When Ava asked Grayson to come over for some sex, she couldn't believe what she had just done. He felt so good because it had been so long since she had been touched. Even though it wasn't the best choice, he went ahead and made it.
She reached out and took his hand, then led him into the house.
Everything made her feel bad about herself all of a sudden. About the toys that are all over the floor, the old furniture, and how old she is as a person. She didn't have polish on her fingernails, her hair was a mess, and she hadn't shaved her legs since... well, she didn't even want to think about how long it had been.
Not to mention taking care of the woman's garden.
Most likely, dust was all over it.
What did she think at that moment?
In Santorini, the package included sand and sea, hot days and even hotter nights, the guy who had blown her mind, and her clit. She had been thinking the exact same thing.
At this point, Ava didn't know what to do. She had been able to get him inside. She had an odd wish for him to grab her, kiss her passionately, and then bend her over the sofa.
Easy-peasy. Still, she didn't want that for herself in the long run. She wanted to be on her own and have the freedom to choose. So, she had no choice but to stand up for herself and ask for what she wanted.
It looked like he did know. Grayson ran his hand through her hair and fiddled with the strands with his fingers. "I'm scared too."
"You don't appear like it." She was about to deny what he said or say he was wrong, but in the end she agreed that he was right. It didn't matter who said it, that was condescending.
Since I went to Santorini, I haven't been with anyone.
It wasn't something that should have made her happy, but it did. "Me either."
He got close to her and lightly kissed her lips as he did so. It was no longer important all of a sudden. That didn't change anything. Not the toys that were all over the floor, not her furniture, and not even the lady garden she was taking care of. That didn't matter; compared to the tension between them, it was just background noise. She felt like she should remember what had happened, but she just couldn't put her finger on it.
Grayson changed the way she thought about everything. He smelled like a mix of expensive cologne and the bitter cold. The way he filled the room with his presence, the way his muscles rippled under her fingers, the flood of memories of Santorini and how their naked bodies worked together to reach a peak, and the way he made her feel about herself were all important.
She was the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world.
How important her role was.
The fact that each person felt like a person who mattered was much more important than their amazing connection.
A feeling of guilt came up. Everyone expects her to be at Aphelion with her child. She was lonely and wanted to find someone to sleep with quickly, but she couldn't find anyone here.
The thought that came into her head was harsh and cold.
As usual, Grayson seemed to completely understand what she was thinking. "Well, if you don't want this, we can stop it. You can still want it. It's okay to have a separate identity from being a mother."
"How do you know what I'm thinking all the time? How was it possible?"
"Mate privilege." He brushed his face against hers, and it almost looked like he was trying to leave his scent on her. Like a wolf.
"I'm afraid I can't be your mate. I'm human." She didn't know if the feelings she was having were those of excitement or fear, or if they were a mix of the two.
"I'm the wolf between us, honey. I know who my mate is." He smiled at her from above.
"Then why didn't you know that in Santorini?" This was too good to be true.
When she showed up with his son, he knew right away that she was his wife. Whatever. Except that the thought made her feel cold guilt run down her back. Graham may have lied about his name, but if she had been in his place, she would have done the same. He had always been kind and quiet, almost like a dream.
It was there. What was making her doubtful. A Grayson Redwood seemed like a dream.
"Because we still weren't ready. I was still a young wolf who was still learning what it meant to be Beta to my brother and to my pack. If that happened, I wouldn't have been a good friend to you."
"What gives you the idea that you've changed?"
"Are you the same person you used to be?"
She turned red. No, she was still a million miles from where she wanted to be and a million miles from who she was five years ago.
"Most likely not."
"Are you going to judge me more harshly than you judge yourself?"
She put her fingers on his shoulders and moved them around. She liked the way he felt and didn't want to let go. “Maybe.”
He made a grin with his mouth. "All right. I'm okay with it. What do you think?"
She had a low-lying desire. "What can I do?" She put her chin up. "May I takei t?" Lord, when she said it that way, it sounded awful. From the way he looked at me, I knew that was what he meant.
