CHAPTER 56

AVA'S POV.

Sleep completely evaded me as my mind churned endlessly over the shocking news of Mark filing for custody of the children.

The anxiety and fear of what the future might hold kept me wide awake, unable to find any peace or rest.

Every time I dared close my eyes to force myself to sleep in a bid to calm my nerves, the words from the legal document haunted me and my eyes would immediately fling open the next minute.

My heart pounded as phrases like "custody hearing" and "parental rights" echoed in my mind, and my eyes would immediately fling open the next minute.

Over my dead body would I allow anyone to take my children away from me.

My thoughts turned, searching for a possibility to excuse Mark’s action because I couldn't believe that the man who acted like he had my best interest at heart would do such a cruel thing to me, but I couldn't find any reason to excuse his action.

I know Mark had always wanted the children closer to himself, he had suggested to me a couple of times about bringing the children over to the pack house to spend even if it was just the weekend, but I have always refused, and this is because I don't feel safe in the pack house not after what they did to me.

I didn't trust them, and I wasn't ready to introduce the kids to their roots.

He seemed fine with it, he always kept on saying that he was ready to wait until whenever I felt right.

His patience and understanding made me feel supported and less pressured about making a decision.

Why did he pretend all this time when he could have just told me instead of doing this?

The more I thought about the burning issue that had left a huge hole in my chest within such a short period, the more I kept blaming myself for being careless for the second time with Mark, knowing fully well how he tossed me aside when Martha fed with so much disgusting lies about me without even a second thought.

I hated myself for trusting him so much, and even if it was the so-called Elders that pressured him into doing something like this then I couldn't help but think Aiden was right about Mark being quick to jump the fence and leave others behind in a messy situation.

Sleep finally came to rescue me from the claws of my crippling thoughts when I finally concluded that I would confront Mark the following day as that might give me some sense of closure on the issue, and the night slowly dragged on into the early hours of the morning.

Dawn finally broke fully, sluggishly arriving after what felt like an eternity.

My body was completely weak, and I was exhausted as my sleep wasn't a refreshing one.

The stress and anxiety had taken a heavy toll on me, both mentally and physically.

I managed to drag myself out of my bed and stood in front of the mirror, staring at the disheveled, pale version of myself staring back at me.

Not forgetting the mission I had set out for the day, I dashed into the bathroom, took a quick bath that was short span and threw on a set of outfits that I could find immediately I opened my wardrobe, which did nothing to improve my rough appearance and stepped out of the room.

The first person I caught sight of was Jane, she seemed to have stayed back in the living room after leading me up to my room, and I asked about the children.

She told me that they were still fast asleep, and I went on to tell her about my plans of going to Mark’s office to confront him she was cool with it but did not fail to ask me to be calm about everything to which I agreed to but don't know if I would stick to and that was how I left the house.

I wasn't so conscious about the drive to Alpha Mark’s office because my mind was entirely on the issue I had at hand to tackle.

My heart pounded non-stop behind my chest, a mix of anger and hurt fueling it.

As soon as I reached the building, I stormed inside, my blood boiling and vibrating with rage.

Ignoring the startled look from the employees, who all had their eyes on me, probably wondering what was wrong with me, I marched further into the first floor.

“Mark!” I screamed, my voice breaking with emotion. I was about to create a scene, devoid of what I had earlier promised Jane, but I didn't care.

I am tired of always accepting whatever was thrown at me by people who I trust, I am tired of always being used and tossed aside, and I am tired of all the unfair treatment from both Mark and the Pack.

This time I am not going to just stand back and allow them to treat me the way they choose, not anymore.

I am standing up for myself and I'm not concerned about the consequences of my actions that might ensue.

“You have to come out now and face me, don't go on and hide in your office like a scared cat.” I barked out.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and allowed their eyes to rest on me panting heavily.

“Ava?” Beta Ash, who happened to be coming down the stairs, questionably called my name, rushing up to me, “What are you doing here?”

Ignoring Beta Ash's question, I pushed past him and headed straight to the stairs he had just come from leading to Mark’s office, my heart not planning to calm down any moment went on slamming hard against my chest.

Ash ran after me, calling and pleading that I calm down and explain the situation to him, but his pleas all fell on deaf ears as I had already set my mind on something, and my mind wouldn't be at ease unless I did what I came here to do.