Chapter 5

AVA

My mother.

The moment she heard my voice she turned to me. Her eyes got all teary, the anger she had just a minute ago disappearing.

I forced a smile even though I was still feeling pretty tense inside.

"Mom, do not get so upset, " I said softly, trying to calm her down before things got worse. "It is not worth getting sick over someone like that."

As I stopped my wheelchair Lucas finally looked at me and for a second something flashed across his face like he just remembered I was there.

His eyes went to my leg. His face got a little tighter.

"Your leg..." he said, his voice changing. I could hear the tension in it. "Is it okay?" For a brief moment, his aura wavered, like his wolf was reacting before he could suppress it.

I looked him in the eye. I gave him a small cold smile.

"If I had gotten really hurt last night " I said slowly "Mr. Lucas Dan, what would have mattered to you?"

I thought to myself of course he did not even remember why I got hurt in the place he was so busy with Vera.

Lucas looked a little upset by my tone but he did not yell at me instead he took a breath and spoke in a calm voice.

"I am sorry, " he said. "I know you are upset but I really care about Vera. I hope you can understand.... Accept my decision."

Decision? I almost laughed out loud.

Was he talking about what he did the night when he just walked past me or what he was doing now standing there and dumping me in front of my family?

The pain hit me again sharp and fast. This time it did not last long.

It went away quickly, replaced by something emptier. I let out a laugh and my eyes got sharp.

"What kind of man breaks off an engagement before the wedding?" I asked, my voice not soft anymore. With disgust, I continued. "Lucas Dan, let me make one thing very clear."

I leaned back a little, my body looked relaxed like I was just saying something simple.

"Even if you got on your knees now and begged me to marry you," I stopped and I looked him straight in the eye "but I have no interest in marrying you."

The words felt final, like severing something invisible that had tied us together for years. For a time, Lucas' face changed.

His eyebrows came together a little and his eyes locked onto mine with a look that he had not given me before.

My reaction clearly surprised him. He thought I would be crying by now screaming or losing control.

That was who I used to be in his eyes, young and emotional.

I just sat there calm and detached like this whole thing had nothing to do with me and that unsettled him.

For a second something dark flashed in his eyes.

Could it be...?

His pupils got smaller. The way he looked at me changed, like he was trying to figure something out that he did not dare to say out loud.

Before it got quiet for long Vera stepped forward. She moved enough to get between us and her face changed to look guilty and weak.

"Ava... I am really sorry " she said softly, her voice shaking a little like she was sincere. "I never meant to hurt you, I truly did not. Last night... Mr. Dan stayed with me at the time, even in his sleep he was calling my name..."

She looked down like she was ashamed and her fingers got tighter at her sides.

"I just... Could not push him away."

Then she looked up again. Her eyes got a little teary.

"You will forgive me right, we can go back to how things were when we can still be close sisters can we not?"

I stared at her for a second, then without trying to hide it I rolled my eyes and hissed. I did not say a word.

The silence was my answer.

Vera’s face got stiff away and her fake calmness faltered for a second before she bit her lip again making herself look even more wronged.

My father, who had been watching us finally spoke up, his face getting dark and his patience running out but not at Lucas or Vera, but at me.

"Ava," he snapped, "our guest has been here for a while and you just came downstairs. Have you forgotten your manners?"

Before I could say anything my mothers temper, which had barely been controlled, exploded again.

"Guest?" she repeated, her voice going up. "Ava was caught up in smoke last night. She hurt her ankle since she came back. Have you even asked her once how she is doing?"

Her eyes were burning with anger as she stepped forward.

"If you do not care about your daughter, fine but what right do you have to accuse her of being disrespectful?"

Then without waiting for an answer she raised her voice.

"Amina."

The housekeeper came over. "Madam."

My mother looked at Vera. This time there was no warmth in her eyes, only cold resolve.

"Since Miss Vera never intended to stay with our family for long and has already found a place to belong " she said slowly, each word deliberate, "then our home is clearly not good enough for someone of her status."

Her face got harder.

"Go to her room. Take everything out throw it all away."

Her voice was firm and absolute.

"Not one thing is to stay."

For the six months she had treated Vera with nothing but kindness, giving her expensive clothes, bags and jewelry like she was pouring her love into someone she truly cared about.

She had even planned to find Vera a husband after my wedding to make sure her future was secure.

Now…..Looking back it all felt like a cruel joke.

The housekeeper. Turned to do what she was told, heading toward the stairs.

"Stop there."

My father immediately stepped forward, his face getting tighter as he moved to block her path.

"Nova , have you lost your mind?" he demanded, his voice frustrated. "You were the one who gave her those things. How can you just take them now? What kind of impression will that leave?"

My mother did not even look at him.

I was not even surprised by my dad's reaction to the whole issue, because he's no different from Lucas. 

Her eyes stayed fixed ahead unwavering as she spoke again, her voice colder.

"Amina take them."

Then finally she shifted her eyes a little, her tone carrying authority. "Let's see who dares to stop me today."

Just while everything was getting heated, I wheeled myself into the garden with the help of the cook. 

While taking in the fresh air, a familiar scent hit my nostrils. My wolf stirred, no, not stirred… She rose.

Fully awake for the first time in years.

A sharp, unfamiliar pull tightened in my chest, not painful… but undeniable.

Then I saw him.

The man with a mask from yesterday, his bright eyes and the scar on his chin caught my attention and suddenly, I heard my wolf whisper.

“Mate”

The word did not come from my lips, it echoed inside me. “Mate.” This time, clear and certain.