Ava’s POV
"Wine!" Eleanor announced dramatically as I stepped through her door that evening. "Lots and lots of wine. You look like you need it."
I gratefully accepted the glass she thrust into my hands. "You have no idea."
Nina and Ruby were already sprawled on Eleanor’s plush sectional, and Kyle was mixing sothing in the kitchen that slled amazing. Caroline hadn’t arrived yet.
"So, Alpha Hottie is still on his apology tour?" Ruby asked, patting the spot next to her.
I sank down onto the couch. "Every day this week. I don’t get it. He can have any woman he wants."
"Maybe he wants you," Nina said, twirling a strand of her hair. "Ever think of that?"
"Trust , he doesn’t know what he wants," I replied, taking a large gulp of wine. "If he really wanted to be with , he wouldn’t have betrayed . Multiple tis."
Eleanor consoled . "I condemn his cheating behavior first and foremost, but I have to say, he’s been living in hell during this ti. Well, n always only learn to cherish what they have after they lose it."
"Speaking of n," Kyle called from the kitchen, "Dominic asked about you again, Eleanor."
Ruby leaned in with a gossipy grin. "How do you even know that? Are you still in touch with Paul?"
Kyle smiled. "Luke’s pretty jealous about it, anyway. Though I think Dominic definitely can’t compete with your beloved prince Nate."
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Tell about it. When will that boy learn I’m not interested?"
I couldn’t help but laugh. "The curse of being fabulous," raising my glass.
The doorbell rang, and Eleanor went to answer it. Caroline burst in, practically vibrating with excitent.
"Ladies, I have huge news!" she announced, her eyes sparkling. "Draven officially invited to join Storm Valley Pack! Again!The ceremony is next week!"
The room erupted in cheers and congratulations.
"That’s amazing!" Eleanor exclaid. "I knew it was coming, but still!"
"This is a big deal," Kyle said, coming in from the kitchen with a tray of appetizers. "Pack Joining Ceremony don’t happen often, especially for soone who wasn’t born into the pack."
Caroline bead. "And that’s not all. Draven said he’ll invite Alphas and Betas from all the major renowned packs to attend. And I want all of you to co with . As my guests."
"Seriously?" Ruby squealed. "At Storm Valley territory?"
"Draven said I could invite my closest friends," Caroline explained. "You guys have been my support system since I moved here. I want you there."
"Count in!" Nina said imdiately.
"Absolutely," Eleanor agreed.
"Wouldn’t miss it," Kyle added.
I remained silent, staring into my wineglass.
Caroline turned to , her smile fading slightly. "Ava? I really hope you’ll co too."
I shifted uncomfortably. "I... I don’t know if I should. These kinds of ceremonies... they’re not really for people like ."
"What do you an ’people like you’?" Caroline asked, sitting next to .
"I’m from a tiny pack no one’s heard of. I don’t have a wolf. I’d be completely out of place at so high-profile pack event with Alphas and important wolves from all over."
Caroline took my hand. "Ava, if anyone understands feeling out of place, it’s . I was an outcast in my own pack because I don’t have a scent."
"And I’m too ’aggressive’ as a she-wolf for most traditional wolves," Eleanor added.
"See? We’re all misfits in so way," Caroline continued. "That’s why we found each other here in Harbor Bay. This city is trying to build a community where those old prejudices don’t matter as much."
"Besides," Nina nudged with her shoulder, "you’ll have us right beside you the whole ti."
"And Joseph will probably be there," Ruby added with a sly grin.
I groaned. "That’s supposed to convince to go?"
"It could be your chance to talk to him," Caroline suggested. "Or completely ignore him in front of everyone. Either way, it’s power."
I couldn’t help but smile at that. "When you put it that way..."
"Plus," Kyle chid in, "this is a great opportunity to learn more about wolf society. You’ve always said you felt disconnected from that part of your heritage."
She had a point. Despite growing up in a pack, I’d always felt like an outsider looking in. Maybe seeing a real pack ceremony would help understand the werewolf world better.
"Okay," I finally agreed. "I’ll co."
Caroline hugged tightly. "Thank you! This ans so much to ."
As the others chatted excitedly about what to wear and who might be there, my mind drifted to Grandma. Had Mom found her? I’d sent several more ssages throughout the week with no response.
My friends were all so good to , should I share my secrets with them? I’d never had friendships like this before, people who genuinely cared about my wellbeing and wanted to include in their lives. Growing up in a small pack, I’d always been on the outside looking in, the quiet girl who kept to herself.
But here were Caroline, Eleanor, and the others, treating like family. They deserved honesty, didn’t they? Yet how could I possibly explain that my grandmother might have been taken by werewolves, that my mother was a witch hiding dangerous secrets, and that I had powers I didn’t understand?
The guilt gnawed at .
"Earth to Ava," Nina waved her hand in front of my face. "Where’d you go just now?"
I blinked back to the present. "Sorry, just thinking."
"About Joseph?" Ruby teased.
I forced a smile. "Just wondering what the hell I’m going to wear to this thing."
Eleanor’s eyes lit up. "Oh honey, you’re coming to my closet. I have the perfect dress for you."
***
The pack join ceremony day arrived too quickly. I stood in front of the mirror in Eleanor’s guest bathroom, barely recognizing myself. The dress she’d lent was a deep erald green. It hugged my curves in all the right places before flowing gracefully to the floor.
"Wow," Nina said from the doorway. "You look incredible."
"So do you," I replied honestly. Nina was stunning in a pale blue gown that complented her beautifully.
Eleanor appeared behind her in a silver dress that seed to shimr with every movent. "Ladies, we are going to turn heads tonight."
Ruby and Caroline joined us, equally gorgeous in their formal attire.
"Our chariot awaits," Eleanor announced.
Nate was standing by his stretch Lincoln.
Ruby joked, "Prince Charming’s ride is definitely sothing else."
The Storm Valley Pack territory was located on the outskirts of Harbor Bay, a sprawling estate surrounded by forest and protected by high walls. As our limo approached the gates, I felt my anxiety spike.
"It’s okay," Caroline squeezed my hand. "Rember, you’re my invited guest. No one will question your right to be here."
I nodded, trying to believe her. But as we pulled up to the impressive mansion that served as the pack house, I couldn’t help feeling like an impostor.
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