Evan Wilson POV“How are you feeling, Amanda?”I sliced the apple with deliberate care, keeping my eyes on the cutting board. It had been a few days since I found her on that road. A rogue, broken and alone. I’d talked to my father—explained everything. He’d agreed to let her stay.Because she’s my mate.She hadn’t said what happened. No reason for the state I found her in. Just silence. Wounds. Shadows.She spent days in the hospital. Now she’s here. Safe.I wish I could say she feels safe. But she barely speaks unless I ask her something. Never demands anything. Just stays in the room I gave her, quiet and still. If I go to her—or send something—only then will she respond.Otherwise, it’s silence.Still, I’m grateful she’s here. “I am feeling fine, Alpha,” she said softly from behind me.Just like that, I folded.A few words and I’d leap through fire if she asked.“Don’t call me Alpha,” I muttered, setting the blade down too hard. “It’s Evan. How many times do I need to repeat that
Ava Wilson POVHis scent. His warmth. Rubbing against me in all the wrong ways. The way he asks questions I can’t answer.And no matter how many lies he’s already caught.“I don't need to know you, Ava. You are my mate. That means the Moon Goddess blessed me with you—and I can get to know you slowly.”Rough words. But they tingle more than they should.I can’t tell him the truth—that I was reborn. That Austin ruined everything last time.“Chester, you do know you’re a vampire, right?” I need to change the subject.He doesn't move back. Still standing too close. “Yes. That too, a king. What kind of question is this, Amore?”“I’m a werewolf. I know that doesn’t matter to you—that I haven’t gotten my wolf yet. But I’m the Alpha’s daughter. My father won’t accept me having a vampire mate. Even if my wolf does identify you.”No lie in that. Our pack’s relationship with vampires is strained at best.Even with the peace treaty at this school—even sitting here in the canteen, side by side—t
Chester POVAva stared at me, wide-eyed, as if she might faint any second. She really was something.Hadn’t she just been talking about me a moment ago? Being a vampire had its perks. Our hearing was sharper than any other being’s—and I was a vampire king. Mine was sharper than most.Mark grunted in surprise as I dragged a chair over and slid it beside Ava’s. She stiffened, her hands clenching the sides of her seat.“Embo’s outside,” I said, flicking a glance at Mark. Always tailing Embo like a shadow. I needed him gone—needed time alone with Ava. There were things we had to discuss. Things about that motherfucker Austin. Who he really was—and why he’d been so hell-bent that day.Mark hesitated, glancing between us.“How did you hear us?” asked the girl next to Ava. Amelia, if I remembered right.I leaned back lazily, smirking. “From my ears. You both can leave. I need to talk with my mate.”“She doesn't have a wolf,” Mark snapped. “You can’t just claim her.”His words barely register
Ava Wilson POVMy body shivered, no matter how hard I tried to stay calm. But how could I?Chester’s face haunted me all week—the way he kissed me, the way he made me come. I couldn’t shut it off.My mind kept replaying it again and again.Heat crept up the back of my neck. “Can you shut up? We’re in the middle of the hall, and this is what you’re talking about?” I kept my voice low.“You’re the Alpha’s daughter—why are you so scared?” He grinned, like it was some kind of joke.I shook my head and sighed. “Don’t you have classes?”“I do. Actually, we all have the same class—but it’s cancelled. Teacher’s on leave.”Amelia and I exchanged a look. We’d come all the way here, and the first class wasn’t even happening.“Why the sour mood? We can hang in the canteen—it’s not the end of the world. You usually hated classes anyway. Always skipped them,” Mark said.I didn’t know if he was right or not. Having no memories after being reborn wasn’t exactly easy. But at least I got another chance
Ava Wilson POV "It's been a week you've been resting. How about starting school today?" Mom brushed her hand through my hair, smiling gently. "I already talked to the administration about your memory loss. They’re fine with it. I think you should catch up with everything." I smiled. I was truly enjoying my life. Everything finally felt in place—days passing peacefully, my world steady and whole. Austin... my past... everything I'd lost before—I was making up for it, piece by piece. Having my parents beside me, not missing a single moment, made life so much better. Now, as Mom suggested school, I couldn't help but hesitate. Because it meant seeing Austin’s face again. "Amelia’s missing school because of you," Mom added, her voice light but teasing. "Tomorrow’s her birthday." How could I forget? Amelia would never complain. She always acted more like a maid than a sister, no matter how hard I tried to treat her like family. But it was her eighteenth birthday.
