Chapter 170
-Ava’s POV-
T
80%8
“Why doesn’t he just pee on you to mark his territory?” Isabella’s voice rang out the moment I burst through the door of the cafe, panting and struggling to catch my breath.
I stopped dead in my tracks, staring at her, my chest heaving from my hurried pace. “What are you talking about? And what is so urgent that you practically had me running all the way here
She shrugged, casually sipping her coffee as if she hadn’t just turned my morning upside down. “Nothing particularly important,” she said with a wicked grin, “but that’s what you get for choosing a guy over your best friend.” Her narrowed eyes zeroed in on me. “I know you were near your phone and heard it ring the first two times.”
I straightened, feeling my irritation bubble to the surface. She seriously made me leave Grayson for this?
“Are you being serious right now, Bels? How do you even know I was near my phone?”
Before she could answer, a group of high school boys passed by, their curious gazes lingering on me before they smiled and walked away. Confused, I glanced down at myself. Sure, I had grabbed the first clothes I could find, convincing Grayson that I could handle getting here on my own, but I was sure I looked decent enough.
Isabella rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone, flipping the camera to show me the screen.
I gasped. My reflection stared back at me, and my neck and shoulders were covered in marks–reddish bruises, faint scratches, and unmistakable bite marks. Heat rushed to my face as realization set in. That’s why everyone had been staring at me, including Ivan when I asked him to drive me here.
“What the…” My lips opened and closed, unable to form a coherent sentence. Isabella tossed a sweater across the table at me, smirking. “Here. Just put this on before you sandalize us.”
I hurriedly shrugged on the sweater, suddenly feeling like I was glowing with embarrassment. I hadn’t had time to check my reflection before leaving, and Grayson… well, Grayson had been very thorough. My skin still tingled from the memories.
“Thanks for the warning,” I muttered sarcastically, glaring at Isabella.
She grinned unapologetically. “You’re welcome.”
“This really isn’t funny,” I huffed, tugging the sweater higher up my neck. “I was worried. I practically ran all the way here! And you made me leave Grayson for… this?”
“Fine,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m sorry. I don’t like being ignored, okay? I shouldn’t have made you panic. It’s not urgent, but I do have something to tell you–or rather, show you.”
I raised a skeptical brow. “Okay…?”
She turned toward the counter and called, “That was your cue, Eliza!”
I frowned, turning my head. “Eliza, what—”
Before I could finish, Eliza popped up from her seat, only to slam her head against the table in the process. She let out a yelp, raising her hand to rub the sore spot on her head. My eyes widened as I caught a flash of something shiny on her finger.
10:33 Sat, Jan 25
Chapter 170
80%
“Oh my goddess!” I squealed, jumping up from my seat and grabbing her hand before Isabellacould even start complaining.
“Eliza, Jeremy proposed?!” I squeaked, my excitement bubbling ever.
Eliza nodded, blushing as she extended her hand, letting me take a closer look at the simple but elegant ring. “It happened yesterday,” she said, smiling shyly. “We were leaving the counsel’s office, and he reached into his pocket for something. The ring just sort of… fell out. He panicked, and before I knew it he just blurted out, ‘Marry me.” She laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I didn’t even think. The answer was just… ye.”
Isabella snorted. “And I’m still annoyed you said yes to such a lazy proposal.”
“Okay, now you’re just being obnoxious,” I said, rolling my eyes. What crawled up your ass today?”
Eliza waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t mind her. She’s upset because Rickon’s sister came into town yesterday, and she doesn’t like her.”
“First of all,” Isabella interjected, raising a finger, “Veronica is a bitch. And second, everyone likes me. I’m a very likable person.”
My wolf practically rolled her eyes at that, and I laughed. “I don’t think calling her a bitch makes you more likable. Besides, people don’t just automatically dislike others. Maybe you accidentally gave her the wrong impression.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Isabella snapped. “Some women just are bitches. Hello? Elaine, Monica, Crystal? Did you ever do anything to them before they started hating on you? Speaking of which, the awful Threesome has been quiet lately.”
