Chapter 84

Hunter POV

I stopped a few feet away, crossing my arms. “Ava. What are you doing here?”

She tilted her head, her long hair brushing over her shoulder. “What? No ‘hello’? No ‘how have you been?’ That’s not very polite.”

“Ava,” I repeated, my tone sharper. “What are you doing here?”

She sighed, as if I’d just ruined her moment. “If you must know, I decided to come back home. It’s been years, Hunter. Is it so surprising that I’d want to visit?”

Her tone was casual, but there was a flicker in her eyes, something calculated that set me on edge. “You left for a reason,” I said, my voice steady. “Why now?”

“Must everything have a reason?” she asked with a playful shrug. “Can’t a woman simply want to revisit her roots? Relax, Hunter. I’m not here to cause trouble.”

I raised a brow at that, but before I could respond, she stepped closer, her voice dropping to something softer, almost intimate. “You know, I missed you.”

Her hand reached toward me, a gesture that was far too familiar for my liking. I stepped back, putting deliberate distance between us. Her hand hovered awkwardly in the air before falling back to her side.

“I don’t think that’s relevant,” I said coldly. “You made your choice to leave, which was a good one and I made mine to move forward.”

Her smile faltered for a second before she recovered. “Still the same Hunter. Guarded, distant.” She let out a small laugh, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s good to see some things never change.”

“Welcome back, Ava,” I said evenly, cutting off whatever else she was about to say. “But I hope your return doesn’t stir up unnecessary trouble.”

“Trouble? Me?” She feigned innocence, her lashes batting. “You wound me, Hunter. I’m just here to reconnect, that’s all. No hidden motives.”

I didn’t believe that for a second. Ava never did anything without a motive. But I didn’t have the energy to delve into her games. Without another word, I turned on my heel and made my way back to the table where Mark, Joe, and Andrew were watching intently.

As I sat down, Joe leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing important,” I said, grabbing my drink. “She says she’s just back for a visit.”

Mark let out a low whistle. “A visit, huh? Ava’s been around for a few days now.”

I froze, my drink halfway to my lips. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”

Mark shrugged, a little too casually for my liking. “I didn’t think it was important. It’s not like we’ve had much time to talk lately, and honestly, I didn’t think she’d pop up here tonight.”

Joe shot Mark a disbelieving look. “Not important? You know how things were with Ava, Mark. You should’ve said something.”

Mark raised his hands in defence. “Alright, alright. But she’s been keeping a low profile, at least until now. I figured she’d leave soon enough.”

Andrew, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. “Do you think she’s here for you, Hunter?”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter why she’s here. She has no place in my life.”

Joe frowned, his expression sceptical. “You don’t think she’s up to something?”

“She said she’s just here to ‘calm herself down,’” I said, the words tasting bitter as I repeated them. “But it doesn’t matter. Whatever her reasons, they’re irrelevant. Lisa is my future. Nothing Ava does will change that.”

The table fell silent for a moment, each of us lost in our thoughts. Mark finally broke the silence, his tone unusually serious. “She’s always been persistent, though. You remember how hard it was for her to accept that you didn’t choose her.”

I clenched my jaw. I remembered all too well. After my first mate died, Ava had been relentless in trying to convince me to pick her as my second chance. But I couldn’t. Not then. And by the time I was ready to open my heart again, it wasn’t Ava who had healed it—it was Lisa.

“I don’t care what she wants,” I said firmly. “She’s part of the past, and that’s where she’ll stay.”

Andrew nodded. “Good. Just keep your guard up. Ava doesn’t strike me as someone who lets things go easily.”

Joe raised his glass. “To moving forward and leaving the past behind.”

We all clinked glasses, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Ava’s reappearance was going to complicate things. As much as I wanted to brush it off, I knew better. Ava wasn’t someone who showed up without a reason, and her presence threatened to disturb the balance I’d worked so hard to build.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ava leaving the bar, her movements graceful and deliberate. She glanced back once, her gaze locking with mine for a brief second before she disappeared out the door.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the people at my table. Lisa was my present and my future. Whatever Ava’s reasons for coming back, they wouldn’t change that. But a small, nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered that this wasn’t the last I’d see of her. Not for long.

When I returned home that evening, the house had a warm, unexpected hum to it. The soft clinking of chess pieces echoed from the living room, followed by a hearty laugh that belonged to none other than my father. I quickened my steps, curious about what was so amusing.

As I stepped into the living room, my jaw nearly dropped. Lisa was seated across from my father at the chessboard, an expression of deep concentration on her face. My father, grinning like he’d already won, had his arms crossed and was leaning back in his chair.

