Chapter 3

Ava.

I used my time wisely while in Los Vegas—never missing an opportunity. No more standing in the shadows.

No more nervous, scared Ava. This was the new Ava that HAD to survive.

"I'll ask him," I replied, trying not to let my emotions show.

"Come early. Shannon has arranged a large dinner."

I couldn’t help but frown as I asked, "Am I to call her Shannon now? And not Mother?"

I had almost forgotten about my dear stepmother’s existence… or was it that I tried to forget?

"Don’t be a clown! See you then, bye." He tried to play it off before hanging up quickly.

I stared at my phone and took a deep breath before calling Kaiser. I should’ve known he wouldn’t answer.

I wouldn’t bother him if it wasn’t for the fact that, if he didn’t come, I would have to deal with those people all by myself.

Also, the fact that I now had a mate that wasn’t Viktor to show off. I knew Viktor was going to be present and I wanted nothing more than to upset him even more.

I did my makeup and selected a limited-edition overcoat from my closet. I have to look the part, as always.

Then the usual—perfume behind the ears, as customary—and prepared to leave... alone.

When I arrived at the place I once called home, I forced myself to smile before ringing the doorbell.

I listened carefully, controlling my breathing.

Shannon, surprisingly, opened the door—with the biggest, not surprising fake smile of her own. She laughed that annoying laugh of hers as she touched my arm.

"Ava, darling, you're back! Your dad is waiting for you. Come in! Where’s Kaiser? Didn’t he come with you?"

I let my fake smile drop as I sneered at her. "He's working late. Now, please take your dirty hand off me."

There was no glossing over it—Shannon is a bitch. There’s not a genuine bone in her body and absolutely no reason to show her any respect...not anymore. Even if it was fake before I left.

She frowned, looking almost confused as she pulled her hand away.

"Okay, I won’t touch you."

How can she be confused? Seriously.

Told you—they pretend the past never happened.

I couldn’t help but smirk.

"I do love your acting skills and fake niceties. It’s no wonder your daughter took over you and is now a famous actress. She definitely got her skills from you—especially after the way you treated me. Or are we pretending the past never happened? Or what, you want to tell me you have amnesia now?"

In the past, Shannon and Elizabeth had abused me in every way they could—behind my dear old father's back. Not that he would’ve cared.

I had been helpless to stop them, especially with the drugs in my system and no one believing me. Not even the pack’s council, when I finally got the courage to call them.

I had shown my father and the council my injuries, but Shannon told them all the wounds were self-inflicted and even cried, saying she had tried to stop me. Oh, it was a great show, I can tell you for free.

Everyone took Shannon’s word over mine—even my own father. Just thinking about it made my blood boil. It was easy for them, because after all I was a useless omega and a disgrace to my family.

I gently pushed Shannon out of the way and walked in.

"You're right. The past should just remain right where it is, and we’re both different people now. Not that anything about me is any of your business."

I could feel her glare on the back of my head as she huffed, "Whatever," before closing the door behind me as I continued into the living room.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth must have heard my voice, because she came down the stairs—

The typical scowl instantly took over her face when she saw me.

Growing up, when I was forced to accept her as my stepsister, we were also forced to attend the same school. I don’t know whether it was because I wasn’t a bad-looking kid, or because I had a lot of friends to start with—but she made my life hell from day one.

She would do everything to destroy my school uniform—sometimes even right before we left for school. Or she’d destroy my hair before we got there.

There was always something.

She did everything to make sure I looked like a beggar that didn’t belong. She was also the first to announce to everyone in school that I was an omega and that I didn’t have my wolf.

That’s why I made sure my makeup and clothes were on point for tonight.

Just to piss her off. Like it always did.

Her face quickly shifted into a fake smile as she yelled, "Ava, welcome home!"

She made a point of quickly pulling me in for a hug. I didn’t refuse it. I played along—for a moment.

As soon as she stepped back, I returned her fake smile. "Well, that was a surprise. I wasn’t sure what kind of welcome I should expect. No beatings today? Or what, you broke your hands?"

Elizabeth froze. I let her stew for a moment before I added, "Or perhaps today is your turn? What do you say, big sister?" I made sure to emphasize the big sister part.

Elizabeth gnashed her teeth as her smile dropped. She couldn’t stand it when I called her “Big sister.” She has always wanted to remain with the illusion that she wasn’t growing older but I made sure to always remind her of that.

I watched as she collected herself, smiled again, and came up with a reply.

"Oh Ava, I see you’re alone. Is it because your husband doesn’t love you at all and doesn’t want to be around you? I mean, I wouldn’t even blame the man." She laughed and continued, "You know, my husband, VIKTOR, told me he didn’t want to come tonight because he didn’t want to have to see your dirty, ugly face again either."

Of course, Elizabeth had married Viktor right after I rejected him. It was all she has ever wanted and didn’t waste any time to jump on the opportunity. Suddenly, she grabbed my wrist and gave it a hard twist.

Fortunately, I was ready.

I pulled my hand away quickly.

She managed a small twist in—but I wasn’t giving her the satisfaction of seeing pain.

She looked at me, surprised. "It seems you’ve learned some skills while you were away."

"You are very correct," I replied, as I couldn’t help myself—and quickly hit a pressure point on her elbow.

She screamed like a damn cow—and my fake smile turned into a real one.

Who knew such a horrible sound could actually feel like music to my ears?