She made up her mind right then that this would happen. “Yeah. I can.”
He seemed to be able to smell her thoughts, or maybe it was her desire. The way he looked at her made her feel like prey, but she couldn't think of anything better. She took a deep breath and fought the sudden urge to run, not because she was scared.Because she wanted him to go after her and catch her.
These ideas were so strange and different. Not even close to her own.
She moved away from him, and he turned his head to the side, as if he knew what she was going to do."Seriously?" His smile got bigger, showing off all of his beautiful, white teeth.
She chewed on it. “Really.”
Ava ran into the bedroom, but he was right behind her, pouncing on her and pushing her down into the unmade bed. She smiled.
"That was just teasing."
"I like teasing you."
"Do you?" His eyes had turned amber, and that reminded him of everything. She was reminded of who he was and how easy it was for him to hurt her.
Even though she didn't think he would hurt her, she couldn't help but run away.
He shut his eyes and moved away from her. "Ava, I can't change who I am."
"I know." She inhaled deeply. "But I like who I think you are, so what you are must be a part of that, right?" Ava didn't know if she was trying to persuade herself or him.
"Who do you suppose I am?"
"Hey, you have to give me a break just like I have to give you one. Before today, I didn't even know your real name."
"I suppose that makes sense."
She said in a quiet voice, "But I want this." "I want to touch you and feel the way I felt in Santorini."
"Who knows if there will ever be anything like Santorini? It was like a storybook. Something magical."
She said, "The way you touched me made me feel like I was the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen."
"You are."
She laughed. "I don't think so."
"Will you let me show you?" He asked as if the answer couldn't be or wouldn't be "no."
Ava couldn't think of a woman who would say no to an afternoon with Grayson Redwood and was still alive. Golden eyes or not. They were also quite pretty. She thought, probably wrongly, that the hunter in him also thought she was pretty.
Wasn't a beast just a beast?
But Grayson had always been a perfect gentleman, and her son wasn't a wild animal.
Grayson wasn't the person she was scared of running into in a dark alley—it was her own ex-husband. She wasn't going to pass up this chance, even though she didn't really know what he was.
Ava could try to trust him now that she has a chance. Only a little bit."Tell me."He got her naked so quickly that she didn't even notice. All of her worries and doubts flooded back into her mind and took her out of the moment.But when she looked up at him and saw how he looked at her, she knew it was a lie. Didn't it?
It had nothing to do with how he had looked at her in Santorini. He had looked at her like she was a work of art in Santorini. He looked at her like this? It seemed like she was the only woman in the world. She felt like he was completely focused on her and that he was her body and soul.
Ava couldn't figure out how to think about something like that."Why are you looking at me that way?"
"Like you're my mate? Like you're the only woman I'll ever want to look at again? Like you're the only living thing I want to enjoy? Because you are."
She didn't believe him when she thought about it logically, but when he spoke, she couldn't help but believe him when she looked into his eyes. When they looked at each other, she couldn't get away from him, and she didn't want to. Ava wanted to let him pull her down, so she could fall back into the ocean of him like raindrops.
She didn't want to leave this moment. She wanted to feel beautiful all the time.
Wanted.
Safe.
But as soon as she let herself enjoy it, it was gone.
In the back of her mind, she heard the sound of a broken lock without a key. Behind that lock and chains, a monster you can't even imagine woke up and was hungry. There were black tentacles reaching out to her mind...
Ava blinked as shadows began to circle her.
For a moment, a writhing beast stood in place of Grayson. Not the beast he showed her when he was guarding their son, but something else.
Darker. Twisted. Then it disappeared.
Only Grayson was there.
The man who felt like a monster.
"Ava, what's wrong?" He put his hand on her cheek.
His hand was real and warm. It was solid and made of flesh. His touch was always soft, and his voice was always full of care. They were no longer attracted to each other, and all she could think about was running away.
But she was smart enough not to run. He would chase her if she ran away. They liked chasing... A memory that had been just out of reach came close to her mind and then flew away.
