A letter from the past

Ava Rossi - POV

“I think my invitation must have been missed in the mail,” I told Jacob, and I noticed the flash of anger on his face. But at that moment, I didn’t care. He had used me for his pleasure and then discarded me like trash.

“You were never going to be the Luna of this pack,” he spat, and the smile on my face faded, replaced by a cold chill that ran down my spine.

“Then why on earth did you even claim that you loved me, Jacob? Why did you chase after me when I insisted this wouldn’t work out?” My voice rose in pitch, fueled by a mix of hurt and anger. A sarcastic smile crept across his lips, twisting my insides.

“You're only a rogue. A nobody, powerless in front of a pack wolf. You have no connection to this pack, and it was your mistake to foolishly believe I would make you my Luna.” His words cut through my heart like a knife, but I remained rooted to the spot, refusing to back down.

“You should have paid heed to your mother’s words last year,” he mocked, and my hands curled into fists, trembling with rage and pain.

“I hate you,” I growled, the words slipping out like venom. He let out a humorless laugh that twisted my stomach.

“I don’t care what you think of me. All I saw in you was a pretty face, and I just took advantage of it.” I couldn’t take it anymore. I stepped closer and raised my hand to slap him, but he was faster, gripping my wrist midair and roughly pulling me closer.

My heart raced as I felt my blood run cold, his breath mingling with mine. No one was around us anymore, and I knew that no one would care if he killed me right then and there, because, after all, I was just a rogue. “Rogues like you shouldn’t have this much anger in them, Ava,” he said in a low, menacing tone, tightening his grip until tears pooled in the corners of my eyes. “Now, I want you to leave my pack and don’t show your fucking face again, got it?”

I remained silent, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

He pushed me back roughly, and I stumbled to the floor. “You will regret this, Jacob,” I sneered, defiance bubbling within me as I locked eyes with him.

“What can a rogue like you do to me? I could kill you in a second, and no one would question my decision. Leave before I follow through with my promise,” he threatened, turning to walk toward the French doors.

Just before he stepped inside, he glanced at the bouquet of wild flowers I had brought him. Without a second thought, he crushed it underfoot, and the sight of my gesture, once filled with love, reduced to nothing, shattered my heart.

“Ma’am, you need to leave the pack before we arrest you for trespassing,” a warrior said, approaching me as I got up and dusted off my clothes. I nodded numbly, beginning to walk back toward the pack house.

As I reached the foyer, I saw a few guests lingering there, looking at me with disgust and disdain. I didn’t dare say a word; I simply walked out of the pack house and headed back into the forest. The walk back to the border felt interminably long, a heavy weight pressing down on my heart.

When I finally reached the border, I realized no one was there to see me cross it. Stepping out of the forest and onto the road felt surreal, the cool air a stark contrast to the warmth of my earlier anger.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to do now. Jacob was right; I had no family to call my own, and I couldn’t even afford to pay for college. I looked down the empty road as I began walking toward the human town where I lived. It was a thirty-minute walk, and I could see the houses and shops in the distance as I quickened my pace.

Looking up at the night sky, I noticed the full moon hanging brightly, and a smile appeared on my face. Each time I looked at the moon, it brought me a sense of peace, and I felt my mother’s presence, guiding me through my darkest moments. I continued walking until I spotted a small two-story white house coming into view. The paint was peeling off the walls, and the windows looked like they would shatter at any moment.

I climbed the two stairs and pulled out my key, unlocking the door and stepping inside. The house felt empty, echoing my own sense of loss, and I trudged upstairs to my room. It had been a year since my mother died in a car crash, and since then, I had been working three jobs to pay the rent and buy food. But it wasn’t enough, and I couldn’t continue living like this anymore.

As I opened my bedroom door, my eyes landed on a pile of unopened letters on the bed. Bills were piling up, and I knew Jacob would only try to make my life harder from now on. Moreover, there was nothing left for me in this town.

I made my way to my small cupboard and opened it, rummaging through my clothes until I finally found the envelope I had been looking for. Tears welled in my eyes as I remembered a fond memory that I still held dear.

I was running late for my shift at the diner when Mom called out for me to have breakfast. “Ava, you need to eat something before you go!” she shouted from the kitchen. I rushed in, but she shook her head and placed a plate of pancakes on the table.

“Eat. I know you’ll only starve yourself,” she said, a teasing smile lighting up her face. I sat down, grateful for her insistence. I was almost done when I noticed her placing something next to me.

“What is this, Mom?” I asked, staring at the envelope.

“This is my savings,” she replied, her voice soft.

“Why are you giving this to me?” I questioned, puzzled.

“Well, I guess I was wrong about Jacob,” she said, raising an eyebrow at me.

“I’m happy that you finally accept him, but what is this?” I asked, intrigued.

As I reached for the envelope, she stopped me. “You might have your Luna ceremony soon. I want you to buy the most beautiful dress there is.”

“But Mom, I can’t spend this money on a dress I’ll only wear once. You know this could help us with our bills, and—” She placed her finger on my lips, silencing me.

“This is for your dress, Ava. And I don’t want you to use this for anything else, do you understand?” she asked, her eyes serious yet filled with love. I nodded as I pulled her into a hug, feeling warm and safe in her embrace.

Now, as I held the same envelope in my hand, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. I opened it, revealing the money inside, but I also found a small note from my mother. “You are stronger than you think, Ava. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

With tears streaming down my face, I realized I had to make a choice. I had to reclaim my strength and carve out my own path. Jacob would not define me. I would not let his cruel words dictate my worth.

Taking a deep breath, I wiped my tears and tucked the envelope away. I had a plan, a way to use my mother’s savings for my future. It was time to take control of my life, I am done trying to please others.