“Well,” I began cautiously, “Elaine is having a baby, and… well, we all know what happened with Crystal. I have no idea about Monica.”
up
“Exactly!” Isabella threw her hands. “And now two spawns of evil bringing t least Liam is decent. I hope-”
two more spawns of evil into the world. At
She stopped mid–sentence, turning back to Eliza, who was standing awkwardly, staring at us.
“Oh, crap. We’re sorry!”
I nodded apologetically. “We got carried away. Tell me everything. What happened after he proposed? What are the wedding plans? And please don’t tell me you’re pregnant, so you have to rush the wedding.”
Eliza laughed, shaking her head. “Of course not.”
“Good,” I said, shrugging. “Because everyone seems to be pregnant these days.”
Isabella poked my stomach suddenly, grinning. “Are you? From the looks of all that sex you’re having, I’d say yes.”
“Stop that!” I swatted her hand away. “I’m not pregnant.”
A bitter thought crossed my mind, one I didn’t voice. I wasn’t pregnant because I’d started taking birth control pills… because Grayson didn’t want children.
“So,” I said, forcing a smile. “Wedding plans?”
Eliza’s expression shifted nervously. “I don’t want it to seem like I’m taking advantage of our friendship, but… could you maybe ask Grayson to give me some time off? Jeremy’s family is having a get–together, and we’re going to announce the engagement then. I know Grayson’s already done a lot–letting Jeremy off the hook and helping with his mom’s treatment…”
10:33 Sat, Jan 25
GT
Chapter 170
80%
“Wait, what?” I asked, blinking in surprise.
Isabella jumped in before Eliza could respond. “Of course, she’ll ask him! In fact, she’ll ask him right now.”
1
1 opened my mouth to question both of them when I felt him. The energy shifted in the café, heads turning as his presence filled the room.
Grayson scanned the space, his sharp eyes locking onto mine immediately. His gaze narrowed briefly at Isabella before he crossed the room, pulling me to my feet with an ease that left me breathless.
“You’re very annoying, you know that?” he said to Isabella, his voice clipped.
Isabella just laughed.
“Congratulations, Eliza!” I called over my shoulder as Grayson pulled me outside, his grip firm but not harsh. The crisp morning air hit me, and I was suddenly grateful for the sweater Isabella had given me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, finally catching my breath.
Grayson stopped just outside the door, turning to face me. His expression softened slightly, though the irritation lingered. “I told you not to take that call.”
T
I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I know. Isabella was just being dramatic and annoying.” Then I hesitated before adding, “Actually, Eliza and Jeremy just got engaged. I was going to ask if you could give her a little time off…”
Grayson’s brow furrowed. “Engaged?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling. “It’s big news for her, and she’d like to attend a family gathering this weekend to share the news. I thought maybe…”
“I’ll take care of it,” he said, cutting me off.
Relief flooded me, and I stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you.”
His gaze softened further, and for a moment, the tension melted away. But then he glanced back toward the café, his jaw tightening. “Next time, don’t leave. Especially if it’s because of her.
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll confirm her story first if it’s real or just for dramatic effect next time.
He was about to say something else when his phone started ringing. Letting out a sigh, he reached into his pocket and pulled it out, glancing at the screen before turning his gaze back to me.
“It’s Maria. I have to take this,” he said, his tone unreadable.
I nodded, and he stepped away to answer the call. I tried not to listen–tried to focus on anything else–but with my heightened senses, it was impossible not to catch fragments of the conversation.
Maria’s voice was muffled, but a few words slipped through clearly. My body stiffened as the pieces fell into place, every nerve on edge. His voice was low and urgent, and he ended the call after just a few seconds.
He turned back to me, but I didn’t give him the chance to speak
“What does my family have to do with the curse?” I asked, my voice steady despite the sudden storm brewing inside me. “And what am I not supposed to know?”