“Nothing.” She gulped down hard. Grayson wasn't a monster, she knew. He was not bad. He'd never hurt her. Does he?
"Your worry stinks." He put his hand down and shut his eyes. "Tell me what to do!"
"I'm not sure." All of Ava's wants were gone. Only the monster was there in its place. She knew Grayson wouldn't hurt her because it made sense. But she had a very strong instinct that made her ignore all reason.
When he opened his eyes again, they were a soft, glowing ember. At the same time, it is both beautiful and awful.
She couldn't look at him, so she looked down at the floor. She felt fear cutting through her.
"He comes up to help you. I wish I could get that across to you." His voice was low and gravelly because he was an animal.
She mumbled, "I do."
"I'll go."
Even Ava couldn't stand it. She didn't want to see him go. She was so confused about who she was. Part of her needed him to be close to her and wanted him to touch her in all the ways he had on Santorini. Wanting to dump all of her problems on him, especially since he had asked for them. He had promised to look out for her. Safety. Forever. Only the other part of her knew how to be afraid. Was scared. "Stay here. Not this way."
"Ava, I'm not sure what you want from me. You're scared of me being close, but you don't want me to go away. If I keep smelling your fear, my beast will come out to protect you. That will only make us more different."
He wrapped a blanket around her when she was naked, and even though he made her scared, he also made her feel better. None of this made sense to her. She might have needed therapy more than she thought before.
"But even when you touch me, I still want you. I don't know why I feel the way I do about you.""I can also still smell that. But I won't touch you even though I want to. It makes me sick that you are afraid of me."
"It isn't you." She moved closer to him.
"The werewolf did it. I understand that, but so am I."
"I know. I apologize." The moment was spoiled by regret.
"You're not to blame, Ava." He leaned over and put his chin on top of her head. "That jerk Breslin did it. Maybe it was a good idea to come to Aphelion. If you're this scared, everyone will always be on high alert, ready to change at any time to get rid of the danger."
“Everyone?”
I told her, "As the mother of the Redwood heir, you will be given a place of honor and respect, just like I told you I would." No one at Aphelion would be unwilling to give their life for you and our child.
She hugged him tighter and took a few deep breaths at the same time. "Knowing that can help a little bit. If the thing under the bed scares me, maybe it will also scare away the people who want to hurt me.
"It will kill all of your enemies. I swear on my honor."
She focused by squeezing her lips together. "I truly apologize." The words couldn't say everything that was going on in her mind at that moment. She felt bad about letting herself be scared. She felt awful that she had let him in and then kicked him out. She said that she was sad that they would never be able to go back to Santorini to the time when their lives were easier.
"There's no need to feel bad about it. Just promise me that even if you don't want my protection for yourself, you'll let me take care of our child.
Ava was worried about what that meant, but she couldn't say no. Grayson didn't make her feel the most scared. Instead, it was Peter. No matter if the other kids were monsters or not, Elijah was Grayson's son. Grayson would look out for him in a way that Ava could never do.
"I promise."
"I totally get why you don't want to go to Aphelion. I've met a lot of people, and you're the only one who seems as scared as you do. It hurts me so much to see you in such a bad way. So, it looks like you might be right. I can bring Elijah back to your house later if that's what you want.”
She moved away and had to force herself to look up into his eyes that were too much like her own. It hurts there. The stress. Even the fear picked at the scars she didn't know she had like a sharp little blade. Elijah's desire to have a place to call home and a family. For a parent. Strong roots. She knew she couldn't give him the safety on her own. Not like being with people like him.
"I'll come. Since you were also right. Elijah needs to be with other people like him, and I would never put him in a cage. I'd never do that to him to break his spirit. Lenore told me it wasn't fair to deny him his birthright, and she's right.
"Lenore is often correct. She is a lucky aunt for my son."
"I never thought a werewolf would say something like that about Lenore. She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself.
"She is an important part of our lives. I'm afraid there are more bad hunters than good hunters these days. This new breed doesn't care much about the old rules. But Lenore? She is a good person. I'll admit that it takes a lot more courage to stick to the old ways than to be like her mother and brother. I can see that her scars are deep and still bleed. But she doesn't stop because of that. Elijah can learn a lot from her."
