Silence dropped over the room like a heavy blanket. Nelly set her mug down while Lily fidgeted with her napkin. Sarah? She couldn't care less.
"I'd advise you not to ntion anything of the sort to Alpha Lucas," Nelly finally said.
"Why not? It's the fastest way to get her heart ripped out—literally." Sarah rolled her eyes and took an exaggerated sip of her drink.
Ava ignored her. "I'm not asking Alpha Lucas. I'm asking you."
Nelly exchanged looks with the others, the kind that said, 'Do we really want to open this can of worms?' before sighing. "He once had a fated mate."
Ava sat straight up. "Had?"
"She was already mated to soone else. He did his best to get her to leave, but she refused. She had a daughter and didn't want to leave her behind. It drove him mad. He was like a man possessed by a thousand devils."
"He still is a man possessed by a thousand devils," Ava muttered.
Nelly chuckled. "Lucas wasn't always this... terrifying. He had a heart. But that rejection humiliated and broke him. That's when he changed. He went berserk. Cold-hearted. That's how he copes."
Lily sighed. "Which ans no Luna, ever."
Ava's mind whirred. If Lucas had once loved, he could love again. No matter how brutal he was, it ant he had the capacity. She didn't have to love him back. She just had to get to the top. From oga to concubine to Luna—she was going to be the most powerful woman in the Silver Pack.
A knock interrupted her scheming as a young female oga entered. "The Alpha has requested you all to prepare for tonight at the clubhouse. He expects to be entertained."
"Yesss!" Sarah practically vibrated in her chair.
Ava frowned. "Entertained? I don't understand."
"It ans, new girl... we are going dancing," Sarah smirked.
Nelly chuckled. "I'll leave that to you young ones. I'm far too old for such matters."
Ava grinned. This was the perfect opportunity. Tonight, she wouldn't et Alpha Lucas as prey. Tonight, she would be the hunter.
*****
The training yard was already occupied by Kade, shirtless again. Ava swallowed hard, trying not to stare.
"For soone without a wolf, you're pretty strong-headed," he mused. "Didn't think you'd co back today. Impressive."
Ava cocked an eyebrow. "I've been hit harder. Never by soone who swings like a girl, though."
Kade snorted. "Look at that. A masochist. Alpha Lucas must enjoy breaking you."
The re ntion of Lucas made her roll her eyes at herself. No distractions. No baby crushes on ridiculously attractive trainers.
"Today's session has to be short. I need ti to get ready for tonight."
Kade lifted an eyebrow. "What's happening tonight?"
"The Alpha sent a ssage about the clubhouse."
"Oh. That." He smirked. "Then we don't have to train today."
"You said I have you for a month. I can't waste ti."
"Fair enough." He shrugged. "I'll go easy on you today."
Ava threw him a skeptical look. "Really?"
He tossed a wooden sword at her. This ti, she caught it midair. The corner of his lips twitched into a small, approving smile before he launched an attack with precise, calculated steps, aiming to confuse her. She blocked, but his blade still landed on her arm.
"You said you'd go easy!" she snapped.
"You should be used to lying to you by now." Kade grinned.
"Asshole."
He growled—or rather, his wolf did.
Ava ignored the golden spark in his eyes and adjusted her stance. She mimicked his movents before lunging, this ti managing to land a hit.
"Better," he admitted, "but predictable."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kade rounded up their session. Just as Ava turned to leave, he called after her.
"Ava?"
She turned. "Yes?"
"Why are you doing this? Why not just wait for your wolf?"
"Because I want to." She shrugged.
Kade studied her for a mont. "You're fighting for sothing. I know that kind of rage."
"And what if I am?" Her voice was sharp. "I'm tired of being the butt of everyone's jokes. Tired of being a punching bag. I'm going to be powerful so no one can mock again."
Sothing flashed in Kade's eyes—respect, maybe. "Then stop fighting like soone trying to survive and start fighting like soone who wants to win. See you tomorrow."
Ava left, not entirely sure what he ant.
*****
Standing outside Alpha Lucas's office, Ava took a deep breath. She needed money if she was going to dress the part tonight. She had to look stunning, impossible to ignore. The risk was worth it.
She knocked.
"Enter!" His voice was deep.
She stepped inside. Lucas sat behind his desk, watching her with mild amusent.
"Ah, my little virgin girl." He smirked. "What do you want?"
Ava squared her shoulders, pushing aside her nerves. She thought about how Sarah swayed her hips and attempted to do the sa as she walked forward.
"I heard about the entertainnt tonight," she purred. "I want to dress for the occasion."
"And?"
"I need money."
Lucas leaned back, his gaze flicking down her body.
Ava's finger traced the edge of his desk as she bent forward, letting her oversized blouse dip just enough.
Lucas exhaled, amusent lacing his smirk. He leaned in slightly, his eyes dropping into her blouse.
"You'll have to try harder if you want to tempt ."
"I wasn't—"
"Oh, you were. And you're not half bad at it, either." He chuckled. "But let's be clear—I take won when I want them. This little performance? Painful to watch."
Ava dropped the act imdiately, her lips pressing into a thin line. Well, that hadn't gone as planned.
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