Resolve

She returned to her bedroom immediately after Alora left the house. As soon as her back touched the bed, she wrapped herself in her own fur and cried herself to sleep.

 Ava's hair was a tangle and her eye bags were heavy when she woke up the following day, with a painful headache, she walked slowly to the bathroom, and changed into a comfortable outfit. 

She looked at the bruise from Damon's hard grab, which was starting to heal thanks to the ointment she had applied. She cleaned her face and went back to her room. She turned to face the window to see what was going on when she heard a noise coming from outside.

The news of the Alpha and his soon-to-be Luna's wedding was announced by park Custodian. The custodian's words seemed to be prearranged, since he only had good things to say about Alora as if she were a goddess of some sort. Ava rolled her eyes in disgust, Alora had once again succeeded in ruining her day.

Her eyes shifted from the window to the pictures hanging on the wall. It was her and Alora together, and they brought back many wonderful memories. However, the anger she was feeling at that moment overshadowed whatever happiness they had once shared.

Ava angrily knocked the photos off the wall, breaking the glass frame into tiny pieces.

‘Fuck!’ She was trying to pick up the glass shards when a piece of glass pierced her finger. She let out a loud curse, but the pain from the wound was nothing in comparison to the pain she felt in her heart. As she watched her wounds heal, she realized that being a werewolf still had its benefits. 

Ava was filled with even more rage as she saw her blood all over Alora's torn picture. She slumped in the corner of her room and cried once again. At that moment, the thought of running away didn't seem like a bad idea. She just couldn't take the torment any longer. 

Ava wiped the tears from her face, realizing that leaving would be the wisest thing to do because staying would just make her life more miserable. She didn't think it would be a horrible idea to be a stray. How bad could it be, considering her current situation?

She immediately headed to her closet and removed a tiny backpack, filling it with everything she owned. After finally deciding to take matters into her own hands, she would make her move tomorrow when everyone was busy celebrating. She didn't know if the choice she was making was the right one, but at the moment, all she wanted was to escape as quickly as possible; she would consider the other options later. All she had to do was wait for tomorrow, when her problems would finally be resolved.

The next day

Ava's plan began at exactly 7:45a.m., having gotten up early due to her lack of sleep the previous night and finished all her preparation for the journey ahead. She had already packed her backpack with enough food and clothing for her trip. 

The wedding was not until midnight, to be celebrated under the moonlight, she was unable to leave the house until members of the pack finished getting ready for the Alpha and Luna's union. 

Ava had planned to go to her parent's grave to say goodbye to them before she left, but she was unable to buy flowers this time since she didn't want to draw attention to herself. She covered her face with a hood and wore simple clothes. She walked for an hour after leaving her residence until she reached the grave. 

Many things crossed her mind as she looked at her parents' graves. Perhaps her life might have turned out differently now if her parents hadn't passed away when she was born. If her uncle hadn't abandoned her and chosen to run away or if he had just taken her with him, she might not have suffered as much. Instead, she would have had no worries in the world since they would have been there to love and protect her. 

Perhaps people wouldn't have looked down on her if she weren't simply so weak, or perhaps if she had been born a strong werewolf. She wouldn't have to go through as much suffering if things had gone differently. However, that was not her reality. She was a broken friend, a weak omega, an abandoned daughter, a rejected mate, and now she would have to add a soon to be rogue to her list of failings. 

“Mom, Dad, it’s me Ava” She paused. “I came here to say good bye, but this time, I don’t know if I'll be able to visit your graves again. I did all I could to endure all the attacks and humiliations for so many years but now I am worn out, I can’t take it anymore. I know that there’s nothing left for me anymore, so I have to leave this place while I still have a chance." Tears rolled down Ava’s cheeks, she didn’t want to abandon her parents but leaving was her only option. 

“I am sorry because I know I am letting you down once again and I hope that this is the last time I will ever disappoint you ever again.” A strong wind blew across the entire cemetery as she turned to go after giving the two graves one last glance. 

With every step she took, the sound of falling autumn leaves sounded loudly. What mattered was the plan ahead; she couldn't afford to look back, therefore it didn't matter if her parents were trying to discourage her from leaving or to support her.

Later that evening

The wedding had officially begun and the street was empty. "It's time," she thought to herself, inhaled deeply, and gave her room a quick look before heading out. Ava became curious about the union after hearing the loud howls that seemed to be coming from Moon Square. It was a sign that the union had already begun, and the streets were deserted, much like the night of the mating ceremony.

A part of her wanted to see Damon and Alora. She spent the next few minutes deliberating if she should leave immediately or watch the wedding, her curiosity got the better of her, and she stopped to watch from a distance. The color drained from her face as she watched one of the eldest Ancient join Damon and Alora in union. 

“This is the last time I am ever going to shed a tear because of anyone and this is the last time I am going to let anyone hurt me like this, that’s a promise” Ava swore to herself that night. She turned her back and walked away, leaving everything and everyone behind. And from that day her fate was sealed.