"Earlier, when they were playing, I thought it was kind of magical that he could play with her without holding back. That he could be himself around her and no one would get hurt."
"How old was he when he changed for the first time? Do you have photos that I can copy?"
Something was strange about her. She paused. "You know..." "I didn't try to stop you from seeing him."
"Yes, Ava, I know that. I shouldn't have lied about my name. "I made a mistake there."
"But if you had, I don't think we would have spent that time together. I would have gone the other way so fast. The Big and Scary Redwoods... Or maybe we would've. What an insult to Peter's intelligence." She had a quiet laugh.
"More like a dick." He shook his head and laughed. "I'm going back to Aphelion," he said. Before Elijah has to go home, I want to spend some time with him."“I… I'll come along. I do want to meet Elijah's other relatives."
"They are now part of your family, too. Whether or not you want us."
She laughed in a weak way. "I guess that's how most families are. Do you really think they'd want me there?"Ava didn't like how needy she came across. How uncertain she was. Peter always made her feel that way. Like no one but him could ever want her. What a bother she was. She did everything wrong.
"When I told Kyle about you and Elijah, the first thing he asked me was when you were moving in."
"The first one?" She watched him.
"Well, that might not be the first." He grinned. "We have more money than Midas, which is always a worry. But he doesn't want you to leave. We all want Elijah and you to be there."
"I'll come today. I won't make any promises, but I'll let you take care of him and be his father."
"Thank you, Ava."
She felt terrible when she saw how grateful he was. He shouldn't have to ask for permission to take care of his child.
"Thank you for being clear." She chewed on it. "Let me put on my clothes, and then we can go. While we're there, maybe I can talk to your Mrs. Westwood."
She might be able to figure out why Ava did what she did. Part of her thought it was post-traumatic stress disorder from Peter, but something told her it was more than that. Something even scarier than the beast she was afraid of, and Ava couldn't hide any longer.
She had a son to take care of and a life to live, and she wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in her way.
He was surrounded by pheromones, which gave him a head rush.Grayson tried hard to keep his beast under control, but it was hard. He now deeply understood the pain Kyle had been through before Randi was Changed. How hard it had been for him to struggle to get the self-control that had been so easy to get for so long.So early on, the Redwoods were taught when and how to hold back the beast that lived inside them and when and how to let him go. Before they were allowed to interact with regular people, they had already learned how to control people very well.He had his first taste of this craziness earlier that day, when he was on the plane with Randi and she was trying to break the link between herself and Kyle. But that wasn't anything compared to how he felt right now.Grayson had a hard time understanding that his mate was scared and there was nothing he could do about it, but also that she was scared of him. He just couldn't understand why she was afraid of him. that she didn't kn
"Just now, I was thinking about that boat in Santorini."She smiled. "Me too. C'mon!""Look, that will not work."Ava's eyebrows went up. "I'll punch you in the face if you say something stupid about women who drive. Arewolves or not?"He gave her a smile. "No, nothing like that. Westwood would knock me into my next life. I'm not stupid." Grayson gave a head shake. "You're beautiful, Ava. And you make me feel. But you already said no. I don't want to put any pressure on you.""You mean what?"He chose to be direct. "Get a hard on, Ava."“Oh!” Her face got red. "Well, I mean… just get on the damn broom.""If you're sure." He sat on the broomstick behind her, and in two words, it was exquisite torture.How long does it take to get to Aphelion? she asked, out of breath.It was good for his pride to know that she wasn't unaffected. He knew she wanted him, that she wanted a person like him."Just a short time." He reached around her to point to the hill in the distance. "From here, you can
