Ava''s POV


    "Dance with me?" Steven''s voice was moremand than question, his hand extended toward me with confidence.


    I hesitated. Dancing meant closer contact-something I''d been actively avoiding all evening. But the information he''d shared about Dad was valuable, and abruptly ending our meeting might cut off future insights.


    "I don''t really dance," I admitted. "I didn''t realize wolves indulged in such human entertainment."


    "Northern wolves believebat and dancing share the same soul," he insisted, hand still extended. "Consider it warrior training."


    I sighed and took his offered hand. "One dance. Then I need to head back."


    He guided me to the small dance floor where other couples moved to the soft strings of a quartet. His hand settled at my waist, firm but careful, as if testing boundaries.


    "Just follow my lead," he murmured, pulling me closer than necessary. "Like fighting, but with rhythm."


    To my surprise, my body responded naturally to his movements. Years ofbat had taught me bnce and quick adaptation. Steven''s eyebrows raised slightly as I kept pace with him.


    "A natural," hemented, eyes never leaving mine.


    "Training transfers," I replied, keeping my tone neutral despite our proximity.


    As he turned me in a slow circle, my gaze drifted across the room-and froze on two familiar faces.


    Sophia and Jackson sat at a table near the far wall. She wasughing at something he''d said, her golden hair catching the candlelight. He was leaning close to her, the picture of devoted fiancé.


    My spine stiffened. Of all the ces, all the nights... what were they doing here?


    “I need to go,” I said abruptly, pulling away from Steven.


    "What''s wrong?" His eyes followed my gaze. "Ah. The happy couple."


    Before I could retreat, Sophia looked up and spotted us. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she lifted her hand in greeting.


    "Toote, Steven murmured. "They''ve seen us."


    I forced my feet to move as Steven guided me toward their table, his hand resting lightly at the small of my back. My mind raced for exnations. This wasn''t supposed to happen.


    "Ava?" Sophia''s voice held surprise. "I didn''t expect to see you here."


    I managed a tight smile. "Just discussing some... training matters."


    Her eyes flickered between Steven and me, curiosity evident. "At Moon Lake?"


    *Best salmon in three territories, Steven interjected smoothly, his arm sliding around my shoulders with casual possessiveness. Thought I''d show Ava some northern hospitality."


    Sophia nodded politely. "I see. Her expression was carefully neutral, though something knowing flickered in her eyes.


    Jackson remained silent, his gaze steady on me. Nothing in his expression betrayed his thoughts, but the slight tension in his shoulders told me enough.


    I wouldn''t call it - I began.


    "We''re enjoying each other''spany, Steven cut in. "Sometimes the most interesting wolves appear when you least expect them."


    I wanted to correct him, to rify this was purely about getting information, but something about the situation made me hold my tongue.


    "Well, don''t let us interrupt your evening." Sophia said diplomatically. ''It''s nice to see you both."


    Jackson finally spoke, his voice measured. "Interesting choice of venue for discussing training."


    ,


    The subtle implication hung in the air, but his tone remained conversational.


    "We should let you enjoy your meal," I said, eager to escape this awkward encounter. "We were just leaving, actually."


    "So soon?" Sophia asked, her tone polite but not pressing.


    Othermitments," Steven replied smoothly. “But it was lovely seeing you both.”


    As we turned to leave, I felt Jackson''s eyes following us. We made our way toward the exit, Steven''s hand still at my back, guiding me through the crowded


    room.


    I couldn''t help ncing back onest time. Jackson had leaned close to say something to Sophia, his expression unreadable. Whatever path I''d chosen tonight, there would be consequences tomorrow.


    Third Person POV


    Jackson didn''t hear a word Sophia was saying as she discussed wedding arrangements. His attention remained fixed on the retreating figures of Ava and Steven.


    He hadn''t expected to see her tonight, especially not with ke''s nephew. The sight of her in that elegant dress, moving with practiced grace across the dance floor, had awakened something he thought safely buried.


    "You''re distracted, Sophia observed quietly, following his gaze.


    "Just surprised," he replied,posing his features. "Didn''t think Ava was the Moon Lake type."


    Sophia studied him for a moment. "She and Steven seemed...fortable together."


    "Your cousin should be more selective about his associates," Jackson said carefully, taking a sip of wine. "Given his position."


    "I think Ava is perfectly respectable, Sophia countered mildly. "Father hired her himself."


    She paused, watching Jackson''s face with unexpected attentiveness. "You seem unusually interested in her. Is there something I should know about you two?" Jackson nearly choked on his wine, quickly recovering with a practiced smile. "Of course not. I''m simply concerned about who influences Lucas''s training."


    "Hmm, Sophia hummed nomittally, clearly not entirely convinced. "It''s just that whenever we see her, you get this look. Almost like you knew her before." *Shadow Creek isn''t that big," Jackson deflected smoothly. "Most wolves cross paths eventually."


    Sophia seemed to ept this exnation, but a seed of doubt had clearly been nted.


    Jackson merely nodded, not trusting himself to speak further on the subject. His wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, unsettled by the evening''s unexpected turn.


    It shouldn''t matter. He''d made his choice when he''d epted Sophia''s hand in marriage. The path to Alpha statos required sacrifice.


    But he''d never intended for Ava to move on. She was meant to remain avable- waiting-for when he eventually imed her. Having her appear with a Morgan wolfplicated matters considerably.


    Later, as their carriage rolled through moonlit forests, Jackson found himself nning his next moves. Ava belonged in his future ns-on his terms. And nothing, not even a Morgan wolf, would stand in his way.


    Meanwhile, on the road back to Ava''s home, Steven sat silently in the carriage, watching her profile in the moonlight. Seeing Jackson''s reaction to Ava had raised questions-the possessiveness in the other wolf''s eyes seemed excessive for someone who was merely his fiancée''s father''s employee.


    There was history there. Something unspoken.


    While Ava gazed out the window, lost in thought, Steven opened a mindlink with his Beta.


    "Dom, I need you to find out everything about Ava and Jackson," he sent through the link. “Their connection seems...plicated."


    "On it, came the immediate response. "Anything specific I should look for?" "The way he looked at her tonight-like she belonged to him. Find out why." "Consider it done. By the way, your uncle''s going to have your hide for this." Steven closed the link with a slight smile. "Some things are worth the risk."


    He turned his attention back to Ava, studying her thoughtful expression. Whatever secretsy between her and Jackson, he intended to uncover them all. Not just for his historical records, but because the woman herself had captured his interest in a way few ever had.


    ke''s disapproval was merely an obstacle to ovee. And Steven had never been one to back down from a challenge.


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