s laughing, “You’re so freaking jealous. I thought you weren’t like that.” Ava mocks me. “I’m usually not. This feels different.” Ava holds my hand, “Must be the whole werewolf thing. We can get to be pretty intense with our lovers.”

Lovers? Is that all that she thinks we are? Are we not more? I certainly don’t want to share her with anyone else. “Aster we just met. Aren’t you being a little ridiculous?” Maybe she’s right, “Possibly, but I’ve never felt like this before.” She stops in her tracks, “I remember what it was like to be new at this. It was exciting and everything feels so intense. All of the senses are in overdrive.”

Exactly. “How do I slow everything down?” She puts her hand on my cheek and I begin to calm down. “You have to learn to harness it’s energy.” She says. Part of me knows she’s right and the other side is skeptical about this whole thing. “It’s not like I have a choice. Right?” She agrees, “The wolf chooses you. You can’t deny it’s power. Although you are different. Not sure what you’re capable of yet exactly.” I look at her, “Not yet?” She seems suspicious.

She tries to set my mind at east, “Don’t worry. I just want to learn everything I can about you and your powers. We’ll figure it out together.” She says. Right, I’ll work on that not worrying part. If I could master that, I’d be fucking rich. I may come off tough, but I’m an anxious mess half the time. The tough guy persona is just that. It’s an act. “I know that.” She says. In a way I’m glad I don’t have to fake who I am around her. I can be myself.

“It’s time to hit the road again. I’d like to reach the coast today.” She smiles from ear to ear, “You’re gonna love it there. I think Beta Reed and Alpha Wes will approve of you right away.” Alpha Beta who? what the fuck is she talking about? Suddenly I feel like we’re talking college fraternities.

“I’m the Gamma. Reed is the Beta, and wes is the Alpha. Then we have Gavin our healer. And Bernie our Luna.” She tries to explain.

I’m fucking lost Ava.

It’s just pack life. You’ll get the hang of it. All we gotta do is convince them to let you join as a slave. “No thanks. I’ll just stay rogue. I don’t want to be a slave to anyone.” She looks upset, “Aster you could be my slave?” Ava has far too much hope in her eyes. I manage to squash that thought, “I’ll never be a slave.”

She looks to me, “Then you might end up dead.” She says.