11. Ava
When some of the pack enter the house a few hours later, I timidly loiter by the stairs. My eyes focus on Lucy as she talks with Phia. I remember her from my day in the rain. Lucy spots me from across the hallway and approaches.
“Hey, Ava,” she says warmly. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” I admit.
Lucy’s smile is warm and makes my bones relax. “I’m just about to make some lunch in Jaxon’s private kitchen. Would you like to join me?”
My head nods before I register I’m doing it. “Yes, please.”
Her expression lights up, and I can tell she’s trying her hardest not to overreact. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to her one-on-one. I think about what Gemma said, and this is progress, even if it seems tiny to some.
I follow her into the empty kitchen. I’m relieved Jaxon has private areas for his family. “Remind me to tidy up after lunch,” Lucy murmurs. “Bash was almost banned from coming in here this morning.”
“Why?”
Lucy glances at me. “Because Jaxon cannot stand mess. He likes everything tidy, the sides wiped down, and no plates lying around. He takes it pretty seriously, especially in his private kitchen.”
“Doesn’t everyone want that?”
She snorts. “Not in the way Jaxon does. He sees a crumb and loses his head.”
“Where is he today?”
“He’s still out,” she says as she walks towards the fridge. “Did you need him?”
I shake my head. “Just curious.”
“He’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” I whisper as I settle on the stool by the counter.
My eyes follow Lucy as she walks around the kitchen, preparing food for our lunch. “How are things?” she asks.
“They’re okay,” I admit. Nothing more or less than okay. I guess I’m just surviving right now.
After my episode in Jaxon’s office, I haven’t stopped thinking about the way he knew how to calm me down. I’ve never come around so quickly. It’s like the sound of his voice was an antidote to all the fears that echoed in my head.
Then I remember the picture frame I smashed.
“Lucy,” I breathe. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Mmm,” she nods. “Sure can.”
I let my mouth hang open as I find the words. The question is simple, and I’m not sure why I care—my curiosity is getting the better of me. “Who is the woman in the picture with Jaxon in his office?
She stops what she’s doing immediately and looks at me. “I–” she starts. “Uh. I want to tell you, Ava, but it should come from Jaxon. He wants to tell you, and he will, but he wants the time to be right, for him and for you.”
For him and for me?
“I haven’t seen her around,” I blurt.
“Because she’s not,” Lucy sighs. “I don’t want to say any more. It’s Jaxon’s story to tell.”
“Okay.”
Lucy’s head moves awkwardly, and she scratches the back of her head. “Actually, Ava, I have something I need to admit to you.”
My eyes flick between hers as she moves closer. “You do?”
The heat across my body spikes. “I’m not just a werewolf.” She runs her tongue across her lip. “I’m also a witch. I have the ability to see into people’s pasts. I can usually control it, but other times, I can’t.”
I stay silent as guilt washes over her eyes. Tightness forms in my throat.
“The day we brought you here, I couldn’t control my powers. I saw things I shouldn’t have seen, and I’m sorry. I carry so much guilt with me.” Her voice heaves, and tears sting my eyes. “I didn’t tell anyone else what I saw. I only mentioned to Jaxon a name because we wanted you to be safe. I’m so sorry.”
My entire body shakes. She saw. She saw what I went through.
Lucy steps closer, but she doesn’t touch me or suffocate my space. “I know it was a complete invasion of privacy. If I could change it, I would.”
“Y-you saw?”
She nods slowly. “Not everything. Parts.”
My head pounds at the confession. What exactly did she see? A strange wave churns in my gut. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault.”
I shrug helplessly. My entire soul was on display.
Goddamn this world I don’t understand.
“Why didn’t you tell Jaxon?”
“Because it’s not my story to tell.” Her voice is gentle, but I can’t meet her eyes. “And I understand why you don’t trust us. But I’m proud of you. I’m proud of your strength.”
I haven’t heard those words in a long, long time.
The hairs on the back of my neck begin to stand, and I know we’re amongst company right now. “Hey.” Jaxon’s voice is deep. “You guys okay?”
My head lifts to meet his gaze across the kitchen. I know tears are still resting in my lash line, but I don’t have the ability to push them away. A breath fills my lungs, and instead of being filled with dread, it’s replaced with a lighter emotion I didn’t expect.
“Yeah.” Lucy nods and places a hand on her hip. “We were just talking about my wedding.”
The change of conversation is quick, and I’m relieved, but I still gawk at Lucy. “You’re getting married?” I glance down at the beautiful sapphire and diamond ring on her finger.
“Yes,” she hisses through a forced grin. “That’s literally what we were just talking about.”
Jaxon flicks his eyes between us suspiciously, and I realise I need to play along because I don’t want to bring up our past conversation. “Yes.” I nod in agreement. “When is it?”
“A few months yet.” She busies herself with lunch again. “And, of course, you’re invited, Ava. We could go into town and find you a dress.”
I find myself blinking at her suggestion.
“Easy, Luce,” Jaxon cuts in. “One day at a time, right?”
I’m thankful to hear him speak because he’s right. I didn’t think I’d be invited to her wedding. We barely know each other. My eyes focus on Jaxon as he folds his broad arms over his chest. Only now have I really noticed how tall he is, but his presence doesn’t necessarily make the room smaller.
“How did he propose?” I ask genuinely.
Jaxon groans as he inches closer to the counter and rolls his eyes. “You did not want to ask that.”
I study his playful features as his dark blue eyes settle on mine. He offers me a small smile, but I’m all for listening to the story. “This is my favourite story to tell.” She grins back at me. “Basically–”
Jaxon shakes his head and flashes his large hands. “Alright, before you get into this story for the hundredth time, I’m going to take a shower.”
“Fine.” She waves him off. “Go.”
I swallow and look back at him, then he gives me a simple nod and leaves.
“So, Sebastian had been so quiet to me the week he was planning on proposing, and I thought something was wrong. Turns out he was just nervous.” She smiles, and I try to replicate a small one. “He took me to this beautiful little village near the seaside. The sun was shining, and the sand was golden. We took our shoes off and took a little dip. It was just us, and I didn’t expect a thing.”
I prop my hand on my fist to listen in. “He said he wanted to take some pictures of me against the sun as it started to set. The sky was lit up in the most beautiful colours of orange and red. Then, when I turned around, he was on one knee and asked me to marry him.”
She presses a hand to her heart, remembering the moment. I’m pleased for her. I’m glad someone gets their happy ever after.
I can’t remember the last time I was happy…
“I know it doesn’t sound all flashy and whatnot, but it was perfect. It was just us. We could hear the waves behind us. Oh, my. It is my favourite day ever.” Lucy glances down at her stunning ring.
“That sounds lovely,” I admit. “Peaceful.”
She grins in my direction. “It was. I’m so excited to marry him.”
“He’s your mate?”
“Yes.” She continues beaming. “Soulmate. Fated mate. My absolute everything.”
My heart pounds for her. “How long ago did you meet?”
“Around five years ago.”
“How long did it take for you to fall in love with him?” I ask before I can truly think it through.
Lucy’s eyes glimmer in my direction. “Not long. Obviously, our wolves were inseparable, but we had an instant connection neither of us could deny. But I know it’s about getting to know them as a person.”
Her outburst of confessions makes my chest twinge. Is that how mates are truly meant to be? The kind of love you read about in books and see in movies—the kind where you genuinely cannot live without the other.
“I’m pleased for you,” I say quietly. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
“And you, too, Ava. You will find your happiness soon.”