Chapter 123
Ava’s POV
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My phone vibrated in my pocket as I made my way through the endless corridors of Grayson’s mansion. Pulling it out, I smiled when I saw the message. It was from Grayson. True to his word, he was trying–really trying. The text was long, and I could picture the focused look on his face as he typed it, detailing exactly where he was, what he’d be doing, and letting me know he might not make it back home tonight.
Home.
he word tugged at my heart, spreading a warmth I wasn’t quite ready to address. I loved him–my heart knew it, but my ind wavered. Should I tell him? Did he feel the same way? The thoughts spiraled until I stepped into the grand hall and froze
Isabella stood in the center of the room, commanding attention. Surrounding her were over twenty omegas, their postures stiff as they hung onto her every word.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to war,” she announced, her voice ringing with authority.
I blinked, her words pulling me out of my thoughts. War? What war?
“Bels,” I called out, quickly shoving my phone back into my pocket and making my way toward her and the omegas bowed their heads as I passed. I smiled at them, but my focus was on Isabella. Grabbing her arm, I pulled her aside, lowering my voice even though I knew the omegas could still hear me with their heightened senses.
“What are you doing?” I asked, exasperation evident in my tone.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Better question: what are you doing? You just wasted three minutes of my time, and I have less than 72 hours to plan a birthday party!” Before I could respond, she flicked my forehead. “Behave yourself.”
I stared at her, dumbfounded. Birthday party?
“You were taking too long so I decided for you,” She huffed, glancing back at the omegas, who were trying their best to look elsewhere. Isabella, however, was undeterred. “As I was saying,” she began, addressing the group again, “we are going to war.”
て Bels,” I interrupted, rubbing my forehead. “I already told you I don’t want to celebrate my birthday.” Then, mimicking her, I flicked her forehead. “And stop doing that.”
Turning to the omegas, I softened my tone. “You all can go back to your duties. I apologize for my best friend pulling you away from them.”
There was a brief shuffle of feet before Brianna stepped forward. “Actually, Luna, it was our idea to help. We overheard that your birthday was coming up, and we’d be honored to assist in the arrangements.”
“See?” Isabella grinned triumphantly. “You’re the only one against this. Are you really going to be a downer?”
I sighed, realizing I’d already lost. If Isabella wanted something, she got it–and now she had the omegas on her side. “Fine,” I relented, rolling my eyes. “But I need to take a shower and change first.”
“I was just about to say that.” Isabella wrinkled her nose playfully. “You smell like drugs and hospitals.”
“Because I’m coming from one,” I retorted, shaking my head. Despite my irritation, I couldn’t help but smile. “Sometimes, I wonder how we’re best friends.”
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12:36 Fri, 3 Jan
Chapter 123
She grinned. “You know you love me. Now, hurry back!” She clapped her hands, turning back to the omegas. “As I was saying, we’re going to war.”
“No one is going to war,” I laughed as I walked away, her antics leaving a small smile on my face.
But the smile vanished when I saw Elaine approaching from the opposite side of the corridor.
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Ever since her manipulative stunt–faking trying to kill herself to get us to return, only to threaten me once Grayson was out of earshot–I’d been avoiding her. She seemed to thrive on drama, and I wanted no part of it.
I tried to sidestep her, but she blocked my path. “Are you not going to greet me?” she sneered.
ghed, keeping my voice calm. “Doesn’t it get tiring? Being like this when you don’t really want to be?”
Her eyes narrowed, her irritation evident. “And how exactly do I want to be, Ava?” she spat, emphasizing my name like it was dirt.
I met her gaze evenly. “You said it yourself–you don’t want to be miserable. Maybe you should work toward that instead of making everyone else miserable so you can feel better about yourself. Now, if you’ll excuse me-”
I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm, her claws digging into my skin. Pain shot through me as my wolf growled in anger. Without thinking, I shoved her back, and she slammed into the wall with a force that surprised even me.
