41. Jaxon
Ava’s strength over the last few weeks has improved vastly, and I can see the drive in her eyes when she joins in with pack training. At first, she was apprehensive, but now, she’s in her element.
I stand back and watch as she runs through the trees. She digs her fingers into a large boulder before climbing to the top and jumping down onto a smaller rock. Her feet move quickly and every choice she makes is with precision.
Sweat trickles down her back and off the edge of her jaw. I adore seeing her like this—with focused eyes and eager to outdo herself from the last training session. She’s pushing herself out of her comfort zone and challenging her body with new skills.
Kayden guides Ava through her obstacle course while encouraging her as she succeeds in every direction. She starts to climb a tree before swinging from a branch and landing directly in the middle of a stream. The water splashes up her legs, and she takes a large breath as her lips spread into a bright grin.
“Yes, Ava!” Kayden claps loudly. “I told you you could do it. That was fast as hell.”
She releases a long laugh and places a hand on her hip. “Thanks,” she rasps. “I tried.”
Lucy cheers alongside her, raising her arms in the air to clap with Kayden. “My Goddess, you are literally incredible. Your stamina is out of this world, Ava.”
That smile remains on Ava’s face as she nods. Her skin is flushed, but I see the pride burning in her eyes. Kayden gently pats her on the back. “Don’t push it anymore,” he warns her. “Take tomorrow off. Rest. Your muscles need time to repair.”
She frowns. “But I like training.”
“Alright, teacher”s pet.” He releases a laugh with a subtle wink. “You might be one of my best students, but you’re coming off a little needy, and it’s not a good look.”
Kayden’s playfulness makes Ava shove his shoulder. “Needy, my ass.”
He laughs. “But seriously, you need to rest, and I personally don’t want Jaxon beheading me for burning you into the ground. You did good, but I’m looking for a personal best next time.”
“A personal best? You said that was fast!”
He shrugs teasingly. “Could be a smidge faster.”
She rolls her eyes. “Alright, fine. Next time. You’re on.”
“You’re on.” He holds a hand out to her, and she shakes it. “Thank you for training with me.”
“Thank you for not killing me,” she says with a smile.
“We’ve always got next time.” He points a finger at her.
I narrow my eyes at my Beta as he chuckles deeply. “No jokes about death, please. Thanks,” I murmur.
Kayden tuts with a smug smile. “Spoilsport.”
Lucy flashes Ava a thumbs up before she turns with Kayden to start walking in the direction of the house. I step closer to her as she looks up at me, her chest returning to a gentle rise.
“I’m proud of you,” I state simply.
“Me, too. I want to do well for the pack.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Ava, you have nothing to prove. To them. To me. To anyone. You should be doing this for yourself, not for anyone else.”
“I am.” She nods. “But I’d like your pack to look at me with at least a bit of hope.”
My hand stretches to take her chin between my thumb and index finger. “Trust me, they’re impressed. We’re all impressed. I love your drive and determination and the fact you always show up for yourself. It is so damn attractive, and I’m lucky to have you as my Luna.”
A deep pink blush bursts across her cheeks. “I’m lucky to have you, too.”
“Since you came here, I can sense there is a new atmosphere within the pack.”
“Good or bad?”
“Good, of course.”
Ava smiles to herself. “How so?”
“I guess I might have been a little harsh on my pack, even before Julia. When I became Alpha, I was thrown into it. I wasn’t a very good leader, but with you by my side, things seem clearer. For the first time, I feel like we’re really forming together as a pack, and I believe that’s down to you.”
“You can’t give me all the credit.” She shakes her head.
I shrug once. “Things have shifted since I met you, and it’s obvious in the satisfaction of the pack. Not only did you help me get my wolf back, but you also integrate yourself into the pack where you can, you want to help others, and you want to learn about our culture. We all see it and appreciate your efforts.”
“Well, it’s clear they enjoy seeing their Alpha more,” Ava says. “Respect goes both ways. You knew you weren’t giving them your all while you were grieving, and you decided to turn that around. You’ve worked hard to prove to your pack you’re going to be the best you can from now on.”
I nod. “Agreed. I never want to let them down again. I never want to let you down either.”
“You could never let me down.”
My lips meet the top of her head.
“Can I ask you a question?” she asks.
We both start walking back to the house, the sun glittering through the trees. “You don’t need to ask.” I laugh softly.
“Oh, well.” Her throat tenses. “I know you’ve told me briefly before, but to officially be Luna, we need to mate with each other?”
“Technically, yes. But together, we can decide what it truly means.”
She licks her lips. “And the mating process, we have to–”
The words die in her throat as she speaks, and I slip my hand into hers, gripping onto her fingers tightly. “Whenever you’re ready. There is no rush. And if you don’t want to, then we won’t.”
“And you mark me?”
“Yes.”
“Like actually biting into my neck with your teeth?” Her eyes widen.
I release a low chuckle. “Yes.”
Ava runs a hand along her neck, touching the delicate skin. “Really?”
“It’s normally incredibly pleasurable. You would mark me, too.”
She turns towards me as we continue walking. “How can I mark you if I’m not a wolf?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But we can work something out, I promise. I’ll do my research and make sure whatever we do, it’s safe for you. I would never want to put you in danger. I don’t know how your human body would take a mark from a wolf, and I don’t want to put you at any kind of risk.”
“I know. I trust you.”
Those three words set my world alight in the best way. I give her fingers a squeeze before bringing them up to my lips for a kiss. “Good,” I whisper against her skin with a smile.