His words were supposed to comfort her, but instead, she couldn't help but dwell on what he would be missing out on by being with a mate who couldn't fully embrace his true self, just like he deserved."What does that mean for you?" she asked."Let's not discuss this anymore, okay? We've had enough of it. All the darkness and fear will still be waiting for us when we return. Today, let's take a walk on the beach. Let's talk about things like we used to when we first met.""You were studying art," she recalled. She had thought he was perfect back then, and she was pleasantly surprised when he asked her out for coffee. Her stomach was filled with butterflies every time he looked at her.To be honest, she still felt that way."I still am. I'll always have the heart of an artist," he replied."And the soul of a wolf," she added."All creative individuals must have that, if they want to survive," he explained.Ava buried her toes deeper into the sand, feeling the water slowly inching its w
Instead of succumbing to panic and allowing the fear to consume her, Ava mustered the courage to face the situation head-on. She forced herself to gaze directly at the figure, determined to identify the intruder."How do you know it's not Peter?" Grayson asked, his voice laced with concern."If it were Peter, he would have attacked us while we were defenseless in our sleep," Ava replied, her tone resolute."Stay here. I'm going to swim closer and investigate," Grayson decided, ready to take action.Treading water, Ava had an epiphany. She realized that she had a choice. She could continue treading water, staying stagnant, or she could swim and make progress. Moving forward seemed better than remaining in a state of uncertainty."No way. I'm coming with you," Ava declared, determined not to be left behind.She anticipated Grayson's objections, but he didn't protest. Instead, he nodded in agreement, and together they swam towards the boat.Memories of their time on that boat flooded Ava
"Thanks, punkin," Ava said, petting the broom as it revved. "Hopefully, it takes us back to Aphelion."Grayson wrapped his arms around her waist, and she leaned back against his warmth.Before long, they spotted the massive mansion in the distance. It felt as if they hadn't moved at all, but rather time and space had folded around them."I still can't believe people actually live there," Ava marveled."People also work there. Our Research and Development for Redwood Industries is on site. Blake's mate used to be the VP of R&D and wanted to kill him," Grayson explained."Seems like being a Redwood attracts such attention," she chuckled.The broom descended slowly, and as they got closer to the ground, the mansion appeared even more imposing. It seemed like a beast ready to swallow them whole.Mrs. Westwood, with her grandmotherly appearance, awaited their arrival. Her face reflected patient understanding, as if she knew the lessons she had sent them to learn and was now ready to offer
Ava mustered her strength and reluctantly pulled away from his comforting embrace. She knew she had to get ready for the slumber party happening in her room. There was no time to settle in. She searched for her clothes and found them neatly folded and clean."You can take the t-shirt if you want. It might help you sleep," he suggested."A t-shirt to aid sleep?" Ava questioned, her lips curling into a smile. The idea seemed peculiar yet oddly enticing."It carries my scent, a sense of safety. Maybe your mind doesn't recognize it yet, but your body does. That's why you slept so soundly this afternoon."Ava's desire to take the shirt grew stronger. She hesitated, realizing the implications it held. It was more than just accepting his shirt or seeking his protection. It signified a deeper connection, an acknowledgment that she belonged to him. The thought didn't feel as daunting in the aftermath of their peaceful slumber. And if being close to him brought her such joy, she couldn't help b
As the door to her chamber swung open, the scene that unfolded before her eyes both exceeded and fell short of Lenore's expectations.Lenore was nestled in a seated position, legs folded neatly like a pretzel, a phrase Noah often used. Her attire consisted of loose-fitting sweatpants and a whimsical Scottish pub t-shirt, proudly displaying the emblem of The Wolf and Lamb. The vibrant green hue of the shirt evoked a sense of Scotland within her. How curious it was that a color could evoke such vivid associations.Meanwhile, Randi, engrossed in the task of painting Lenore's nails, was far from a skilled hand. Frustration escaped her lips in a hushed muttering, expressing her self-doubt. "Oh, damn it," she grumbled. "I'm just not cut out for this."Lenore chuckled in response. "Keep trying," she encouraged.But then, another woman, situated on the floor, interjected with a determined tone. "Allow me to give it a try."Lenore hesitated, contemplating the offer. "No, I'll manage."The unfa
