Chapter 35: Challenging the Guards


    Ava''s POV


    "Girls day out..." she repeated thoughtfully, her voice growing softer, "That sounds nice. I''ve never had anything like that. I guess I''ve never really had true friends to do that kind of thing with. Being an Alpha''s daughter, my social circle has always been... specific."


    1 couldn''t help raising an eyebrow, finding it hard to believe this Silverpeak princess had never had friends, considering she was Sophia Morgan, possessing everything I had once yearned for-status, wealth, family, even the man I''d once thought destined to be mine.


    "You''ve never had friends?" E asked directly what I was thinking, skepticism evident in her tone.


    Sophia shrugged casually, but a sh of sadness crossed her face, the pain looking so genuine that I almost believed her. "Not real ones, no. People see the Alpha''s daughter, not me. They want connections, favors, power... nobody sees just Sophia."


    She bit her lip, looking down at the ground, suddenly appearing vulnerable, like any lonely girl craving genuine connection. That moment of vulnerability surprised me. An Alpha''s daughter, future Luna of a powerful pack, showing such a lonely expression.


    I looked at E again, who shook her head almost imperceptibly-clearly unwilling to spend time with Jackson''s fiancée. I understood her concerns; after all, Sophia represented everything that had taken my life away. Besides, we were here on a mission, not to make friends


    I grabbed E''s arm and turned back to Sophia, trying to sound polite but firm: "It was nice seeing you, Sophia, but we have some things to take care of, so we should get going."


    "Oh." Sophia''s voice carried obvious disappointment, her expression momentarily dimming. "Of course. Everyone always has somewhere more important to br. Maybe... see you around sometime?"


    1 nodded acknowledgment without making any promises and quickly pulled E away. Though I didn''t look back, I could feel Sophia''s gaze following us like an invisible dagger in my back


    That was painfully awkward," E muttered when we entered an herb shop, sarcasmcing her voice. Poor little princess in her golden tower, so alone with ell her money, power, and your ex-mate. My heart bleeds."


    "I know, right?" I responded shortly, but inwardly I wasn''t as certain. That moment


    of vulnerability had looked incredibly genuine, almost making me empathize—after all, I knew what loneliness felt like. But regardless, Sophia Morgan wasn''t my friend; she was Jackson''s fiancée, representing opposing


    forces.


    We spent the entire afternoon browsing the trading area, trying to forget the mkward encounter. E shopped for her sister''s birthday gift, constantlyparing prices and quality across various stalls before finally settling on a silver amulet iid with a ruby, engraved with Tiffany''s name and the pack protection spell. The shopkeeper engraved her name on the spot, the ruby glinting in the sunlight like a drop of crystallized blood.


    "Thanks for not ditching


    and reassuring.


    g me for the princess," E said as she walked me home that evening, hugging me goodbye at my door, her body warmthforting


    "As if I''d ever," I replied, feeling tired but grateful. "Friends since pup training, remember? That''s forever in my book."


    She smiled as she released me, friendship shining in her eyes. "Hit me up afterbat ss tomorrow? We could try those new throwing techniques Tyler was showing the Betas."


    "I''m in," I nodded, watching her leave before turning to enter my dark, quiet house.


    Since Dad was taken away, the house had be unnaturally silent, like a tomb awaiting a storm. I checked on Sarah, gently knocking before entering her room. Shey on the bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling, barely registering my presence.


    "Hey, Mom," I called softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I brought those berry tarts you used to love. Maybe try a few bites?"


    She just shook her head slightly, not even looking at me. This had gone on too long: if she was still like this tomorrow, I might need to call a doctor for a home visit. She couldn''t continue like this-she was growing thinner by the day, and I felt powerless.


    After dinner, E contacted me through our mindlink, her voice echoing in my head,


    "Ive been thinking about Sarah. What if you went straight to the source? Your dad probably knows how to reach her through their bond, even sep


    even separated."


    It was a good idea, though I wasn''t sure if I was ready to face the reality of his imprisonment. Thest time I tried to visit, the guards wouldn''t even let me through the door, citing "special instructions. But that was before I earned my Honor medal. Things were different now.


    sapter 35 Challenging the Guards


    The next day after school, I decided to try again. Whatever happened, I needed to do something for Sarah. So I went directly to the Shadow Creek prison, that ancient stone building at the edge of the pack territory, surrounded by silver grass to suppress werewolf abilities.


    "ess denied, Rivers, a guard at the prison''s front entrance said, arms crossed over his chest, expression hard as granite.


    I frowned, looking at him in confusion. I''m here to see my father during standard visiting hours. What''s the problem?"


    The guard''s brow furrowed deeper as he looked at his clipboard, then shook his head, his expression resolute.


    "Direct orders from above. No contact between William Rivers and his daughter. Don''t make me say it twice, kid.


    I clenched my jaw and pulled out my Honor medal, letting it gleam in the sunlight. "This medal grants me ess to all pack facilities, including prison visiting atras, Check your rule book, guard. Or should I quote section twelve for you?" The guard clearly recognized the medal but still shook his head. Tules change when Alphas say they do. Medal or not, you''re not getting through these


    I was about to protest when another voice rang out from behind me, clear and authoritative.


    By whose authority are you


    are you blocking an Honor Medal holder? I''d love to know which Alpha thinks they can override the sacred traditions of our people.


    I turned around, surprised to see Sophia standing there, arms scrossed over her chest, her expression fierce. Her golden hair shimmered in the afternoon sun, the natural authority of an Alpha family radiating from her.


    "Tell me, guard, does a daughter not have the right to see her father? Or has Shadow Creek abandoned even the most basic wolf principles?" she dechanded, her voice cutting through the air like a steel de.


    Chapter


    Vader


    Definitely like Sophia more as a friend than I do E. Sophia ispletely in the dark about what''s going on so she can''t be held ountable for it


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