Chapter 44

Ava

“That was quite the dinner party,” Leonard said, breaking the silence between us. “I can’t remember the last time the Elders surprised the pack in such a way.”

I hummed in agreement, watching my feet as we walked to avoid meeting his warm gray eyes. “Yes, it was rather unprecedented,” I said in an unintentionally-absentminded tone.

There was another silence that fell between us, punctuated only by the sounds of the crickets chirping and our shoes crunching on the pathway. I kept my gaze averted, partially to avoid Leonard’s knowing stare but also because I was stuck in my own head.

I kept thinking about Chris and Lily together. Of course I knew that it was a suitable arrangement—and the Elders were wise to consider something like this. But it didn’t make it hurt any less, especially so soon after a date that had made us both temporarily forget the reality of the world.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed a bit upset there, at the end,” Leonard suddenly said. “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s going on in your head?”

My steps faltered slightly at his observation. I drew in a steadying breath, pasting on what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

“I was just feeling a bit under the weather, that’s all,” I said lightly, daring a glance up at his concerned expression. “It’s been a long day.”

Leonard regarded me for a few moments, his brows furrowing slightly as he seemed to weigh how much to push the issue. Finally, he let out a soft sigh and returned my smile with a solemn nod.

“If you say so,” was all he said. Not an outright dismissal of my excuse, but an acknowledgment that he wasn’t fully convinced, either. Still, he didn’t press.

Finally, we reached the end of my walkway, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I was home. At least I had that comfort. Leonard turned to face me, one hand resting easily on the ornate metal gate.

“Well,” he said at length. “I suppose I should say goodnight, then.” He paused, seeming to weigh his next words carefully. “Although I want you to know, Ava... you don’t need to keep whatever seems to be troubling you bottled up so tightly. I’m here to talk, if that’s what you need.”

His sincerity was appreciated, and it felt nice to know that someone had my back. He was a good man, really. But I wasn’t ready to admit my pain—maybe not even to myself.

Swallowing hard, I forced another tight smile and shook my head. “I appreciate that, Leonard. Truly,” I assured him. “But I promise, there’s nothing for you to worry over. The events tonight were just... a bit overwhelming, that’s all.”

His eyes searched my face for any sign of deception, and I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again as though thinking better of it.

“Alright,” he said simply. “Goodnight, Ava.”

“Goodnight, Leonard.”

I waited on the front stoop until his broad form melted into the shadows beyond before finally pushing open the cottage door and stepping inside. The dim, familiar interior seemed to close in around me, engulfing me in silence and solitude. It should have been a relief. But it wasn’t.

It wasn’t until the door latched firmly shut behind me that I allowed the first quiet sob to escape my lips.

…

The next morning came around sooner than I had hoped, warm sunlight washing through the open windows of the cottage before I felt ready to tackle the day. With a yawn and a stretch, I threw on my robe and headed downstairs for some coffee and breakfast.

But upon opening the fridge, I realized that I had forgotten to buy any groceries. Without even leaves to make tea, I decided to get dressed and head into town—it was Saturday, so the market was today.

The market was already bustling by the time I arrived, dressed in my usual flowy dress and sandals with my hair pulled back into a high bun. I perused the stalls, picking up dry and canned goods that I didn’t already have at home.

“Looks like it’s going to be a hot one today,” a small voice said beside me as I browsed the local selection of honeys.

“Yes, it is.” I pulled my head up, expecting to see a random pack member, only to feel my heart stop in my chest. A strikingly familiar face blinked back at me: the Omega who had her face nearly burned by Olivia.

“It’s you,” I breathed before I could stop myself.

The Omega, a pretty, young girl with mousey brown hair and big brown eyes, smiled at me. She still had a bandage covering her ear, but her bruises and cuts had mostly healed.

“I’m sorry,” I finally said, shaking my head as I extended my hand. “I’m afraid I never caught your name.”

“Alissa.” She shook my hand, bowing her head politely as she did so. “I’m so glad to run into you, Luna.”

I swallowed. “Acting Luna,” I reminded her. And not for much longer, I thought to myself.

Alissa paused, her delicate lips quirking downwards into a slight frown. “But you are her,” she whispered, leaning in conspiratorially.

I opened my mouth to retort, but no words would come other than: “Pardon?”

“The Luna,” Alissa whispered, still holding my hand. “The one from the prophecy. The one who will guide us.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what prophecy you’re referring to.”

Alissa blinked, then glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice even more. “We Omegas have prophecies of our own, you know,” she said. “And there is one that speaks of a Luna who will guide us all into a new era—a Luna who is rejected by few, but loved by many. The True Luna, we call her. The Goddess’s chosen.”

I furrowed my brow, truly at a loss for words. This was the first I had heard of any such thing; only Elders left behind prophecies when they passed away. There had never been any prophecy regarding a ‘True Luna’.

“Only the Elders are the Goddess’s chosen,” I said, gently pulling my hand away. “I appreciate the sentiment, but you’re mistaken.”

Alissa looked at me for a moment longer before murmuring, “If you say so, Luna.”

Before I could correct her again, she placed her hand over her heart, bowed her head toward me, and then slipped away into the crowd. I watched her go, blinking confusedly.

Curious, I thought to myself. I would have to do some research into these ‘Omega prophecies’ she had mentioned. Surely it was just an old wives’ tale, and besides… I wasn’t a Luna. I would never be a Luna. My role of Acting Luna would be over as soon as Chris took Lily as his mate, which was sure to happen soon.

Returning my attention to my shopping, I decided to brush off what had just happened and chalk it up to superstition paired with the poor girl’s trauma. I reached over to pick up and inspect a nearby jar of honey, only for another hand to quickly pull it away before I could.

Startled, I followed the hand that had taken the honey and looked up to see a familiar pair of green eyes gazing down at me.

“Chris,” I said, pulling back a bit as I felt my heart lurch in my chest. “What a surprise.”

Chris’s lips twitched ever so slightly, and he held the jar out to me. “Can we talk, Ava?”