Her eyes widened, shock flickering across her face.
“Why, you little-”
I cut her off, my voice firm. “Do not insult me, Elaine. I’ve put up with you for long enough, but no more. I sympathize with you losing your parents must have been hard, and I understand that Grayson played a role in that pain. But people go to therapy. They work through their issues. They don’t become vile and bitter, tearing others down for their own satisfaction. “And whatever alliance you think you’ve formed with Monica and Crystal? I don’t care. I’m done playing nice. You push me, I’ll push back–twice as hard. And let me make one thing clear: I’m not leaving Grayson, no matter what you do.”
She blinked, her expression unreadable as she stared at me like she was seeing me for the first time.
My wolf growled in approval, and I turned to leave. Pausing at the end of the hallway, I glanced back at her. “And one more thing–from now on, it’s Luna to you.”
Without waiting for a response, I walked away, feeling triumphant for the first time in a long while.
When I finally reached my room, I let out a sigh, the adrenaline fading. Then, a familiar tingle spread through my head as my wolf’s voice echoed in my mind.
“Good work. That’s how you show them you’re his queen.”
Before I could question her cryptic words, she raised a psychic wall, shutting me out. I shook my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. If there was an award for cryptic and snobbish, my wolf would win it. But I loved her anyway.
Love.
The word lingered, and I quickly pushed it from my mind.
After a long shower, I changed into casual clothes and headed back to the grand hall. The moment I stepped inside, I froze again–but this time for an entirely different reason.
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12:36 Fri, 3 Jan
Chapter 123
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In the short time I’d been gone, Isabella had orchestrated a transformation. The once–bare hall now buzzed with life. Tables were being arranged, decorations were being hung, and the omegas moved with precision under Isabella’s watchful eye.
She stood in the corner, barking commands like a general, her hands gesturing wildly as she directed the chaos. But amidst the frenzy, there was laughter–soft chuckles, playful banter, and the occasional giggle.
I couldn’t help but smile. Isabella might have a flair for the dramatic, but her energy was infectious.
Making my way toward her, I called out, “You’ve been busy.”
She turned, her grin widening when she saw me. “Well, someone has to make sure your birthday is memorable.”
‘s just a birthday, Bels,” I said, shaking my head.
“Correction: it’s your first birthday as being Luna to the Alpha King and your first as not being your parent’s door mat,” she countered. “That makes it special.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my amusement. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me for it,” Isabella shot back, linking her arm with mine.
As the omegas continued to work around us, I allowed myself to relax, the weight of the day slipping away. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt… content.
And for now, that was enough.
But like the universe had a cruel sense of humor, the air suddenly shifted. It was subtle at first—a stillness that settled over the room, heavy and oppressive. I knew this feeling all too well. It was the same suffocating aura that always accompanied my mother’s presence.
The lively chatter of the omegas died, and every head turned toward the entrance. There she stood, as imposing as ever. Her sharp eyes swept over the hall like she owned it, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line.
“What the hell is your mother doing here, and who let her in?” Isabella muttered, her grip tightening on my arm.
That was the exact thought racing through my mind. My heart dropped as her gaze locked onto me, scanning my casual clothes with her usual disdain.
Ava, come here,” she commanded, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
My wolf stirred, growling softly in irritation. I straightened my back, willing myself not to falter. “If you have something to say, Mother, then say it. I’m not moving.”
Her lips curled into a smile that instantly made me regret my defiance. She straightened her posture, her piercing eyes sweeping over the room, taking in every single face now frozen in stunned silence.
“Very well then,” she said, her voice cold and dripping with authority. “Since you seem to prefer an audience.”
“Mother, wait-” I started, a flicker of panic rising in my chest.
But she ignored me, her words cutting through the room like ice. “I came to tell you to pack your bags. You’re coming back with me because, as of this moment, Grayson Blackwood has signed you over back to me.”
12:36 Fri, 3 Jan
Chapter 124
