Ava''s POV


    1 paced at the edge of ckwood Manor''s training grounds, digging my nails into my palms to keep my wolf in check. Every pulse of anger threatened to push ws through my fingertips Jackson had won this round that smug disy with the Eternal Loyalty ring was calcted to cut me where it hurt most.


    The centuries-old tradition wasn t lost on me, Wolves only gave that ring once in their lifetime. Id watched my mother trace her finger over my father''s matching band countless times, the symbol of their unbreakable bond Now I''d have to stomach seeing it on Sophia''s hand at every pack gathering, a constant reminder that Jackson had saved it for someone worthier."


    I inhaled deeply, willing my ws to stay put. Shifting on Silverpeak territory out of rage? Not the smartest move,


    ''You''reing back tomorrow, right?"


    Lucas voice yanked me back to reality. He stood a few feet away, Hunter shadowing him like a furry bodyguard, those golden eyes locked on me with unsettling focus.


    I dropped to one knee, meeting him at eye level. "Course I am. If your dad''s cool with it."


    Will you show me how to talk to real wolves? His face lit up, practically vibrating with excitement. "Like you said?"


    Something warm bloomed in my chest despite everything. This serious little kid with his desperate need to prove himself was worming his way into my heart at record speed.


    "I will, I promised. "But basics first, remember? Your dad''s three month no fancy stuff rule is still on."


    Lucas scrunched his nose but nodded. ''Fine. Just don''t bail like everyone else."


    "Not going anywhere, I said, surprised by how much I meant it.


    "Lucas, Wilson''s looking for you."


    ke''s voice carried across the yard without him needing to raise it just pure Alpha authority wrapped in those few words. His scent reached me before he did, that now-familiar mix of pine and storm clouds.


    "But Dad Lucas started.


    "Now, Lucas. ke''s tone left zero wiggle room. Finish your studies. Ava will be back tomorrow."


    Lucas sighed dramatically in that universal kidnguage of protest. "Tomorrow?" "Tomorrow, I confirmed with a firm nod.


    Hunter gave my hand a quick lick-still weird-before trotting after Lucas toward the main house.


    1 turned to ke, my mark warming slightly as our eyes met. "Should probably head out," I said, carefully avoiding Jackson''s re from across the yard. "Thanks for the job, Alpha King. We could maybe set up a time to talk about Lucas''s training? I can sign that Blood Oath when I''m back on my turf."


    ke watched me, face unreadable. "Wilson has your address. I''ll send someone."


    "Father, why not have someone escort Ava home?'' Sophia appeared beside us,


    all sunshine and good intentions, "She walked here, didn''t she?"


    I caught Jackson watching us, his expression stormy as a hurricane.


    That''s really not- I started quickly.


    "Yes, my warrior chief will escort her, ke cut in, surprising me.


    Our eyes locked, and something electric passed between us.


    "Actually, I''ll take her myself, he added. "We have matters to discuss."


    I opened my mouth to protest, but ke''s eyes shed that unmistakable Alpha gold that said arguing was pointless, I shut my mouth and nodded.


    Flead to


    Perfect pha pped her hands together liguly Lovely meeting yon, Ava. Hope we can be friends anon. I''m dying for some real girl time smund here.


    I haved a smile and abled, though bing besties with Jacksons fiancée ranked somewhere between getting a treath pulled and swimming in silver dust


    on my to do list still, het warmth seemed genuine, and pissing off the daughter of the only man who might save my dad wasn''t exactly strategie


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