Ava’s POV
I stared at my phone for the hundredth ti, scrolling through the unanswered texts I’d sent to both my mother and grandmother. Ten days of silence. Not a single response. Not even a "busy, talk later" text.
"Co on, Mom," I whispered, hitting the call button again. The phone rang endlessly before going to voicemail. I hung up without leaving another ssage—what was the point? All the previous ones had gone unanswered.
"Seriously, what the hell?" I muttered, tossing my phone onto the couch.
Sothing was wrong. Very wrong. My mother and I had our occasional argunts and squabbles, but she would never go this long without contacting . Even when I had a cold war with my mother over my ex-boyfriend Isaac and ran away from ho, my mother never cut off contact with .
"Talking to yourself again?" Nina’s voice startled as she walked out from her bedroom, looking fresh. Her hair was wrapped in a towel, and she wore a fluffy bathrobe that made her look smaller than she was.
"Just checking my phone," I mumbled.
Nina plopped down beside , imdiately sensing my distress. "Okay, spill it. You’ve been acting weird for days now. Checking your phone every five minutes, barely sleeping, and I swear I heard you crying in the bathroom yesterday."
"I wasn’t crying," I lied.
"Cleo says you were," Nina retorted, referring to her wolf. "She heard you."
I forgot about werewolf senses.
I sighed, knowing Nina wouldn’t let this go. "It’s just... family stuff. My mom and grandmother aren’t answering my calls or texts."
Nina frowned. "For how long?"
"Ten days."
"Ten days?" Nina’s eyes widened. "Why didn’t you say sothing sooner? That’s serious, Ava!"
I shrugged, trying to appear casual despite the worry tightening in my chest. "My grandmother lives far away, and sotis reception is bad in Silver Creek. Plus, my mom can get really caught up in her work."
The half-truths felt bitter on my tongue. I couldn’t tell Nina the real reason for my concern—that my witch grandmother and my hybrid mother might be in danger because of their magical abilities.
"Have you tried calling anyone else in Silver Creek? Neighbors, friends?" Nina suggested.
I shook my head. "We keep to ourselves mostly." My grandma had always maintained distance from others, a necessary precaution when you were hiding magical abilities in a wolf community.
Nina looked unconvinced but didn’t push further. "Well, we have to be at Caroline’s in an hour for bridesmaid duties. Maybe focusing on sothing else will help clear your mind."
"Yeah, maybe," I agreed halfheartedly.
Nina stood, squeezing my shoulder gently. "Whatever’s happening, Ava, you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here for you, so are Eleanor, Ruby, and Caroline."
I managed a smile. "Thanks, Nina."
As she disappeared back into her room to get dressed, I felt a pang of guilt for not being completely honest with her.
I couldn’t. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
The Storm Valley pack house was buzzing with activity when we arrived. Located on the outskirts of Harbor Bay, the massive mansion stood as a testant to the pack’s wealth and power. Surrounded by acres of forest and protected by state-of-the-art security.
Caroline greeted us at the door, her face glowing with happiness. "You’re here! Thank God. I’m going insane with all these preparations."
Despite my worries, I couldn’t help smiling at my friend’s enthusiasm. Caroline had transford since accepting Alpha Draven’s proposal. The once-insecure woman who’d been ashad of her scentless status now carried herself with confidence. Love looked good on her.
"Where do you need us?" I asked.
"Everywhere," Caroline laughed, leading us through the entrance hall. "The florist is setting up in the ballroom, the caterers are in the kitchen, and I still haven’t decided which tablecloths look better."
We followed her into a spacious living room where Eleanor and Ruby were already arranging gift bags for the guests.
"About ti you two showed up," Ruby called out, her red curls bouncing as she looked up from her task. "Eleanor and I have been slaving away for hours."
"It’s been twenty minutes," Eleanor corrected dryly.
"Details," Ruby waved dismissively.
"How’s it feel to be marrying the sexiest Alpha in Harbor Bay?" Nina asked Caroline as we joined the others.
Caroline’s face flushed with pleasure. "Surreal. Sotis I wake up thinking it’s all been a dream."
"Speaking of sexy Alphas," Ruby wiggled her eyebrows at , "I saw you leaving with Joseph after the ceremony. Anything you want to share with the class?"
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "He just drove ho."
"And?" Nina prompted.
"And nothing," I said firmly, though the mory of Joseph’s confession—"I love you, Ava"—echoed in my mind. "We talked, that’s all."
"Talked about what?" Eleanor asked.
Before I could respond, Caroline jumped in. "Leave her alone, guys. If Ava wants to share, she will." She shot a knowing look.
"Thank you," I mouthed to her.
"Actually," Caroline continued, clapping her hands excitedly, "I have news! Draven’s invited practically every important Alpha in the region to the wedding. He wants everyone to see as his equal, his true Luna."
"That’s amazing!" Eleanor exclaid.
"It’s also terrifying," Caroline admitted. "My parents arrive tomorrow for the rehearsal dinner, and I’m scared they’ll be overwheld by all these powerful Alphas."
"They’ll be fine," Ruby assured her. "They raised you, didn’t they? Clearly they’re made of strong stuff."
Caroline smiled gratefully. "Speaking of strong stuff, let’s talk bridesmaids’ duties. Eleanor, you’re in charge of the guest book. Ruby, you’ll manage the gift table. Nina, you’ll coordinate with the ushers, and Ava, I need you to help my mom when she arrives tomorrow."
The word "mom" made my breath catch. I nodded automatically, but all I could think was Odelia. Where was she? Was she safe? The worry gnawed at my insides like a hungry beast.
"Ava?" Caroline’s voice pulled back to reality. "Are you okay with that?"
"Of course," I replied quickly. "Happy to help your mom."
The next few hours passed in a blur of wedding preparations. Throughout it all, I kept checking my phone, hoping for any ssage from my mother or grandmother. Nothing.
I didn’t dare go ho, afraid that once I returned, I might never be able to leave again.
By mid-afternoon, my anxiety had reached a breaking point. I needed to do sothing, anything, to find out what was happening.
"I need to make a call," I told the others, slipping away to find a quiet corner of the massive house.
I gathered my courage and dialed my mother’s workplace—Apex Pharmaceuticals. My mother worked as a pharmaceutical researcher, developing new dications.
"Apex Pharmaceuticals, how may I direct your call?" a cheerful voice answered.
"Hi, this is Ava Flynn, Odelia Trollpoe’s daughter," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I’ve been trying to reach my mother for several days without success. I was wondering if she’s been at work?"
There was a slight pause. "Oh, Ms. Flynn," the receptionist’s tone changed subtly. "Your mother isn’t currently at the office."
I pressed. "When will she be back in the office?"
Another, longer pause. "I’m sorry, but your mother has taken an indefinite leave of absence."
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