Maribella inquired, curiosity filling her eyes, "Is it true? About the forest and the demon wolf?"Lenore chuckled once again, confirming the rumors, "Yes, it's true. But I didn't accomplish it all on my own."Maribella's gaze intensified as she mentioned another intriguing rumor, "They say you're Luchtaine's mate."Lenore's expression turned contemplative as she responded, "That's what they say. However, I haven't seen him since I was seventeen.""Was he incredibly attractive?" Maribella sighed, seemingly captivated by the idea."He was utterly terrifying," Lenore responded with a snort. "Okay, fine, he was undeniably attractive. He was very, very attractive. But I've come to realize that any man I find myself attracted to is probably not good for me."Ava's mind wandered back to the mysterious man in the cloak. "Lenore, speaking of men who are bad news... Do you happen to know someone named Gabriel Harrison?"Maribella burst into laughter. "Of course she does. He used to be a hunter
Ava experienced a delightful mix of anticipation and jitters as she readied herself for the inaugural visiting day at the Academy. The separation from Noah had been challenging, yet deep down, she knew it was the best choice they could make. The knowledge that he was secure among his peers, acquiring knowledge and blossoming into his own while still relishing his childhood, brought her solace.This period of separation had proven advantageous for Ava as well. It afforded her the opportunity to reclaim her identity as a wolf and skillfully navigate the intricate terrain of straddling two worlds. The profound connection she forged with the Okami granted her a profound sense of restoration and a rekindling of her untamed spirit.As she observed her husband gracefully moving about their dwelling at Aphelion, casually tending to everyday tasks like slipping on socks and securing his shoelaces, Ava couldn't help but ponder how far they had journeyed. In the depths of her mind, she realized
"You might want to step back," she cautioned, a primal howl escaping her throat.Grayson appeared unsettled, yet she bared her teeth at him. I don't need you to rescue me. She hoped he understood her message.He extended his arms to hold the pack at bay, and together they stood, waiting."Why don't you run, Royce?" she taunted. "I know how much you relish the chase.""Perhaps you've forgotten the rules of this game." He produced an amulet, thrusting it in her direction.But it had no effect, not even a tingle. "Would you like me to enlighten you on where you messed up?" Her voice had deepened even further.Royce fumbled with the amulet."You twisted a wolf spirit that already existed in this realm. You merged it with the Okami—my own wolf spirit. You took it, crushed it, tore it apart, but like a fool, you pieced it back together. Now, it and I are one once more. It belongs to me. I am... it. You hold no power over us."DeVayne underwent a transformation unlike any natural werewolf. H
"No bells ringing in that pretty head yet?" he taunted, coming to a halt. "Right here is where they snuffed out your life the first time." He jerked her arm and pulled her towards a small hideaway nestled within a well-groomed garden that bordered the edge of the forest. "And right here is where they brought you back to life."Flashes of bloodshed and torment exploded like fireworks behind her closed eyes."Anything coming back?" he probed."No," she fibbed, hiding the fragments of memories threatening to overwhelm her."Here," he forcefully dragged her towards the crumbling remains of what used to be a majestic country mansion. The dilapidated house cast a daunting shadow, its grandeur long faded. "This is where DeVayne's savage creatures had their way with you."The memories surged forth once more, and her body reacted to the recollection, even if her mind resisted acknowledging it."I bet you can feel it right now, their foul breath lingering on the back of your throat. Their claws
In the realm of slumber, Ava became acutely aware that she was ensconced in an extraordinary, lucid reverie. The world around her was awash with surreal hues and captivating textures, leaving no doubt that this was indeed a dream. Amidst this phantasmagorical landscape, her senses were stirred by an eerie presence hovering above her bed: a mysterious figure shrouded in a cloak. Ava was convinced that this could only be a figment of her dreaming mind.She felt as if she had slumbered for an eternity, her eyes encrusted with fine grains of sand, her body laden with weariness, and her lips tender and chafed, as if they had been the recipients of fervent kisses. The memory of the sugar statue came rushing back, and a sense of trepidation took hold. But the cloaked figure interrupted her train of thought, dismissing the concern with an enigmatic statement."No, fret not about him. He's inconsequential. It's only you, and me," the figure murmured, as his eyes were suddenly engulfed in dark
