137


    "Have a good night,"n said with a soft tone.


    Ava lowered her head and made her way to the front door of her house.


    In the middle of the way, she stopped beside Stephen.


    Stephen''s steps came to a halt as he looked at Ava.


    She gave her a pleading look.


    "I am sorry, Steph. I know you care about me. You must be really worried. But..."


    She paused and turned her head to nce atn, who was leaning against his


    car.


    She returned her gaze back to Stephen and continued,


    "I had to go to him. It was really important."


    Stephen stared at her for a while. Then he let out a sigh and nodded at her.


    "I hope you have solved everything."


    She smiled at him and nodded her head in response.


    Stephen patted her head and said,


    "I am happy that you are safe. Though when I heard his voice on the phone, I was rxed. No one can hurt you when he himself is with you.''


    Ava looked away from him and agreed with his words. Ian was the future Alpha of this pack. So he was the safest person in the whole pack.


    After talking with her brother, Ava walked past him and headed to the house again.


    When Stephen saw her go inside the house, he turned ton.


    "She''s gone."


    Stephen''s brows shot up as he stared atn''s good mood.


    "Bro, we lost the championship. Have you forgotten that?"


    "You don''t like seeing me happy, do you?"


    "No, that''s not the case. But how can you be so rxed? Because of you, we lost the game."


    "I just tried to prove my love, you know."


    "By wasting our so many years of hard work?"


    137


    "I am really sorry, Steph. I know what I did was wrong. I did something really selfish. This is not what a captain or leader should do. I don''t know what has gotten over me. At the time, all I wanted was to grant her wish, even if it meant losing in front of someone else."


    Stephen raised his hand and put it onn''s shoulder. "I think you should talk to others as well. You know the situation. Their anger is valid."


    "What about her?" Stephen asked while motioning his head to the house.


    "She loves me."


    "Did she say that to you?"


    "Hmm."


    Stephen was surprised. He thought Ava went ton to apologize. He could not believe that his little sister had finally gotten some brain and confessed to the right man who deserved her.


    "That''s why you look thrilled."


    "Yeah, bro."


    While he was driving, his mind kept reying the kiss between him and Ava.


    Her voice was screaming in his head, telling him that she loved him.


    Since he was in a great mood, he turned the wheels and went for a long drive. He


    was thinking about how slowly he should take steps with her.


    After the long drive and refreshed mood, he went to the pack house.


    When he entered the pack house, he noticed his parents were sitting in the living room, just like other days.


    He slowed down his steps while looking at them.


    His mother, Carolina, stood up and walked toward him.


    n."


    She approached him and held his hand. "My son, where were you? We were so worried. Why did you turn off your phone?",


    "I am okay, Mom," he replied.


    He nced at his father, who was staring at him with a gloomy mood.


    "Mom, I am going to my room."


    As he took a step forward, his father, Alpha Martin, got up from the couch.


    "You can''t do one thing right. I wonder how you will run this pack."


    137


    Alpha Martin came toward him and stopped in front of him. He grabbedn''s jaw lightly and lifted it up. Observing his face, he asked,


    "Why are you avoiding my gaze? You don''t look like this at other times. Are you afraid of facing humiliations?"


    "You could not even win a basketball championship. How would you win a pack during a war?"


    His father''s words stung his heart. He looked away from his father and muttered,


    "Time will tell."


    His father released his jaw and sneered at him.


    "Young people''s blood is very hot. But your achievements rather than your lofty rhetoric-justify your actual ability. Today, you lost it."


    Luna Carolina grabbed her husband''s hand and said,


    "Martin-"


    Alpha Martin red at her to cut her off. Ian noticed it and closed his eyes tightly


    in anger.


    He would have to bear his father''s insults now, which he disliked the most. He shrugged his shoulders and said,


    "What does my basketball match do with you? You didn''te to watch it anyway."


    Alpha Martin frowned at him. "You wanted me toe and watch your match? What did you n to make me feel? Embarrassment from others'' parents whose sons won the match?"


    "You both calm down. And Martin, please. Let our son take his time. He must be very upset."


    Alpha Martin raised a brow. "Upset? He doesn''t look upset at all. It seems he came back after wasting himself somewhere."


    behind.


    "You are good for nothing. So now nothing will go with your choice. I have chosen


    a girl for you. You will have to meet her tom-"


    "Neither of you should be concerned. Because I have found my Luna." 1