Chapter 34: Girls Day Out


    Ava''s POV


    I rushed to adjust my simple warrior training gear in the mirror, the mark on my neck radiating warmth beneath my cor. I carefully made sure the silver- and gold interwoven pattern stayedpletely hidden-no need for unwanted attention. E''s familiar whistle drifted through the window, signaling her arrival. 1 stuffed the Honor medal into my pocket, making sure I had my wallet-though it contained next to nothing.


    Before leaving. I gave a reassuring pat to the small dagger tucked into my boot. In this world, a wolf warrior never goes anywherepletely defenseless.


    "Coming!" I called out, casting onest nce at my foster mother Sarah''s firmly closed door with a sigh. She''d barely left that rooms since William was taken.


    E leaned against a pine tree outside, dressed in casual warrior clothes with definitely a few weapons stashed in her hidden pockets. Her face broke into bright smile when she saw me.


    "Ready to hunt for treasures and trouble?" she asked, high-fiving me in greeting. "Northern tribe merchants are swarming the Trading Zone today. Perfect timing."


    We followed the forest path toward the trading area, trees casting dappled shadows in the sunshine. The air smelled of pine resin and wildflowers, a temporary escape from our troubles


    “How''s Sarah holding up?” E asked carefully, jumping over a fallen log across the path.


    I bit my lip and shook my head. "She''s fading a little more each day. Barely cats, won''t leave her room. It''s like watching someone slowly disappear."


    "The mate bond is brutal when broken," E said softly, her voice respectful and sympathetic.


    I nodded to confirm. "Yes. I don''t me her for being miserable. I just wish there was something I could do to help. Fated mates being forcibly separated... that kind of pain is unimaginable to regr wolves."


    E squeezed my arm in sympathy. "We''ll find a way to help both of them. Today might bring answers. These Northern merchants gossip like old women over Tea- someone knows something useful.


    As we crossed an open stretch, the Trading Zone entrance marker came into view-a massive wooden arch carved with the totems of all the major packs, marking this as neutral territory. Two guards with neutral badges stood at the entrance, checking everyone''s pack identification.


    We presented our Shadow Creek tribal passes, and the guards nodded us through. Inside, the trading area buzzed with activity, stalls disying goods from different packs-rare herbs from the North, exquisite weapons from the West, mysterious rune stones from the South, and delicate crafts from the East,


    "So what''s our actual target here?" I asked, scanning the bustling marketce, instinctively noting possible escape routes and hiding spots.


    E''s face lit up with excitement. "My sister Tiffany ising back next month for her birthday. She''s throwing one of her famous penthouse parties. I need a gift that won''t embarrass me in front of her fancy friends."


    "Tiffany''s still dominating the human modeling world?" I asked, remembering how E asionally mentioned her sessful sister.


    E nodded. "Queen of the runway. Multiple mansions, celebrity friends, the works, But she never misses full moon festival. Says the human world has nothing on Moonlight Lodge gatherings."


    I could hear theplex emotions in E''s voice-pride mixed with a hint of jealousy. Tiffany seemed to effortlessly get everything she wanted, leaving E both proud and somewhat lost in her shadow.


    "While we re here, we should find something decent for you to wear, E continued, pulling me toward a fabric stall. "You need toe with me to this party. Northern pack elders will be crawling all over the ce-perfect for digging up dirt on your dad''s case."


    I frowned, instinctively touching my nearly empty wallet. "Myst coins went to bribing that drunk Northern betast week. I''ve got nothing left for fancy


    E made an exaggerated pleading face, eyes wide. "Ava, this matters for both of us. Many Northern pack bigwigs will be there, and you need to look like a warrior with status if you want them to talk to you,"


    I shook my head, my tone firm. "I''d rather spend myst dor on silver bullets than party clothes. My priorities are clear-Dades first."


    We used several stalls when my attention was caught by a Northern merchant selling wolf herbs. Just as I was about to approach him to ask if he knew


    Chapter 34 Girls Day Out


    anything about the Northern border situation, E suddenly froze, her fingers digging into my arms, her gaze locked ahead.


    "Wolf shat," I followed her line of sight and my heart sank


    Sophia Morgan was walking out of a wolf-hide craft shop, carrying several elegantly wrapped packages. She wore simple but elegant casual clothes, her golden hair braided intricately, perfectly showcasing her Alpha family''s elegant bloodline. Sunlight seemed to give her an almost ethereal glow,


    "Ava, is that you?" She spotted us and her face lit up with a genuine smile, her voice gentle as a spring breeze.


    "Sophia," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady while my woll''s ears perked up in alertness. “I didn''t expect to see you here."


    "Oh, I''m just picking up some things for the uing wedding," she disyed her shopping bags traditional elements. Jackson thinks we should honor both packs traditions."


    s with undisguised joy in her voice. "Incorporating some


    At the mention of Jackson''s name, my mark stung slightly, that familiar sense of betrayal washing over me again. I adjusted my cor instinctively, making sure the mark stayedpletely covered.


    Sophia''s gaze shifted to E, curiosity and friendliness in her eyes. "And who is this? Have we met before?"


    I felt myself growing inexplicably protective, somehow worried that Sophia might take an interest in E, just as Jackson had "taken" everything that was once mine. The protective instinct was almost primal, though rationally I knew it was absurd.


    "This is


    is my best friend, E West, I introduced briefly, my tone carrying a hint of defensiveness.


    Sophia extended her hand gracefully. "Pleased to meet y Hayes."


    you, E. I''m Sophia Morgan, daughter of ke Morgan, Alpha of Silverpeak, and fiancée to-Jackson


    E hesitated before taking her hand, and I could feel her entire body tensing, her scent broadcasting difort and wariness. "Charmed, I''m sure," her tone as brittle as thin ice.


    Sophia either didn''t notice (or chose to ignore) E''s difort. "What brings you two here? Catching the Northern trading day?"


    I nced at Ells, who shrugged slightly, her eyes wary, as if saying "this is your mess, you handle it."


    "We''re just browsing the t


    trading area." I answered, keeping my tone neutral, revealing nothing of our true purpose.


    E added, “Sort of a girls'' day out." Her tone remained guarded, afraid of revealing our real intentions.


    Something shed in Sophia''s eyes that I couldn''t quite interpret-longing? Envy? Loneliness? Her scent suddenly became moreplex.


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