27. Ava
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for the first dance. Lucy and Sebastian, please find your way to the dance floor.”
A loud cheer erupts throughout the room. My eyes latch onto Lucy as she bounds towards the dance floor excitedly. Sebastian soon follows, both grinning at each other like they’ve won the lottery.
In their eyes, they definitely have.
Lucy wraps her arms around Sebastian’s neck as the music starts, and they gently sway to the beautiful song playing over the speakers. I watch in awe at their admiration for each other. After a while, people begin to join them with their partners, family members, and friends.
Jaxon’s hand slides into mine gently as he tugs at my fingers. “Dance with me?”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’d love to.”
He leads us over to the dance floor with the others, and our bodies mould together to move to the music. I place my hands over his shoulders as his arms wrap around my waist. My head softly falls onto his chest, and I smile to myself at this peaceful moment.
Jaxon hugs me closer, dipping his head down to leave a kiss to my crown. My eyes focus on Lucy and Sebastian across the dance floor. The way they look at each other, laugh with each other, be with each other—it’s magical.
Every moment they share is so raw and emotional. Real.
It’s like the world has slowed down just for them, to allow them to devour this moment for a little while longer. It’s more than heartwarming; it feels life-changing to see their love in the most honest form.
Whatever they have, I want.
They must love each other more than anything in this world.
“They do.” Jax’s voice interrupts my thoughts, which causes me to jump.
I look up at him and his pretty blue eyes that are analysing me. “In my head again,” I say breathlessly. “Those lessons aren’t working.”
If I’m being honest, I haven’t thought about my shields because of how secure I am in his arms. Protecting your mind is a lot harder than I thought, but Jaxon reminds me it’ll get easier—soon, it’ll be something my body does by default. But right now, I don’t mind if he hears them.
“You were projecting hard.” His hand cups my cheek. “You might want what they have, but trust me, ours will be in a league of its own.”
I forget to breathe for a second as I take in his words. I expect to be overwhelmed, but I’m not. Instead, I’m flooded with reassurance, reminding me I’m in safe hands and not just the physical kind.
My head snuggles into his chest once more, and he holds me tight. Both of us understand we don’t want to let each other go. I can’t quite grasp how we got to this point in our…relationship? But I can’t fight what feels right, even if I’m still finding my feet.
I know nothing between us is rushed like Jaxon said before—the ball is always in my court. There is no pressure, and that definitely helps me sleep at night.
When the song is over, everyone cheers for the bride and groom, and they share a kiss for the whole room to see. Then, Lucy starts running towards the DJ and grabs a microphone. “Hello, everyone!” she yells with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. “Thank you so much for coming to celebrate with us. I want to say how grateful we are for each and everyone of you allowing us to share this perfect day with you.”
A few people raise their glasses, and others cheer. “The night is still young, and we will make the most of the last few hours we have left! But if you’re already wondering when the next wedding is going to be, don’t worry because my brother, Jaxon, and his beautiful mate, Ava, will most definitely be the next to tie the knot.”
I gawk at her words. Marriage? That is the last thing on my mind.
Jaxon must sense how tense I’ve become as he dips his head down to the shell of my ear, squeezing my hand in support. “Chill, baby. We are taking it one day at a time. Alright? Our pace. No one else”s. Lucy is getting ahead of herself.”
I look up at him sheepishly as my body trembles. He reaches to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “Okay,” I whisper.
Music starts booming over the speakers again, and people rush to the dance floor with their drinks. Lucy worms her way through the sea of people to get to us, that pristine smile still in place and a champagne flute in hand. “Ava, come dance with me!”
“Uhh–” I turn to Jaxon.
He gives me an encouraging smile. “Go. Have fun. I’ll find you later.”
I merely nod before Lucy drags me away to the front, where her bridesmaids are dancing. “Congratulations! I feel like I haven’t seen you all day.”
“That’s because you haven’t! I wanted to spend some time with you.” She grabs my hand and starts moving her hips to the music.
I stare at her for a long moment because I’ve forgotten how to dance—especially without a drop of alcohol. But then I remind myself I am free. Free to do whatever I want, feel whatever I want, and be whatever I want.
So my body starts moving automatically like muscle memory. I close my eyes and move my hips to the song. Even the smallest things, like dancing to cheesy music, make me feel alive—something I have missed deeply.
When I open my eyes, Jax’s gaze bores into mine from the other side of the dance floor. I glance away before I become embarrassed. Why should I? Movement of the body feels incredible, liberating, and empowering. I might not have many skills in the dancing department, but it’s what it makes you feel inside that matters.
Jaxon’s stare is like laser beams, and my body lights up at his attention. I glance down and turn my back to him.
Quit looking at me; you’re putting me off, I say through our mindlink.
His laugh vibrates through my head like a deep harmony. Oh, baby. You’ve got moves.
How can he make me blush from across the room? I try my absolute hardest not to let a smile creep up on my face. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I finally turn around to face where he’s standing. Those eyes are on me in an instant.
Stop.
Another smooth laugh, something I always find so incredibly comforting.
You’re still looking at me, I add.
I’m sorry. My eyes just naturally gravitate to you. He wears a proud smirk.
