Chapter 7

Time heals even the deepest wounds. That was a quote Ava had heard one too many times. Sure, it was probably better to believe it wholeheartedly. That way, you could cling onto the hope that things would be okay.

For Ava, even time couldn’t get rid of all the scars that littered her mind and soul. She was broken and in all honesty, she was fine with that fact. She had long accepted it. It was something that made her who she was. Why run away from the darkness when you could simply just accept it?

I, Alpha Prince Logan, reject you, Slave Ava, as my Mate.

Those were words that would always echo in her mind. Like a constant reminder of the day that her heart was brutally shattered by none other than Logan himself. She didn’t mind that either. She liked the reminder, regardless of how painful it was. It was necessary. So she would never forget and always having something that pushed her.

Years had passed since that day. After the guards had mercilessly thrown her out, she had trudged aimlessly through the forest. It still came as a surprise that she didn’t die. Foraging on berries alone wasn’t necessarily enough to get by. 

Just when she was on the verge of completely giving up, she had stumbled upon another pack by the name of Silver Bay. She had been brought before the Alpha who was touched when she narrated her story to him. Alpha Collins McBook was as much of the enigma as she had expected him to be. 

She didn’t expect him to offer to help her to get her revenge. She had been skeptical about accepting this help. He’d definitely want something in return. Everybody always something in return right?

Surprisingly, he had kept his word and helped her grow to the point she was today. Ava had worked hard to become one of the most successful business woman, owning various local businesses across Italy. It was all somewhat like a dream to her. Who would have thought the Ava who was getting harassed by that old sack of bones, Gregor, would be the multi-millionaire business tycoon of today? 

She would forever be grateful to Collins for all he’d done for her. Nothing could ever repay him for all the help he’d offered her. Despite having helped her become the woman she was today, he still had his mind on helping her get her revenge.

“Are you seriously eating another one?” 

Ava raised her head from the document she’d been glancing through as the door to her office slid open. Collins shut the door behind him before walking up to meet her.

“What?” She asked, her voice a bit muffled.

He glanced down at the candy wrappers on her table, a tell-tale sign of all she’d been getting to. She quickly grabbed the wrappers and shoved them into the waste bin by her side, a flush appearing on her cheeks. 

They were a guilty pleasure and she couldn’t seem to get enough of them these days. Collins let out a sigh, before shaking his head. A fond smile settled on his face as he looked down at Ava.  

“You’re really something, you know that?” He commented, the smile never leaving his face.

Ava hummed, a small smirk on her face. “But you love me though.”

“Damn right.”

Collins sent her a wink that caused her to let out a little laugh. There was no day where they wouldn’t flirt shamelessly with each other. It had become more or less a habit at that point. She went back to looking at the document in her hands. Collins remained silent as he simply stood before her desk.

She got the feeling he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to approach her about it. Her feeling was confirmed when he eventually spoke up again.

“You’ve been working for an awfully long amount of time. Won’t you give it a rest already?” He asked, his fingers thrumming absentmindedly on the desk.

She paused what she was doing before setting the paper aside. He had that small smile on his face again. It only served to accentuate his already handsome face.

“Is that your way of saying you missed me?” Ava sent him a knowing smile.

“Oh please.” Collins rolled his eyes before letting out a huff. The small smile that formed on his lips ended up giving him away.

“You can just say it with me.” Ava got up from her chair and stretched a little.

“Hell no.” Collins shook his head.

“Come on.” Ava inched closer to him. “Say it with me. I miss you Ava.” 

“Get away from me.” He clicked his tongue, making no move to get away from her. 

“Like you’re not happy I’m so close to you.” Ava retorted, her hands resting on her hips.

“Oh god. I feel so turned on.” Collins let out a fake groan, causing Ava to burst into a fit of chuckles. 

“Sometimes I don’t know whether to take you seriously or not.” She giggled, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eyes.

“Well, you really should.” Collins folded his arms. “Seeing as how I’m your Alpha and all that.” 

“No shit.” Ava glanced at her table, making sure she wasn’t forgetting anything.

“Watch your mouth or I’ll make you.” Collins warned in a joking tone as they made their way out of the office. He helped her with her bag and other things she wanted to carry.

“You’re an ass.” Ava stuck out a tongue to him.

“Yet you love me.” Collins huffed, a smug grin on his face.

Ava narrowed her eyes at him before eyeing Collins up and down. The Alpha fell into a fit of laughter at her expression. This was routine for them. Getting at each other like this. Deep down, Ava knew that Collins loved her unconditionally.

That much was obvious given the fact that he had chosen her as his second chance mate and what she had noted over the years that she had spent close to him. .

Still, she couldn’t reciprocate those feelings he had towards her. She couldn't love him. No matter how much love he showed her, her heart would forever burn with the need for revenge. 

Love be damned.

She had long sealed her heart to the prospect of love ever since that day. She didn’t want any of such again. It only brought her unnecessary heartache. Things were better with her heart guarded. She couldn’t get hurt that way. 

Collins handed her things to one of the maids and guided Ava outside the house. Ava wondered where he could possibly be taking her to. She remained silent and simply let him take the lead. He led her outside the house, shutting the door behind them.

Ava stood on the porch, watching everything going on. They lived at the main house in an array of houses that formed a sort of community. The Silver Bay Pack was organized in such a way that fostered community. The Alpha’s house was distinguished from others. It was where Ava had stayed all this time.

She watched some children playing at the far end of the front yard. They were having, kicking dust at each other, oblivious to whatever perils the world held. Ava wanted that. She wished she could go back to being so carefree and doing whatever she liked without the fear of any type of consequences.

Collins hand wrapped around hers, tethering her to the real world. He always seemed to know when she needed some kind of comfort and was always ready to provide her with it. 

“I’ve been thinking. I think it’s finally time.” She echoed the words running through her head.

Collins turned to look at her, as if he already knew what she was talking about without her having to explain further.

“Are you sure you’re ready to go now? To face them?” He asked, worried about her wellbeing.

Ava nodded her head, trying to steel her nerves and convince herself that she was ready. She had to be. She’d already spent all those years preparing for this one moment. It was finally time for her to strike.

“It’s about time I make my appearance. Logan and the rest of his pack might have forgotten about what they did to me and my family but I haven’t. I swear on the moon that glistens, and on the stars that burn bright. I will get my revenge on them for what they did to me.”

Ava makes these oaths, her eyes burning with a certain hunger. A hunger for vengeance for the ill that was perpetuated on her and her pack. She would never forget it for as long as she continued to breathe.

Collins nodded his head as he took in all she’d just said. His grip on her hand tightened. He turned to look at her, his eyes full of conviction as he spoke.

“I will always be by your side, at your disposal in however way you deem it fit to use me. Use me as you may and exact your revenge.” 

“Then you promise not to leave me till I get what you want?” Ava directed the question at him.

“What is it you desire? Name it and it’s all yours.” Collins replied, without skipping a beat.

“It’s simple.” Ava’s gaze never wavered. “To watch Moonwalker pack burn to the ground.” 

“As you so wish.”