NINE PART 1

His words were supposed to comfort her, but instead, she couldn't help but dwell on what he would be missing out on by being with a mate who couldn't fully embrace his true self, just like he deserved.

"What does that mean for you?" she asked.

"Let's not discuss this anymore, okay? We've had enough of it. All the darkness and fear will still be waiting for us when we return. Today, let's take a walk on the beach. Let's talk about things like we used to when we first met."

"You were studying art," she recalled. She had thought he was perfect back then, and she was pleasantly surprised when he asked her out for coffee. Her stomach was filled with butterflies every time he looked at her.

To be honest, she still felt that way.

"I still am. I'll always have the heart of an artist," he replied.

"And the soul of a wolf," she added.

"All creative individuals must have that, if they want to survive," he explained.

Ava buried her toes deeper into the sand, feeling the water slowly inching its w