Ava Wilson POV I turned and met Mark’s eyes. He stood there with his arms crossed, suspicion carved into his expression. That look was becoming all too familiar, and I wasn’t sure if I was annoyed or just exhausted by it. Mark always had a way of getting under my skin. We hadn’t known each other long, but somehow, he’d mastered the art of testing my patience. “Why do you look so shocked?” His tone sounded casual, but the intensity in his gaze sent a knot twisting in my stomach. I folded my arms, exhaling slowly. “It’s not shock, Mark. It’s irritation. You’re just… inconvenient.” His lips twitched, forming a smirk that managed to look both amused and calculating. “Inconvenient? That’s one way to put it. Especially for someone mated to the vampire king.” His voice dropped, laden with meaning. I froze, keeping my expression carefully neutral, though his words scraped against my composure. *What does he know?* “Rumors don’t mean anything,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes. “Unl
Ava Wilson POVI leaped in surprise at the sudden deep voice that shook me to my core. My eyes fell upon the person who had appeared out of nowhere, his intense blue eyes staring at us as if he could tear Austin apart and then turn to me. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down my spine, and I knew this encounter wouldn't end well."I said leave her, you..." He cut Austin off, pulling him away and gripping my wrist firmly, scaring me even more. His impact was so strong that I couldn't help but tremble in fear.Things would not go well if he continued like this. Austin tried to reason with him, matching Chester's gaze, but he was much shorter and looked like a kid in front of the bulky Chester.Chester growled with anger, and it startled me. He growled like a vampire, which I couldn't deny was kind of sexy and embarrassing because it turned me on.Amelia looked around, making me realise that everyone was watching us, which was not good. My parents weren't present, but they would he
Ava Wilson POVAs I lay on the bed, a sudden voice reached my ears, and there was my mom, entering the room."You're feeling fine, right?" she asked, her concern palpable.Why did she come asking all of a sudden? Could she have found out about the mischief Mark and I pulled, and did Amelia spill the beans to her?It doesn't seem like that's the case, as Amelia seems like someone who knows how to keep mysteries to herself.Yet, it's hard to believe that mom is just stressed. I tried to shield myself with the blanket, not wanting to reveal my injuries to her.Hidden beneath the blanket, my heart raced with mixed emotions. I didn't want my mom to worry about me, but at the same time, it felt comforting to have her here, showing genuine concern."I'm okay, Mom," I replied, trying my best to sound reassuring. "Just a little tired, that's all."She came closer and sat beside me on the bed, her warm hand gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "You can tell me anything, you know.
Ava Wilson POVMark's shout jolted me as he forcefully pulled Chester's hand away from mine, leaving me stunned. My gaze fixated on Chester, who seemed ready to drain the life out of Mark, an intent to kill lurking in his eyes without a single drop of bloodshed.I turned to Amelia, who appeared calm on the outside but her face betrayed the stress she must be feeling. I understood her position, considering how late it was for me to be out, and I was relieved that I didn't act impulsively with Chester in the heat of the moment. That could have led to mating and complications, potentially distracting me from seeking revenge against Austin and his partners in crime.Trying to ease Mark's concern, I spoke calmly, "Relax, I'm still fine, you can see, right?"I couldn't fathom how he could think I harmed myself when he was the reason I entered that damn room and ended up entangled with Chester. It was quite a dramatic twist that I couldn't help but appreciate. Mark wanted his mate, but for t