Ava''s POV


    I stopped at my doorstep and turned to face Steven. He carried himself with that typical Morgan confidence-like the world was his yground and everyone else just lived in it. So different from what I was used to with Jackson, who''d barely wait for me to get out of sight before racing off, like spending an extra minute with me was torture.


    My thoughts drifted to ke. He always made sure I got inside safely before leaving. That night he lent me his Alpha cape, still warm from his body and smelling like him... If ke were standing here instead of Steven, would he-


    Damn it. The mark on my neck red hot, and I pushed the thought away. Thinking about ke while with another wolf? Bad move, Ava.


    “Thanks for the information about my father," I said, yanking myself back to reality.


    Steven smiled, moonlight catching his silver-gold hair. "Just the beginning. Shadow Creek''s power games run deeper than most realize."


    I nodded. "It could make all the difference for Dad."


    "So," Steven leaned closer, "tomorrow, after you finish with Lucas-want to check out Shadow Creek''s boundary? There''s an old tribal relic there that might Jhelp your father''s case."


    I frowned. "I''ve got Lucas in the morning, then Sarah to check on."


    "The days before full moon make hidden marks visible," he pressed, eyes bright with something between excitement and hope. "The ancestors left clues in stone that only show when the moon''s nearly full."


    If Steven had information that could help Dad, turning him down seemed foolish. But getting tangled with ke''s nephew? Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire.


    "Fine," I finally said, "but strictly for research."


    "Of course," he grinned, dimples forming that reminded me eerily of ke, though softer somehow. In my mind, ke was like granite-solid, unmovable, steady. Steven was more like running water-fluid, adaptive, but powerful in his own way. He moved forward so smoothly I didn''t have time to react. When his lips nearly touched mine, I turned my head instinctively. His kissnded on my cheek instead, his breath warm against my skin.


    The mark on my neck burned fiercely, like it was protesting the almost-kiss. The reaction confused me-it wasn''t loyalty to Jackson (that ship had sailed long ago), and it wasn''t just about Steven.


    "See you tomorrow, warrior girl," he said softly as he pulled back, disappointment shing across his face before his easy smile returned.


    "Tomorrow," I echoed, turning to unlock my door.


    Steven waited until I was inside before leaving. I leaned against the door, my chest tight with confusion. ke, Steven, Jackson-they were turning my life upside down.


    "Moon Goddess help me, I muttered, "Morgan men will be the death of me." I shook my head. "At least Lucas isn''t like this. One Morgan male who doesn''t make my head spin."


    Third Person POV


    As Ava disappeared inside, Dominic stepped from the shadows to join Steven. ''Got what you asked for,” he said quietly.


    ''Let''s hear it," Steven replied, though he already suspected the truth. Understanding Ava''s past was key to helping her-and to uncovering Shadow Creek''s corruption.


    It''s confirmed. Ava and Jackson Hayes are fated mates," Dominic said. "Tribal records show they discovered their bond after Ava''s maturity ceremony. Shadow Creek celebrated for days."


    Steven frowned. "What broke them apart? Fated bonds aren''t easily severed."


    "From what I found," Dominic''s voice dropped lower, "he met your cousin Sophia shortly after marking Ava,"


    "Sophia?" Steven''s brow furrowed. She was lovely, but worlds apart from Ava''s warrior spirit. Abandoning a fated mate vited one of their oldest traditions. "Doesn''t make sense, right?" Steven''s jaw tightened. "Dig deeper." "Records get murky," Dominic admitted. "But here''s something interesting: Jackson''s engagement to Sophia happened right after William Rivers'' treason usation. After that, Jackson became Shadow Creek''s Alpha heir frontrunner."


    Steven''s eyes shed as understanding dawned. Sophia was ke Morgan''s daughter-Alpha of Silverpeak and Alpha King himself. Jackson wanted Shadow Creek''s Alpha position, and the Morgan family''s backing would make him untouchable.


    "Trading his fated mate for power," Steven said, disgust evident in his voice. "Spitting on our most sacred bond."


    "There''s more," Dominic added. "William''s case was rushed through. Evidence suppressed, witnesses silenced. The investigation was led by Richard Hayes- Jackson''s father."


    Steven''s expression hardened. This wasn''t just about an abandoned mate anymore. It was conspiracy. Ava and her father were pawns sacrificed in a power


    y.


    "Does Ava know the full story?" Steven asked. "Does Sophia realize she''s just a piece in Jackson''s game?"


    "Doubtful," Dominic shook his head. "The Hayes family buried these connections deep."


    Steven fell silent. Telling Sophia outright would hurt an innocent girl. And Ava clearly had her ownplicated feelings-especially that unmistakable pull toward ke.


    "Keep looking," he finally decided. "I need more proof before acting. Meanwhile, I''ll help Ava find the truth.


    The next evening, Lucas burst into ckwood Manor''s kitchen, sweat-drenched from training. Sophia sat eating moonberries while Jackson looked over wedding ns beside her.


    Things had been tense between themtely. Sophia had noticed Jackson''s fixation on Ava, but he always had ready exnations-concerns about Lucas''s safety, studying Ava''sbat techniques for Shadow Creek''s warriors. After a few ufortable conversations, Sophia chose to believe him. The uing wedding had her overwhelmed anyway.


    "Learn anything cool today?" Sophia asked, passing Lucas some fruit.


    "Ava taught me this awesome counter move!" Lucas took a big bite. "We finished early though. She''s got ns tonight.*


    Jackson set down the papers he''d been reviewing. "What ns?" His voice aimed for casual but missed.


    "Something about checking out old tribal markers with Steven," Lucas said between bites. "Stuff that only shows up near full moon. Sounds pretty cool!"


    Sophía brightened. "Steven''s always loved those old legends. I''m d he found someone to share that with. They seem good together."


    Jackson''s eyes darkened momentarily before he controlled his expression. "Does ke know about this little expedition?"


    Lucas shrugged. "Dad''s not back yet. Steven said he''d tell him." A mischievous grin spread across his face. "Though Dad gets weird about Ava stufftely. Who knows how he''ll take it?"


    "Need to use the bathroom," Jackson stood abruptly. "Back in a minute." After leaving, Jackson headed straight for the main hall, nostrils ring slightly as he tried to catch Ava''s scent. Too faint-she must have already left. "Looking for someone?" A northern-ented voice cut through the silence. Jackson turned to find Steven leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "None of your business," Jackson said coldly.


    "When I know who you''re looking for, it bes my business," Steven pushed off the wall and approached. "Tell me, Hayes, how did it feel abandoning your fated mate for a political marriage?"


    "What the hell are you talking about?" Jackson red, though his heart raced.


    Stevenughed coldly. "Drop the act. Did you think your secret would stay buried forever?" He stepped closer, voice dropping. ''Does Sophia know? Does she