Ava
By the time I have had a mighty cold shower to stem the extremely hot feelings Braiden left me with, I have calmed
down, and instead of anger or sexual tension, anxiety pools in my stomach. This would be the first time facing his
pack since arriving. And his parents.
After seeing those children happy and thriving even after their trauma, I wonder if it’s possible for me. Could I find
a place in the pack next to Braiden? With him.
My heart skips at the hard knock on the door. The strong scent tells me exactly who it is. Damn, why did his scent
have to be so delicious, I think, cursing under my breath as I give myself a quick once over in the mirror. I had
chosen a simple white summer dress, unsure exactly what the dress code was for a pack dinner. When I messaged
Nick and asked him what I should wear, he was thrilled that I was finally coming out. He told me to wear one of
my summer dresses, so here I am. Braiden lived in suits, so we may look odd next to each other. But that was
probably the last thing that mattered. People would have many reasons to question why we are together, aside from
our mismatched outfits.
Another hard knock has me rolling my eyes. This man had no patience.
I swing open the door and almost swoon at the vision before me. Braiden is dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. Simple.
Sure. On any other man. On a Greek god, it looks like he has walked off the cover of a modeling set. The
jeans hang low on his hips and cling to his thick thighs before tapering off, revealing feet adorned in sandals. His
shirt, which is as white as my dress, clings to his muscles like paint. Tattoos cover both bic eps and disappear into
the sleeve, covering most of his body from what I can see through the thin material. Geezus, he looks so hot. And
his scent was not helping. I finally meet his eyes, which are now black, as his gaze similarly travels my body.
The dress I was wearing was admittedly a bit tight on my bust, pushing my generous C-cups up and showing a bit
of cleavage. The sleeves covered some of my scars, and my loose hair covered the rest on my back. The fabric
hugged my waist before flaring out and ending just above my knee. I, too, was wearing sandals, though mine had
cute daisies on the top.
“Fuck.” Though not a compliment, that word from his mouth tells me everything I need to know. And it's better
than any compliment I have ever received. All those ‘you look pretty’ or ‘you look gorgeous’ phrases are crushed
by that one filthy word coming from this man.
“Yes. I think we should go.” My voice sounds way too low and sensual as I st ep into the passage and close the door
behind me.
As usual, he takes my hand, and I can’t help rolling my eyes. He was determined to cause a stir.
“Since I have met you, you have rolled your eyes three times at me. Next time, your punishment will be the same as
the one I will dish out if you ever call me My King again.” His hand squeezes mine, and I smirk, feeling a little
feisty.
“You would have to catch me first. And I’m quite fast.” That wasn’t even an exaggeration. If there was one thing I
was good at, it was running. I was faster than anyone in my old pack, even when they were in their wolf form.
Nick would often say that it was a gift.
“You’re riling my wolf up, Ava. And if he catches you, there may be no restraint in sight considering how you have
been torturing us,” he growls out, his eyes caressing my face with such desire that I flush at the intimacy of the
look. At this rate, we were on track to combust in flames at the heat between us.
I almost lift my hand to fan my face but refrain, not wanting him to know how worked up I was. He would not get
the satisfaction, though, from his smirk, I think he was well aware.
My attention shifts from him to the noise coming from the large open doors leading to the front garden. When I
arrived, I hadn’t noticed much, as I was shuffled inside late at night. The view I have from my bedroom faces the
back garden, which is absolutely magnificent. Loads of jungle gyms are dotted everywhere, as well as flower beds
and picnic tables. Lots of people eat their lunch in the back garden during the day.
My hand starts sweating as the noise increases in volume, and I rub my free one down my dress, hoping Braiden
doesn’t notice. But he notices everything. His st eps slow down, which I am grateful for, giving me a minute to
quiet my nerves.
“My hand is sweating,” I mumble, looking up at him as I try to pull my hand free from his grasp. Also, an excuse to
break the physical connection before we walk out. But he holds it firm, not giving an inch.
“I don’t care. If I had it my way, our entire bodies would be sweating in my room upstairs. But you are stubborn, so
here we are.” He smiles. He is trying to lighten the mood, which I appreciate. I can’t help the small smile that
cre eps onto my face at his comment.
“You’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Together. Okay?” He gently pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger,
guiding me forward and placing the sweetest kiss on my cheek.
He smiles at me, and I smile back. Then I lift my chin and straighten my shoulders. My hand squeezes his instead
of trying to pull away, as if he has become my anchor in this moment.
