Claws Of Fate

AVAI balanced the tray of confectionaries on my palm and made my way out of the kitchen into the sea of people in the great hall of the Golden Claw pack house.Everyone was dressed in their temple’s best.Radiant bright colors of gowns and evening wear and black and white tuxedos filled the hall.A part of me was jealous that I wasn't here as a guest but rather as a worker and another part was glad I could secure a job like this. Far away from home and the people that despised me.It was only for three nights but it was a huge break from the constant hatred I received from my family and the whole pack at large.As soon as I stepped into the crowd, half my tray was already gone. My cupcakes seemed to be the people's favorite tonight.“When is he coming out?” I overheard a beautiful girl ask in the crowd. She was dressed in a long backless cocktail dress that accentuated her beautiful back and buttocks. Her flowing black hair covered her face so I couldn't see what she looked like.“I

AVAI spent the rest of the night hiding. Not literally, but I might as well have. Every time I caught even a glimpse of prince Cane's piercing gaze.I ducked behind a wall, a curtain or even a particularly large waited. Anything to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest.An actual, bloodline-of-the-moon, bow-before-him, wears-crowns-on-special-occasions prince?Oh. My Goddess.He was a prince? A fucking prince and I had disrespected him.My stomach twisted violently. I pressed a hand to it, afraid I might puke all over the silver -plated serving trays.I called him a bumbling idiot, to his face.I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. What if he told his father? What if I got summoned to some royal court and beheaded for disrespecting the crown?"Oh, Goddess!”"What are you doing here?"The sharp voice of Mrs. Dominguez yanked me out of my spiraling panic. I spun around like I'd been caught stealing food."Uh..." I scrambled for words, eyes darting like I could find an excuse ly

AVAI ran as fast as my legs could carry me, the forest blurring around me. I couldn't shake off the fear that gripped my heart, fear of being caught by the pack, fear of being punished for injuring Liz. My wolf, Spark, growled and snarled, still fuming from the confrontation.But it wasn't just the pack that had me running. Cane's words echoed in my mind. "Be my mistress, and I'll take care of you." The audacity. The nerve. I felt like an object, a plaything for him to use and discard. I expected more from my mate, but it seemed he only saw me as a convenience.The anger and hurt simmered beneath my surface, threatening to boil over at any moment. I pushed myself to run faster, the trees whizzing by in a green blur. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had to get away.As I ran, the forest grew denser, the trees closer together. The canopy overhead filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. I felt a sense of freedom, of release, as I left the pack'

AVAI watched Cane walk away, feeling a pang of sadness in my chest. Despite his rough exterior, I had seen a glimmer of kindness in his eyes, and a part of me had hoped that he might be different. But I knew better than to trust anyone too quickly. I had always wanted to feel a connection with my mate, to feel loved and cherished. But I would never settle for being second best, for being someone's mistress or plaything.As I turned to leave, I heard the voices of the guards who had been chasing me from my pack. My heart sank, and I felt a surge of fear. I had almost forgotten that I was in trouble, that Liz had ordered my capture and return. I knew I couldn't go back there, not now, not ever.I quickly scanned my surroundings, looking for a way to escape. The village was bustling with activity, and I knew I could easily get lost in the crowd. But I also knew that the guards would be relentless, that they would stop at nothing to capture me.I spotted a small alleyway between two

LIZ I couldn't help but smile as I thought about Ava being locked away in that dingy cell. It was the highlight of my day, maybe even my week. For years, I'd been trying to get rid of her, to make her life miserable enough that she'd leave the pack on her own. But Ava was stubborn, refusing to give up despite all the obstacles I'd thrown her way. I remembered the time I'd tried to have her killed, sending those rogues to attack her. But she'd managed to survive, and that had only made her more of a threat. Her existence was a constant thorn in my side, a reminder that I wasn't the only one vying for power and attention. As I sat in my room, sipping my tea and staring out the window, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Ava's presence in the pack was a threat to everything I'd worked for. She was a wild card, unpredictable and stern. And if she continued to live, I was afraid she'd take everything I'd worked so hard to get. I thought about my father, the Beta,