“Lisa, you know how to play chess?” I asked, dropping my keys on the nearby table and making my way over to her. I bent down to give her a hug, pressing a kiss to the side of her head as I took a seat beside her.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “No, not really. I just saw your dad setting up the board and decided to join him. Figured it couldn’t hurt to try.”

“Couldn’t hurt to try, huh?” my father teased, moving his queen into a devastating position. “That’s what you said two checkmates ago.”

Lisa narrowed her eyes at him, but she was smiling. “I’m learning, okay? Besides, I think you’re going easy on me.”

My father let out a booming laugh, the kind I hadn’t heard in a long time. “Easy on you? Girl, I’ve been playing this game for over fifty years. If you manage to beat me, I’ll hand you the title of Chess Alpha right here and now.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I leaned back in my seat. “Well, she’s got the determination for it. That’s for sure.”

“Come sit, my son,” my father said, gesturing to the empty chair next to him. “It’s been too long since we’ve spent any time together. Ever since you became Alpha, you’ve been too busy for an old man like me.”

I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. He wasn’t wrong. “I’m sorry about that, Father. Things have been... hectic.”

“It’s no issue,” he said with a wave of his hand. “But tonight, we’re going to fix that. No talk of business, no pack politics. Just family.”

I glanced at Lisa, who was watching the exchange with a soft smile on her face. Her presence alone had a way of grounding me, reminding me of what truly mattered. “Alright,” I said, leaning forward. “Let’s make the most of it.”

The game continued, with my father taking every opportunity to taunt Lisa about her moves. She took it all in stride, laughing along even as he dismantled her defenses piece by piece. I chimed in occasionally, offering her advice that usually ended with her giving me a playful glare.

“Hunter,” she said after one particularly bad suggestion, “are you trying to help me or make me lose faster?”

“I’m trying to help!” I defended, raising my hands in mock innocence. “It’s not my fault Dad’s a chess master.”

“Master? Ha!” my father scoffed. “I’m just old and wise. And she’s learning faster than I expected. Give her a few more games, and she might actually make me work for it.”

Lisa grinned, her competitive spirit shining through. “You’re on. Next time, I’ll be ready.”

As the game wound down, with my father inevitably claiming victory, we transitioned into more casual conversation. Stories of old pack events, embarrassing childhood memories, and even tales from my father’s youth filled the room. Lisa listened intently, occasionally bursting into laughter at some of the more ridiculous anecdotes.

“You should’ve seen him,” my father said, pointing at me. “Hunter was so serious as a pup. Always trying to keep everyone in line. We used to joke that he was born an Alpha.”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “I can see that. He still has that serious streak.”

I groaned, rubbing the back of my neck. “Alright, alright. Let’s not make this a roast session.”

“Fine, fine,” my father said, though his grin told me he wasn’t done teasing me. “But don’t think I don’t notice the changes in you. Ever since Lisa came into your life, you’ve been... lighter. Happier.”

Lisa blushed, and I felt my chest tighten with affection as I looked at her. “She’s changed a lot for me,” I admitted. “In ways I didn’t think were possible.”

“Well, hold onto her, son,” my father said, his tone turning serious for a moment. “A good mate is worth more than anything else in this world.”

“I plan to,” I said, glancing at Lisa. She met my gaze, her expression soft and full of understanding.

As the evening went on, the mood grew even lighter. We played a few more games, this time with me stepping in to face my father. He wiped the floor with me, of course, but it was worth it just to hear Lisa and my father laughing at my failed strategies.

Eventually, my father excused himself, claiming it was past his bedtime. He gave Lisa a warm hug, patting her shoulder. “You’re a good one, Lisa. Don’t let this stubborn son of mine give you too much trouble.”

“I won’t,” she promised, smiling.

Once he was gone, Lisa and I sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the warmth of the evening still lingering. She reached across the chessboard, taking my hand. “You have a wonderful family,” she said softly.

I squeezed her hand. “They think the world of you.”

She tilted her head, studying me. “And what about you?”

I leaned in, my voice low. “I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Her cheeks flushed, but before she could respond, a sudden knock at the door broke the moment. I frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late—too late for casual visitors.

Lisa stood, her brow furrowed. “Who could that be?”

“I’ll check,” I said, motioning for her to stay put. As I made my way to the door, a strange feeling settled in my gut. Something wasn’t right.

When I opened the door, the last person I wasn't expecting to see again was standing there.

Ava.