4 Ava: nning
eas
The next three days pass in a haze as I endeavor to leave my room as little as possible. I spend the time trying to make a n to escape; there’s no way in hell I’m staying here to be the pack’s omega whore. My brain skirts past everything that happened with Todd, deciding ignoring <b>it </b>all was much cheaper than therapy.
The walls of my room close in on me. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can’t stop the tears from falling. I try to distract myself with books, but every word seems to mock me, every page a reminder of my trapped existence. I’ve given up on my sses, because–well, I’m noting back. Obviously.
I conclude that my best bet is to run from the g itself, while everyone is too distracted to notice I’m gone. I pack a bag with escape in mind, filling it with clothes, food, and the bnce in my bank ount, after withdrawing it all. I don’t know where I’ll go or what I’ll do, but I can’t stay here anymore.
I buy a burner phone and program Lisa’s number into it, but I’m not sure if it will be safe to text her when
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4 Ava: nning
I’m gone. Like a coward, I say nothing about my ns, and find myself pre–mourning the loss of my best friend. If I tell her anything, she will be in danger,
assuming my pack cares enough to hunt her down for information. It’s better to act like everything’s normal.
At dinner on the third day, I sit at the table, pushing food around my te as my Dad drops the bomb. We’re going to the Silvermoon Pack’s territory for the g.
It’s happening.
Composure is hard to keep when a million fire ants are crawling around inside your skin in a psychosomatic manifestation of anxiety, but somehow, I manage. Either that, or my family doesn’t care enough to notice anything off about me.
In two days, I can’t believe <b>I’ll </b>be surrounded by shifters looking for their fated mates, while I’m just trying to find a way out.
Dad clears his throat and I nce at him, surprised to find his eyes locked on me. “Ava,” he says, in this weird cadence that I think was supposed to be… soothing? “This is a big event for all of us.”
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* Ava mosout
“Yes, Father”
“I think you would understand why I would prefer to keep you home, but it would look odd to leave my unmated, eligible daughter at home when Jessa is also attending.”
Oh, wow. He’s exining something to me. I nce around the table, unsurprised to find Jessa grimacing at her te and Phoenix studying me with hist trademark detachment. He has an easy, loving rtionship with Jessa, but me? He inspects me like I’m a bug.
I guess. to all of them, that’s exactly what I am.
Dad’s fingers tap in stato rhythm against the table. “I expect nothing but your best behavior while we are there. Ava.” His eyes trail to the bruises at my neck, and I flinch. They weren’t as bad as I thought they would be, but I can only hope they fade in time for the g.
I lower my head, prodding at my green beans with my fork. “I understand, Father.”
“Since you don’t have a wolf, it isn’t like you’ll find your mate there. So just try to stay out of trouble and keep
4 Ava: nning
your mouth shut.” He returns his attention to his
dinner, and I clench my fist in myp, hidden beneath
the table.
There’s no point in feeling hurt by his words.
***
The trip to Idaho is done like most of my familial interactions–in silence. Mom, Dad, and Jessa are in their own vehicle, while I apany Phoenix in Jessa’s truck.
The hum of the engine and the rhythmic thud of the tires on the road lull me into a state of numbness. Phoenix drives with the arrogance of an alpha, one arm draped across his door and his entire body
rxed. The radio is off, because of course it is. He
looks so much like Dad. Cold and distant, just like all of
them.
The hours pass, and rolling teaus give way to the mountains of the northern boundaries of the state. My thoughts drift to Lisa, wondering what she’s up to and if she will forgive me for disappearing.
“You’re not nning on doing anything foolish at the Lunar G, are you, Ave?”
14:35
4/7
4 Ava: nning
My entire body twitches in shock, first from the <b>sound </b>of Phoenix’s voice, and then by his question. <b>I </b>stare <b>at </b>the side of his face, wondering if he somehow knows, and fight to stay calm. “Of course not. Dad would beat me. He’s made it perfectly clear what he expects of
me.”
Phoenix grunts. I’m not sure what that means. Oh, Lord, or Moon Goddess, or whoever is the real deity out there–if only I could read my siblings like they can read me.
I return to staring out the window, trying to sound nonchnt. “Besides, it’s not like anyone can mate a defect.” Oops, the bitterness came out anyway.
This time, Phoenix doesn’t make a sound. I guess he approves of my bleak outlook on my life.
“At least Mason will take you in. You won’t be his mate, but your kids will be legitimate and treated well.”
I can’t help the near–violent flinch at the sound of his name. “As long as they have wolves, you mean.”
Phoenix flicks a nce toward me. “Right.”
Nope. There’s no way in hell I’m staying with these
nan
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4 Ava: nning
He <i>knows</i>, and he’s sitting here telling me to be thankful that <i>man</i><i>, </i>someone who’s beaten me relentlessly through the years, is willing to take me as his breeding whore.
I let out a slow breath and go over the topography of the area in my head. I’m not well versed, but there’s several cities around Shadowvale, and the city itself is huge–at least four times asrge as White Peak. I should be able to muddy my tracks somehow. There’s a few different train stations in White Peak, but I’m hoping to make people think I escaped to the suburbs.
As we approach Shadowvale, my chest tightens with anxiety. The thought of being in the Silvermoon Pack’s territory fills me with a strange mix of dread and hope. It’s like stepping into a world where anything could happen, where I might have a chance at freedom.
I nce over at Phoenix, who is still focused on the road. His stoic expression sends a shiver down my spine, and I mourn the older brother of my memories. Then I start imagining a mental wall around all those memories of Before. I can’t let my sentimental side take over.
I return to plotting my escape in my mind. My heart
14:35
4 Ava: nning
races with a mixture of fear and determination. I’m going to make it out of here. I have to.
The tension inside me coils tighter as we draw closer
to our destination.
66
Every time <i>I </i>type “G“, <i>I </i>can <i>hear </i>the Grand Galloping <i>G </i>song from My Little Ponies in <i>my </i>head.
This makes it really awkward in a few <i>more </i><i>chapters</i>.
Lenaleia
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Comment 15
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