The Beginning Of The Fall

 Ava's POV 

  “Just one night!" Vera, my best friend, pleaded for the umpteenth time. “It's the least you can do for yourself." She added, following me into the closet-like space I now call my room, making herself comfortable on the makeshift bed, her eyes not leaving mine.

   I sighed deeply, “Lucien isn't going to like that and I have like a billion work to do.” 

   She scoffed, rolling her eyes, "no offense, but Alpha Lucien can go to hell. He doesn't control you…you're an adult that can definitely make decisions about whether or not you want to go to a party." 

   

   I took another deep breath, staring at the wall instead of her. As much as I hated to admit it, she wasn’t wrong. But part of me was still in denial, pretending the past few months hadn’t happened. Pretending the man I loved wasn’t in the room we once shared, holding another woman.

   Before I could answer, the door burst open. Lucien stood there, anger rolled off him in waves, and we froze. My heart slammed against my ribs. “He couldn't have heard anything, right?" 

   His gaze snapped to Vera, who looked like she wanted to disappear and I didn't blame her. Even without saying anything, Lucien was intimidating. If I didn't have the Beta blood flowing through my veins, I'd have wanted to disappear too.

   “Get out." He commanded, his voice low, making the room feel even smaller than it already was.

  He didn't have to repeat himself before Vera dashed out, leaving the both of us, staring at each other. 

   I swallowed hard. He moved closer, planting his hands on either side of my head, caging me against the wall. His scent filled my nostrils, reminding me of the memories I'd kept hidden in the darkest part of my mind, never to be visited.

   “What were you talking about?" He asked, finally.

 “N-nothing, Alpha.” I stammered, my body trembling as he cupped my face, sending sparks through my body.

   His hand tightened on my face, causing me to groan softly. "Don't fucking lie to me!” He growled, the sound vibrating off the walls.

  "I-I…s-she just needed my help." I lied through gritted teeth. “I-I’m not lying, I swear." 

   He looked at me for a few seconds, trying to decide whether to believe me or not. 

  He did because the next moment, his mouth found my neck, where his mark used to be. Placing trails of kisses, ones that were sure to leave a mark. I hated how my body betrayed me, knowing the moment he walked out of the door, he was going back to her.

     I bit on my lips to stop myself from actually enjoying it.

  "Seren needs to go shopping for some clothes, go with her." He ordered, putting some space between us but I could still feel his hand and lips on my body.

   "What?” I managed to let out.

   "She needs help choosing the perfect outfits for our ceremony in a few days.” He said, ignoring my expression. "She's still learning the ropes.”

  "What?” I repeated, "y-you want me to follow Seren shopping?”

   He paused, "that's what I just said, Ava. Do you have a hearing problem now?” He asked, glaring at me.

  I waited for him to realise how crazy that sounded but that didn't happen. “I'll send two warriors with you, keep my mate safe." He finished and turned to leave.

  "No,” I heard myself say before I could stop the words. Lucien’s head snapped to mine, his eyes shooting glares at me, but I wasn't giving up.

   He took a slow step toward me, the air shifting with it. “Repeat that,” he said again, quieter this time. 

  My hands curled into fists at my sides. My heart was hammering so hard I was sure he could hear it, but I lifted my chin anyway. “I said no.”

   Even the birds outside stopped chirping, if looks could kill, I'd definitely be long gone. But I wasn't going to let him do this to me again.

   I bit back my tears, my throat burning. “I’m not doing this, Lucien.” I said, my voice cracking despite my effort. “I’m not going to pretend seeing you with Seren doesn't hurt…but shopping for her?”

  He laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes, “You really think you have a choice?” he said. “Do I need to remind you who I am?" 

  His hand shot out, grabbing my neck, making it hard to breathe. “You should be happy that someone like me even looked at you." His eyes raked over me, slow and assessing. “Without me, you’re nothing.”

  My breath hitched. “Lucien…”

   “That's fucking Alpha to you," his wolf growled through him, “and next time you question me, it'll be your last." His hand loosened.

  I sucked in air greedily, stumbling back as he released me completely. My throat burned, my whole body shaking, but he was already turning away and left while I stood shaken.

