The other woman

Ava Rossi - POV

Enzo led me to a quiet corner of the ballroom, away from the swirling lights and the laughter that echoed through the room. He pulled out a chair for me, and I was surprised by his gesture but I didn’t comment. “Thank you,” I said softly, allowing myself to sink into the plush seat beside him.

“I thought you wouldn’t come,” he remarked, a hint of disappointment lacing his words as two omegas approached our table, placing beautifully arranged dishes before us. The aroma wafted through the air, but I could hardly focus on the food.

“You’ve done so much for me; I couldn’t possibly not come after you insisted,” I replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask. Enzo’s smile in return was warm, yet I could sense the weight of the pack members' eyes upon me. They were like shadows, whispering their judgments, but I didn’t dare look up. Instead, I slowly began to eat, my heart racing in my chest.

As I took a bite, the stares began to waver, and I felt a momentary relief wash over me. But then, Enzo’s voice broke through the quiet. “So, do you like the dress?” His gaze was steady, searching my face for a sign of approval.

A soft smile crept onto my lips. “You have good taste,” I said, feeling a flutter of warmth in my chest. Just then, I noticed Gabriel striding toward us, and my heart sank as I saw the beautiful woman at his side, her smile radiant and confident. Enzo’s demeanor shifted instantly; he stood up, and I followed suit, uncertainty gripping me.

“Enzo, it’s been a while,” the woman exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she completely ignored my presence.

“What are you doing here, Anna?” Enzo’s voice was low and tense, a storm brewing beneath his surface.

“Gabriel invited me to this ball. I thought it would be the perfect place to announce our engagement to the pack,” she declared, and my heart plummeted. Anna was Enzo’s fiancée? Was that why the pack members had stared at me with such disdain? Did they believe I was here to steal their alpha?

“Gabriel, what is this?” Enzo’s voice rose, anger and disbelief mingling in his tone, while Gabriel’s eyes were fixed on me, filled with a mixture of emotions I couldn’t quite decipher.

“We’ve talked about this, Enzo. This was already arranged,” Gabriel replied, his voice steady, but I could sense the tension between the two men.

“Who is she, Enzo?” Anna asked, her voice breaking the mounting tension, eyes flashing with anger while her smile remained firmly in place.

“She is my guest,” he said firmly, almost defensively.

“Guests are supposed to be seated with other pack members, not with the alpha,” Anna retorted, a sharp edge to her words.

“I’m sorry; I’ll get going now,” I said, my heart racing as I turned to leave. But before I could slip away, Enzo’s strong hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me close.

“She is more than a guest to me,” Enzo declared, his voice fierce, and I felt Anna’s fury radiate from her.

“What? Are you going to say that she’s going to be the Luna of this pack?” she mocked, her tone dripping with disdain. The tension in the air thickened, and I felt trapped in a web of drama I never wanted to be part of. I tried to move, but Enzo’s grip held me firmly in place.

“I’ve told you before, Anna. I don’t like you, and you will never be my mate or Luna,” Enzo snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a knife, causing Anna’s smile to falter.

“You only have a few months left as alpha of this pack, Enzo. Think wisely; no woman would ever willingly be your mate. I will be the only one standing beside you,” she threatened, her words laced with venom as she shot one last scathing look my way before storming out of the ballroom.

“Why the hell did you bring her here, Gabriel?” Enzo hissed, his voice low and furious. Gabriel turned to me, an apologetic look in his eyes.

“Give us a minute, Ava,” he said, and before I could protest, Enzo strode away from me, Gabriel following closely. I stood there, feeling the weight of the pack members’ stares pressing down on me like a heavy cloak. Self-consciousness washed over me as I walked away from the table, seeking refuge in a quieter corner of the room.

“You know very well you have no other choice, Enzo. She won’t let you take another woman, and we’ve seen that,” I overheard Gabriel say, their voices drifting through the ajar French doors as I paused behind a curtain.

“She is manipulative and heartless; she would never make a suitable Luna for this pack,” Enzo replied.

“We have to find a way to resolve this,” Gabriel suggested, but their voices faded as they moved further away, leaving me alone in my thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” Samara asked, her hand gently resting on my shoulder. I turned to face her, trying to mask my emotions.

“Nothing,” I replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

“Are you scared?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

“Scared? Why?” I questioned, my brow furrowing.

“Anna isn’t an ordinary woman. She has loved Alpha Enzo since they were children, and she killed two women who dared to accept his proposal to become his Luna. Since then, no woman has dared to accept his proposal except you,” Samara explained, her voice low and urgent.

“She killed someone just because she wanted to be Enzo’s mate?” I asked, disbelief washing over me as I processed her words.

“Alpha Enzo doesn’t like her, but it seems he doesn’t have a choice right now. I don’t know what would happen to this pack if she becomes the Luna,” Samara said, her tone grave. “Do you want to join me for some drinks?”

“No, thank you. You can go ahead,” I told her, and she nodded before disappearing back into the crowd. I remained in the corner, my mind racing with everything that had transpired. I cast one last glance at the ballroom before deciding to head back to Enzo’s house.

The house was dark when I arrived, an eerie silence enveloping me as I stepped inside. “Enzo?” I called out, but my voice echoed back to me, unanswered. I made my way to the kitchen, feeling a sense of dread settle in my stomach.

“What are you doing here?” I asked when I saw Enzo with his back facing me, his posture tense and rigid. On the table, a half-full bottle of whiskey stood alongside a glass, already filled to the brim.

“Nothing; you can go to bed,” he said dismissively, his tone cold and distant.

“I can be your mate,” I blurted out, surprised by my own boldness. Enzo turned sharply, surprise etched across his features. The moment hung in the air between us, charged with unspoken emotions.

He blinked, his eyes searching mine for some indication of my sincerity. “Ava, you don’t understand,” he began, but I could see the conflict in his gaze.