My entire face burns up. I turn my attention back to the girls, and a song I remember from years ago starts playing—though I don’t exactly know the words. Lucy holds my hand as she sings to me and then throws me into a hug by surprise. “Oh, Ava. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re in our lives,” she murmurs before pulling back and gently gripping onto my forearms. “I’m so glad that one day you’re going to be my sister-in-law!”
A hesitant laugh escapes my chest. “Yeah,” I rasp. “That caught me off-guard a little.”
Lucy’s face falls with sudden realisation. “Oh, my Goddess. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable! I love seeing you guys together. Honestly, you’re so perfect. I don’t think you realise.”
“It’s okay,” I say with a smile. “I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“Weddings get me so excited. I love love!” she yells.
My lips spread with enthusiasm. “I’m so glad I met you, too, Lucy.” I’m engulfed in another hug before I pull myself away, in desperate need of five minutes to myself. “I’m gonna go grab some water.”
She nods before turning towards Phia and Grace. I push my way out of the crowd and approach the bar, and then lean my elbows on the counter and wait patiently to be served.
“Hey, Ava.” A soft voice appears beside me.
My head tilts towards Kayden as he approaches the bar. My heart skips a beat as I rest my eyes on his face. I thought my mouth tasted like stinging nettles before; they taste like paper cuts now.
“Kayden,” I murmur. “Hi.”
I ball my hands into fists to stop them from shaking and force a smile. I don’t want to seem rude, but it’s obvious that my body language is off.
“I was wondering if we could have a chat?” His voice seems hopeful and harmless.
I swallow back the lump in my throat. “Sure.”
“Great.” He nods. “What do you want to drink?”
“Um, just water. Please.” I say as I play with my fingers. Kayden notices, and I freeze.
Once I have my water and Kayden takes a drink of his own, we make our way to an empty table at the back of the room. I sit down silently and watch Kayden as he perches on the chair beside me.
“I wanted to speak with you properly,” he begins. “I feel like we’ve had some bad encounters, and I would never ask why you act this way around me. I couldn’t even try to imagine what you have been through. But I want you to feel comfortable around me, and I don’t want to see you almost pass out again. That scared the shit out of me.”
My lips press together. “I wanted to let you know that I’m glad you are in a safer place now.” His gentle brown eyes are giving me nothing but empathy. “Nothing will happen whilst you’re with Jaxon and the pack. We look after our own, and you’re one of us. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. If you want me to leave you alone for the foreseeable, I will.”
I take a moment to gather my thoughts. “I know, Kayden. I trust you’re a good person. It’s…it’s just hard to convince my defence mechanisms that. When I see you, I see him, the only other Beta I’ve known. Everything comes back to me, and I can’t help it. It’s hard to block it out, but I”ve been trying. I’ve been speaking to Gemma about dissociating things. It’s worked with Jaxon so far. I mean, I’ve managed to have this conversation with you without completely freaking out, so it’s going well.”
A look of appreciation covers his face. “You are one strong girl, Ava. I think that’s something you haven’t heard a lot of.”
My lips part to reply, but Jaxon’s appearance makes the hairs on my arm stand. “What’s going on?” His deep voice is full of worry.
I turn in my chair to see his tall frame. His forehead pinches, and his concerned gaze flicks between us before eventually settling on my face.
“We’re just talking,” Kayden admits.
Jaxon’s brow arches. “About what?”
“About being more comfortable in Kayden’s presence,” I admit. “Trying not to associate him with my past.”
Are you okay? Do you need to go outside? We can leave now. Jax’s voice is in my head in an instant.
I’m okay, honestly. I know I’m safe with him. He wouldn’t be your Beta if you didn’t trust him.
We hold each other”s gaze for another moment. “O-kay,” Kayden says as he slaps his knee and stands. “Whilst you two mindlink about me, I’m going to find my mate.”
“You have a mate?” I ask in surprise.
“No,” he deadpans. “But maybe by some form of magic, she might be here. I’m sick of seeing everyone all lovey-dovey together. It’s sickening.”
This earns a laugh from Jaxon. “All in good time, my friend.”
Kayden rolls his eyes. “Or no time. I’m going to die alone. Fact.” His gaze moves between us rapidly. “You heard it here first.”
Jaxon ruffles his head teasingly, and it’s the first time I’ve seen their friendship up close. Before, I believed their relationship to be strictly professional, given they run the pack. “Get off me,” Kayden swats him away with a muscly arm.
“If it doesn’t work out, I suppose you could always go for a human,” he suggests.
Kayden sharply breathes through his nose. “Ava doesn’t count. She’s actually your mate.”
“Just an option, bud.” Jaxon shrugs.
A groan floats from Kayden’s mouth before he fixes his eyes on mine. “Have any cute friends from home, Ava? I’m getting desperate. Actually don’t answer that. I might be desperate, but I’m not that desperate.”
“Goddess, am I getting the impression that you could be a romantic at heart?”
Kayden scoffs. “I am not discussing this with you.”
“Holy shit, you are.”
My lips curl into a smile at their exchange.
“Whatever,” Kayden deadpans.
“Don’t lose faith,” Jaxon says again. “Like I said, I’m sure she’ll come when you least expect it.”
Then he winks in my direction, and my cheeks flush.
If I could remember my friends, that would be a good start, but I can’t.
Jaxon takes my hand as he sits opposite me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I flash him a small smile. “Just needed five minutes.”
“Want to get some fresh air again?”
I nod. “Sure.”