Once we get closer to the pack house, I spot Evan sitting outside with his two guards. He’s staring down at the patio floor with his shoulders slumped. “There’s Evan,” Ava comments, spotting him at the same time. “How’s he settling in?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
Ava shoots me a look. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I told the guards to look after him. I’ve got more important things to deal with.”
She walks ahead of me. “Let’s invite him for lunch.”
“Ava,” I call out to her as she looks over her shoulder at me.
“I’m capable of making my own choices, Jax,” she murmurs. “I owe him my life. I want to get to know him better.”
Before I can protest, she approaches him and invites him inside for some food. At first, he’s concerned by the offer, but soon accepts and they walk into the kitchen.
I follow and glance at the situation. “Come take a seat, Evan.” Ava pats one of the stools. His emotionless blue eyes flick to her hand before he sits down hesitantly. “How are you today?”
“I’m okay, thanks.” He looks lost as his hands fumble in his lap.
Ava’s eyes cut to mine and widen subtly. I sigh and turn to the guards before dismissing them while he’s having lunch with us. If it makes Ava happy, then I guess I’ll have to deal with it.
“I know what happened with your pack…but do you have any other family?” she asks him.
Evan shakes his head slowly. “I don’t.”
Ava’s lips curve downwards. “I’m sorry for what happened to them.”
“He deserved it. They deserved it. You don’t need to apologise. What they did was unforgivable, and they belong in hell.” His words are sharp.
“I know,” Ava whispers. “But he was still your family.”
His mouth presses together, but he doesn’t say anything more. “I’m glad I’m not there with him anymore, but at the same time, I have nothing.”
“You have us now, Evan.” Ava offers.
I turn to her with a puzzled look. What are you doing?
Her face falls into a frown, but she still doesn’t look at me. He saved my life, Jaxon. The least we can do is help him. Did you not hear him? He has nothing, no one. He’s innocent. I know you’re playing the protective mate, but he is not dangerous.
I’m not playing anything. I am the protective mate. I’m sorry if it comes across as overbearing, but I can’t dissociate him from his brother as easily as you expect me, I shoot back, and she finally meets my gaze.
“That’s a nice thing to say, Ava, but I don’t want to be a burden.” He forces a sorrowful smile.
Her head shakes. “You would never be a burden. Where would you even go?”
Evan shrugs after thinking for a moment. His home is destroyed. He has nothing. A pang of guilt hits my chest, but I still have my walls up just in case. I’m not taking any chances.
“How old are you, Evan?”
“Seventeen.”
I merely nod before joining Ava at the counter. We start preparing lunch as I listen to Ava make small talk with Evan, but he’s quiet and doesn’t say much back. I imagine myself in his shoes—the isolation, loneliness, and fear of not knowing where you belong.
Ava places down a sandwich in front of him as we sit around the kitchen counter. Talk to him, she urges me.
I sigh and chew on my food. And what would I say?
I dunno. Guy stuff?
My brow quirks in her direction. Guy stuff, huh? And what would that entail?
I don’t know. Make something up. Please.
She stares me down, but I smile back at her with amusement.
“So, Evan,” I say, my voice catching both of them by surprise. “Do you have a mate?”
“No. I don’t.”
I study his face and glum expression. “Oh. That’s a shame. I’m sure she’ll come along soon.”
Evan clears his throat and looks to Ava. “Actually, I–” He pauses and pinches the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “I don’t want to be mated to a girl.”
“What?”
“I’m–” he sighs as if he can’t get the words out. “I’m gay.”
Oh, Goddess. I’m hit with a wave of regret for assuming.
“Oh,” I murmur quickly.
“Yeah…” he trails off and itches the back of his head. “I hope that’s okay with you guys. I never told Lucien because I knew what they would have done to me, but things are different here, and I don’t want to hide anymore. I’m tired of pretending to be someone I’m not.”
Tears glisten in his eyes, and Ava leans over to take his hand. “We support everyone and anyone here. Whoever they like, love, want to be with, that’s none of anyone else’s business,” Ava states with sincere eyes. “Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share it with us.”
“This is completely different to the hellhole you saved me from,” he sniffles. “I know I have restrictions here, but I’ve never felt freer.”
Ava’s chest quivers, and I look at her. Okay, maybe I’ve been too harsh on the poor kid. Maybe he deserves a new start. He’s only seventeen—he’s got his whole life ahead of him.
“I’ll take away the guards,” I blurt. “You can have more freedom within the house, but I’ll assign someone to watch over you.”
“Who?” Ava asks.
I chew on my lip for a moment. “Sam. Sam can look after you. He owes me.”
Evan blinks and a tear rolls down his cheek before he wipes it away. “Thank you,” he mumbles. “I will do whatever I can to help out. Anything you need. I will be here. Thank you again, Alpha.”
I nod at him and point to his half-eaten sandwich. “Finish your lunch. You need nourishment.”
He immediately digs in, and Ava beams at me from across the counter. Thank you, she mindlinks me. He needs us.
One slip up and he’s gone.
I know. He deserves a chance to change his life.
My eyes cut back to Evan as he munches on his sandwich with a relieved smile on his face. I exhale a quiet sigh. I never thought I’d be taking in a homeless rogue, but it’s Ava who is making me softer by the day. This is one of the reasons I need her by my side. She balances me out. But at the same time, I hope nothing happens that will make me regret this.