It seems like every door I walk through, I am gasping, just as I do now.
The garden is alight with colorful little solar lanterns hanging from the trees and solar fairy lights wrapping around
every other trunk. Solar lights dot the floor and hang from little hooks in garden beds. It's like being in a fairy
wonderland. Ten huge wooden tables are scattered across the lawn, big enough to seat thirty to forty wolves. The
smell of pizza assaults my nostrils, and my stomach growls. I spot three big pizza ovens off to the side, some
wolves dressed in aprons laughing as one puts topping on while another pulls a large pizza from one oven and
places it on a round serving board—my mouth waters.
“You like what you see?” Braiden asks, chuckling and making me wonder if I am perhaps drooling. A quick check
confirms I have not embarrassed myself like that. The meals I have been served for breakfast,
lunch, and dinner while I have been holed up inside have been luxurious, as if a five-star chef has made it. But
pizza was one of those foods even the finest cuisine would have to compete against.
“Ava!” Nick calls my name, motioning us to a table to our left. Our progress is slow, with many pack members
stopping to greet their King, who shows a warmth that exists only inside these pack walls. While he is still stoic and
rarely smiles, his face softens when talking to pack members, and his tone is less harsh. There’s no fear living here.
Everyone loves Braiden and respects him. And looking around, his pack prospers under such a rule. Faces show
only joy as people chat with each other at tables.
I am also surprised at the warmth I receive as Braiden introduces me.
Nothing beyond curiosity and some confusion cross their faces as their eyes drift down to our clasped hands. And
whispers can be heard, but most of the looks flung our way are shy and almost excited. You didn’t need a degree to
surmise what was going on. Though it had not been announced, I’m sure people were speculating that I was his
mate. From what Nick had told me during our daily tea-spilling visits, they knew Selene wasn't. My heart warms
slightly with every kind, genuine smile, melting the anxiety away slowly.
When I think back to my old pack, Alpha Alexander ruled by instilling fear in everyone. Beatings were dished out
regularly for infractions, and abuse was rife, not just limited to myself, though mine was more severe.
Nick told me that Braiden had appointed a new pack Alpha, one of his close friends, until a pack leader was chosen
from within. If such a time ever came. Braiden was unaware of what had been going on at Bloodmoon Pack,
something Nick told me he felt a lot of guilt about, being King and all.
Subsequently, he implemented checks and procedures that were being rolled out across all packs to ensure abuse
and bullying like this never happened again. I felt bad for him, carrying so much responsibility and for having
feelings about something that was out of his control.
“Finally. That took you nearly half an hour. Here, I k ept you some pizza,” Nick says when we finally get to his
table, handing me a plate piled with various pizza slices. “And My King, for you as well.” Nick bows his head
slightly before giving Braiden a plate with a few more pieces than mine.
“Don’t bow. It’s not necessary here. This is your home now. And here, I am just your Alpha, but with an additional
title.” Nick nods and smiles, his
face looking ten years younger. He loved pack life. He never said it, but I knew he secretly longed to be part of a
pack again. My heart clenches when I think he could have but remained by my side instead.
Samuel arrives with a tray of glasses and two jugs of beer, completing the perfect meal. We dig in, laughter, and
music from somewhere, making the atmosphere light and easy. Too easy, I think, wondering briefly where
Braiden's parents are.
“Ava! Braiden!” Bri’s voice squeals from a short distance behind before arms encircle my left shoulder and
Braiden’s right, pulling us together as she hugs us with a strength that is surprising.
She squashes next to Braiden, forcing him closer to me so that our bodies are against each other, from shoulder to
thigh. Delicious. Nick, reading my thoughts, winks at me and then laughs when I raise my eyebrows, feigning
ignorance.
“Thank god I managed to get away. I don’t know why Mommy and Daddy insisted on sitting with Selene,” Bri
moans, digging into the one slice of pizza on Braiden's plate.
With no distance between us, I instantly feel how Braiden stiffens at her words. And just like that, the mood
changes as anger se eps out of Braiden, wolves around us stiffening and gazes lowering. Even Bri, Samuel, and
Nick lower their heads at the intensity of the feeling. While it is powerful, it doesn’t seem to impact me the way it
does others, and I turn my gaze to the man beside me, his eyes pitch black. Black as the anger rolling off him.
Someone was in trouble.