Chapter 16

Ava's POV

The figure stepped closer, the weight of its gaze suffocating.

Logan shoved me behind him. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

The stranger smirked, his voice cold. “The question is, Alpha, do you know what you’ve done?”

I peeked around Logan’s shoulder, my heart racing. “What are you talking about?”

“You think the mate bond solves everything? That the Moon Goddess ties your mess into a neat little bow?” He chuckled darkly. “You’ve upset the balance.”

Liam stepped forward, fists clenched. “Explain. Now.”

“You broke her spirit, shattered her trust, and yet, you expect her to submit to fate? Pathetic.” His eyes burned as they landed on me. “And you, Ava. You think rejection will set you free?”

I swallowed hard, unable to look away. “What do you know about me?”

“Everything.” He moved faster than I could track, appearing inches from me. “You’re stronger than they think, but you’ll never realize it if you keep running.”

Lucas growled, stepping between us. “Back off.”

The figure smirked and turned to Logan. “You can’t protect her from what’s coming.”

“What’s coming?” Logan barked, his voice sharper than I’d ever heard it.

“War.”

The word hung in the air like a death sentence.

Landon’s hand brushed mine as he whispered, “What does that mean?”

Before I could respond, the figure vanished into the shadows, his laugh echoing through the trees.

“What the hell was that?” Liam asked, his voice tight.

Logan turned to me, his expression hard. “Did you know him?”

“Of course not!” I snapped, shaking my head.

“You heard what he said,” Lucas said grimly. “This isn’t just about us anymore.”

“Like it ever was,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “This is exactly why I don’t want any part of this.”

Logan’s jaw tightened. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

“There’s no ‘together,’” I said, my voice rising. “I rejected you. Remember?”

Liam stepped closer, his green eyes searching mine. “You’re scared. We get it. But running won’t fix this.”

“I’m not scared!” The lie burned my throat, but I held his gaze.

“You should be,” Landon murmured, his voice barely audible. “Because that wasn’t a threat—it was a warning.”

The silence was deafening.

“We need answers,” Logan finally said. “And we’re not waiting around for another ambush to get them.”

“Then go,” I said sharply. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Logan replied, his tone final.

I stepped back, glaring at all four of them. “You don’t get to decide for me anymore.”

“Ava,” Lucas started, his voice softer, “we’re not trying to control you. We just—”

“Save it,” I interrupted, spinning on my heel. “I’m done listening to you.”

As I stormed off, I felt their eyes on me, the mate bond pulling at my resolve. But I didn’t stop.

Let them chase me if they wanted. I wasn’t going to let them dictate my life.

The wind carried another howl, distant but distinct. This time, it wasn’t threatening. It was… a call.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat.

Behind me, Logan’s voice was low and urgent. “Ava, wait.”

I turned, narrowing my eyes. “What now?”

His face was pale. “That’s not just any howl.”

“It’s a summons,” Lucas added grimly.

“For what?”

Landon’s eyes darkened. “The council.”

The council never calls without reason—and never without consequences.