“Our traditions exist for a reason, Joseph. We’re Alphas. We have responsibilities.”
I laughed. “Screw tradition. If your ‘progressive community’ excludes scentless wolves, how progressive is it? Caroline as your Luna would show real inclusion.”
Draven went quiet, thinking about my words.
“What if she’s not my fated mate?” he finally asked. “Would you abandon the Moon Goddess’s plan for someone you fell for who wasn’t destined for you?”
I snorted. “Are you really asking a notorious playboy about true love? That’s like asking a vegetarian how to grill the perfect steak.”
“Answer it,” he insisted.
I stared into my drink. Images of Ava’s defiant eyes flashed through my mind.
“I don’t know. I’d like to think love is a choice, not just cosmic destiny or pack duties. But I’ve never felt strongly enough about anyone to find out.”
By 2 AM, we were both wasted. Draven crashed on his couch while I barely made it home after mind-linking my Beta Jared to come pick me up.
Friday morning was brutal. I stumbled into the office three hours late, my head pounding like a construction site.
Beta Jared took one look at me and shook his head. “You look like death warmed over.”
“Thanks for the update,” I grumbled, collapsing into my chair. “Coffee. Strong. Now.”
“That’s the third hangover this week,” he observed while pouring me a cup. “Alpha Draven still drowning his sorrows?”
“The man’s a mess. He loves her but his pride won’t let him admit it.”
Jared handed me painkillers. “Alpha Joseph, no offense, but are you really such a relationship expert?”
“I know what not to do,” I defended myself. “Sometimes that’s enough.”
The rest of Friday crawled by.
All I could think about was Ava and how I hadn’t managed to see her all week.
Antonio’s reports were promising-she seemed to enjoy our note exchange and was warming up to the idea of me.
By Saturday morning, my hangover had finally subsided enough to function.
I texted Antonio to meet me at the mall.
“We’re finally going to see her,” Dean said, his excitement flooding my mind.
“Don’t get too excited,” I warned him. “She already declined us once.”
She’s just careful. Smart. I like that about her.
I got to the mall early, pulled toward Grace’s Closet like a magnet. I’d look inside, maybe finally talk to her directly.
That’s when I saw them through the window. Eleanor and Caroline were inside, and Ava was helping them. The universe was finally giving me a break.
Ava’s POV
I was arranging a display of summer dresses when I heard familiar voices behind me. Turning around, I saw Eleanor and Caroline walking into Grace’s Closet, deep in conversation.
“Ava!” Eleanor waved excitedly. “Just the fashion expert we need.”
“Hey ladies,” I smiled, genuinely happy to see them. Though our friendship was relatively new, something about Eleanor’s warmth and Caroline’s quiet strength made me feel comfortable around them. “Shopping for something special?”
Caroline brushed her honey-blonde hair behind her ear. “Eleanor thinks I need a wardrobe upgrade for… reasons.”
“Not just any reasons,” Eleanor said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “We need something that will make a certain Alpha regret every life choice he’s ever made.”
I laughed, leading them toward our newest collection. “Let me guess, revenge dressing? That’s my specialty.”
As I pulled dresses in Caroline’s size, I couldn’t help commenting, “These Alpha males can be impossible, can’t they? All that power and authority makes them think they can toy with people’s feelings.”
“You have no idea,” Eleanor sighed. “They’re the worst combination of arrogant and alluring. Just when you think they’re different, they pull some high-handed dominance move.”
“Speaking from experience?” I asked, handing Caroline a blue dress that would complement her eyes perfectly.
“Let’s just say I’ve learned to be cautious,” Eleanor replied. “You should too, Ava. Don’t let those charming Alpha smiles fool you. They’re trained from birth to take what they want.”
Caroline disappeared into the fitting room with an armful of outfits while Eleanor and I waited outside.
I said quietly. “What exactly happened?”
Eleanor glanced toward the fitting room to make sure Caroline couldn’t hear. “Some Alpha didn’t trust her, called her a traitor, fired her, and threatened to blacklist her throughout Harbor Bay.”
My eyes widened. “That’s horrible!”
“The worst part is, she really cares for him. ” Eleanor shook her head. “Alphas think they can just-“
The fitting room door swung open, and Caroline stepped out in the blue dress. It hugged her curves perfectly, making her look both elegant and irresistible.
“Wow,” Eleanor and I said in unison.
“Turn around,” I instructed, and Caroline did a slow spin.
“Is it too much?” she asked uncertainly.
“It’s perfect,” I assured her. “Any man would-“
“Regret losing you for the rest of his miserable life,” a deep male voice finished my sentence.
My entire body tensed at the sound. That voice. Rich, smooth, with just a hint of arrogance. A scent hit me next-cedar and spice with something wild underneath. My knees nearly buckled as I turned to face the newcomer.
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