   After what felt like forever, I blindly made my way to the bed, tears streaming down my face and I let it fall. “How could someone change and become unrecognisable?" I thought, as several memories of Lucien being calm and gentle came rushing back.

  As an Alpha, even at a young age, Lucien was the ideal example of the perfect mate. The boys wanted to be him and the girls wished he was their mate. He was good looking, matured for his age, strong and always putting the needs of pack members before his own. It was the one thing that drew me to him.

   Being the first daughter of the Beta, we spent a lot of time together, learning the ropes on how to lead the pack…spending every waking hour together. It was no surprise when I felt myself falling for him.

  The day he asked me to be his girlfriend still remained fresh in my brain. I was fifteen and he was sixteen, I felt like the moon goddess herself would be jealous of our love story. There was no doubt we were going to be mates when we reached eighteen.

   But that hope was crushed on my eighteenth birthday, when not only was he not my mate, my wolf…I love her, but she was the size of an Omega which didn't make sense with parents who were Betas.

    I had thought my life was over until Lucien asked me to marry him. 

  Saying yes was my first mistake, because after three years of being together, he decided I wasn't good enough and chose Seren, my younger sister, as his mate and our parents also made her Beta in my place.

  “He doesn't deserve us." My wolf, Rhea said. “When we find our mate, he'd be the best thing that’ll happen to us.

   I wanted to believe her, but with how I still couldn't get over Lucien, despite how he was with someone else, I doubt it was possible. Besides, who'd want someone who couldn't fight for what she wants.

   "Let me tell you, a lot of people dig a fragile mate. They like having someone to protect.”

  I smiled despite myself, “are you fragile?" I asked her, knowing very much what her answer would be.

   "Not the point,” She murmured, retreating to the back of my mind, the same time I heard my mom's voice call through the mindlink.

   “Make yourself useful and come here." My lovely Mom ordered, before ending the mindlink.

   Vera was waiting outside my room, quickly rushing over once I opened the door. “Are you okay?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Alpha Lucien looked mad…h-he didn't hurt you right?

  I shook my head, "I'm fine.”

   Sometimes, I wondered how she remained friends with me despite everything that was going on, how people called me names, and asked me to go back to my real parents. Suddenly, I was the adopted daughter and not Seren. But that ends today.

  "We're going to that party.” I told her and a smile spread across her face.

    Two hours later, in outfits I wasn't sure how Vera came out with but were perfect and somehow successfully sneaking out of the Pack house, I was standing in the middle of a house…more like a mansion, music thumping through my chest, lights flashing in time with the beat.

    “This is so fun!" Vera screamed, throwing her hands in the air, spinning in her sparkling silver dress.

   “Totally!" I agreed as the song changed to something slower, something that reminded me about how to be in control of both my thoughts and body.

   I felt a hand on my waist as I danced, but I ignored it, shutting my eyes and letting myself go.

   “Oh my god!" Vera gasped loudly, and I snapped my eyes open.

   I looked around for any form of danger, “Are you okay?" I asked, when I didn't see anything. But she stood frozen, jaw dropped and eyes widened.

   “This better be good,” I thought, following Vera’s gaze.

And then I saw him.

  He was leaning casually against the doorway of the living room, tall, broad, with a presence that made the music fade into background noise. Dark hair falling just enough over his forehead to make him look effortlessly dangerous. His eyes…God, his eyes.

  They were locked on me. Not a glance, not curiosity. Hunger. Like he wanted to devour me slowly, completely, like he already knew every inch of me he wanted and was just waiting for permission.

  I felt it deep in my chest, a pull I couldn’t ignore, though I told myself I didn’t care. I didn’t know him. I shouldn’t feel this. And yet…

  He straightened, taking a step closer, and the air between us shifted, thick with something electric I couldn’t name. My pulse hammered in my ears. 

  “Girl, what are you waiting for?" Rhea asked, definitely drooling and I didn't blame her.

 Vera squeaked beside me. “Uh…Ava? Maybe don’t do anything crazy.”

  I turned toward her, letting a slow smile curl over my lips, the kind that tasted like mischief and daring. “Maybe crazy,” I said, my voice low, almost teasing, “is exactly what tonight needed.”

 I didn’t look back at him, but I could feel him watching. And that, somehow, was enough.