He didn't care about anyone's opinion, he didn't care if Westwood was furious, nothing mattered except Ava and Noah.As he stepped into Aphelion, gratitude flooded his heart for his family, his brothers, his pack. He couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to face DeVayne, Monk, and all the other looming threats alone. It would be like suffocating, like being submerged in a never-ending abyss.The moment he entered, Mrs. Westwood appeared by his side, her presence a comforting anchor. "Let's get her to your room," she said with urgency."It was DeVayne. He was here," Grayson revealed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and frustration."That's impossible," Mrs. Westwood replied, her brows furrowing in concern."And yet, he stood right in front of Gin, demanding Ava," Grayson confirmed, the memory seared into his mind.A crackle of lightning danced a
Grayson Redwood had always prided himself on his unwavering self-control. He mastered the art of maintaining his human facade, concealing the primal wolf within until the opportune moment arose. His expertise lay in communication, diplomacy, but when the time called for it, his ferocious teeth would be bared.However, upon witnessing the statue of Royce DeVayne positioned beside his mate's crumpled form, the warrior within Grayson erupted, tearing through his flesh to reveal his true form. Unexpectedly, it was Parker, his own brother, who interposed himself between Grayson and the exit of the sweet shop."Brother, hold on. Think," Parker implored, extending his hands as a gesture of peace.Grayson let out a deafening roar, but Parker refused to retreat. "Do you not see why he appeared here? To taunt you, to prove a point. What you must do now is attend to your mate. Bring her back to Aphelion, send Mrs. Westwood with Noa
"You're right," Gin agreed, savoring another cupcake. "Sorry, I tend to rely on sugar when I'm nervous.""It's your face. Fill it with whatever makes you happy," Ava assured her, harboring no judgment."He's the Watcher, right?" Gin inquired."That's my understanding. But he's not one of those who hurt you," Ava reassured her, trying to alleviate any lingering concerns."I'll go. I'll despise myself if I don't. It'll be that nagging voice in the back of my mind, reminding me of all the things I should have done but couldn't. It'll be the evidence that voice needs to convince me that I'm weak," Gin confessed, her voice tinged with vulnerability."You're not weak. You're incredible. Look at everything you've endured and all that you've accomplished. Here, have another cupcake," Ava encouraged, urging Gin to enjoy the sweet treat.Gin followed Ava's advice and s
"What is it?" Lenore inquired, her eyes focused on the path ahead."Noah. Grayson wants to send him to the Academy, and I... I don't know," Ava confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. A part of her secretly wished that Lenore would strongly oppose the idea, reassuring her that it was a terrible decision. She longed to keep her son close, feeling that five years old was much too young for him to be separated from her.But the truth was, Noah wasn't five anymore, was he?Lenore paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "If it were me, I would do it. I understand that you'll miss him tremendously, but the Academy is perhaps the safest place besides Aphelion. Plus, it would allow him to enjoy his childhood a little while longer," she offered.Ava sighed, her conflicted emotions evident. "I was hoping you would tell me it was a terrible idea."Lenore shook her head gently
Discovering Lenore in the midst of packing her equipment, Ava lunged forward and embraced her tightly."You're fortunate I heard you before you pounced!" Lenore playfully teased, returning the hug."I don't want you to leave," Ava murmured into Lenore's shoulder. "I know you have to, I know you will, but I don't want you to."Lenore soothingly rubbed her back. "It's going to be alright, Ava. Remember, I'm the infamous and intimidating Lenore Breslin. I'm so fearsome that your mate rushed to protect you when he saw me near Noah. They're all afraid of me. Even Peter.""That's what makes him even more dangerous. I just wish it didn't have to be you.""But it does, and that's alright," Lenore replied, breaking the hug. "This is what I'm meant to do.""Everything is changing so rapidly, but maybe it's meant to change," Ava pondered."I believe it is. And I'll let you in on a little secret that should bring some comfort. I have something special in my pocket," Lenore revealed.Ava cast her