Episode 17: Boldness Within.

Ava.

"I think we are already being doomed by Caleb because I just saw Ariel step into this castle a few minutes ago."

When Gwen made this statement, I fully believed that it was a joke! I mean, what could that monster be doing here?

Caleb said she helped make him a weakling, and with that, his pack has fallen. So why the hell has she come here after him? Why are all these souls coming to this place where I have decided to keep myself safe? why is my past trying to become my presence again.

"I know you are joking, right?" I asked out of curiosity, and Gwen shook her head, confirming her words.

"Why would I use such a thing to make a joke? I am serious about this. I saw Ariel hugging Alpha Dan, and I think I heard her calling him mate," she said, and that was something I couldn't agree to believe at all.

"Mate?" I asked in surprise, and Gwen nodded at me, leaving me confused.

"What's really going on here? I was thinking that am going to focus on Caleb, and now she's calling Alpha Dan mate? You know what? I can't believe this, not until I see for myself," I said, doubting the truth of Gwen's words.

"Okay then, if you can't believe me, then I think you should come and see for yourself," Ava said and walked inside, prompting me to immediately follow her.

As soon as we stepped into the inner territory, we saw her walking forward with Alpha Dan in the passage.

"Look, that's her coming with Alpha Dan," Gwen said, pointing at them. But I still didn't want to believe until I got closer to her and heard her speak.

I know her, and I know how her words can be like snake poison.

"No, I still can't believe that!" I said as I took a step forward and looked back at Gwen.

"Come with me," I said to her, and she joined me as we began to approach them.

"Oh Gwen! Where have you been? I have been looking for you to prepare a warm meal for my visitor," Alpha Dan said as soon as he saw us approaching, which immediately caught Ariel's attention.

Ariel was shocked to see us here too. I could see it on her face, but I didn't react as if I knew her.

Silently, I approached with Gwen behind me while Ariel stared at us with anger in her eyes, and I did the same.

"Oh, pardon me Ariel for not introducing the future Luna to you," Alpha Dan said pointing at me, making Ariel look at him in shock.

"The future Luna?" she asked, and Alpha Dan nodded as she looked at me. I could feel the anger pulsing in her heart.

"Ariel, I know that you will not be happy about this, but the truth is that a lot has changed during your absence," Alpha Dan said and then approached me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Meet Ava, the woman who keeps me happy when you were not here, and we have a child together," Alpha Dan said, looking at the baby in my hand. Ariel also looked at the baby boy.

I am sure that she recognized that the baby boy was the one she wanted by all means to terminate.

When she looked at the baby, I believe that she was surprised to see that he was alive. So, I gave her a little mocking smile to tell her that she had failed miserably and my baby lives.

And with the smile that I gave her, she was so upset, although Alpha Dan was also smiling with me, thinking that I was just happy to meet her, not knowing that there is more to it.

Then she faked a smile too and approached me, looking at my baby.

"The baby? He's really a cute one but looks more like his father," she said, looking at Alpha Dan, who smiled at her too.

Then she extended her hand, requesting a handshake.

"Well, nice meeting you, Ava!" she said, thinking that I would be scared to shake her hand. But I accepted her hand with boldness.

"You are welcome to my home, dear Ariel," I said with a smile as she gazed at me in surprise while I shook her hand. Then she looked at Alpha Dan.

"I think I should be going to my room now," she muttered with a fake smile and wanted to leave, but Alpha Dan stopped her.

"Wait a minute, Gwen will make something for you to eat... what do you..." Alpha Dan was still saying when I interrupted.

"Gwen is my servant! My personal servant, not for everyone," I questioned that order with boldness, trying to prove to Ariel that I already have roots here.

"Don't worry, my lady! Please, what do you want to eat?" Gwen asked Ariel, who smiled at her.

"Don't worry, I will be fine," she said and walked away. Then I looked back at Alpha Dan, who was steadily gazing at me.

I know he must have been wondering about my recent character, but I can't say for sure.

Though I thought he would be mad at me, he approached me and helped arrange my baby's shirt.

"I know you won't be nice to her. Don't worry, she's not an obstacle to our relationship. She's just my past, okay?" he said, and I nodded in agreement.

"It's fine, but maybe if there is anything more you want me to know about you, you should tell me now and stop surprising me later," I requested, and he took a deep breath.

"Let me hold the baby," he requested, and I handed him the baby as he helped me carry him.

"Don't worry, if there are more things I need to tell you, it will be right after our wedding. It's a secret that you need to know only after we have completed our bond," Alpha Dan said.

"Don't worry, I will take care of the baby for now," he added as he walked away. Then I looked back at Gwen, who was already looking at me.

We are both acting like we are okay, but deep down, we know that we are not. Ariel is here, and that is the scariest thing to us now.

"My lady, I love the way you stood your ground against Ariel! Wow, that's amazing! You showed her that you are no longer the girl she used to abuse! I saw the shock on her face!" Gwen said, smiling happily as she pointed in the direction that Ariel went.

•CALEB•

Caleb.

"Come on, boys! Come on, hurry!" I was saying, giving orders to the new recruits as they packed some of the bags of food supplies that were delivered by Alpha Dan.

Then the last person who brought the final stuffed bag was my favorite among them, and it was Dred.

"Hey, man! You worked hard! Keep that and come over here so we can go have dinner together," I said to him as he passed by, and he smiled at me.

"Really?" he asked, and I nodded in response. "Yeah, of course! Come on, let's go!" I ordered him, and he went inside.

Within a few minutes, he joined me, and we began walking inside while discussing.

"So, what's your favorite? I'll tell Gwen to make it for both of us," I asked, and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Pickled eggs. I love pickled eggs very much," Dred responded, and I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Then you will surely have them," I said to him. Just as we were about to pass by a room , my eyes met Ariel stepping out of the room.

I couldn't believe it, but I continued to look steadily at her wondering if it's really she or someone that looked like she.

And I fully believed it is her when she halted, gazing at me.