3: THE

eapt out. But she calmed down as soon as she heard Adrian's vo

, pulled him inside quickly

lk over to the bed and sit down, her hand on h

when we went out to walk, but it's fine. He didn't come running

ically but sighed, decidin

about this union, remember you're aging, yes, but you still have a choice. And if yo

to let the creep in. Your heartbeat scared me.

or and opened it, turni

look beautiful,

closed the d

celebration. On his way, he spotted Elijah approaching,

rong. She just needs a li

to protest when Elija

be under. Even I'm feeling it," Elijah said cal

an forced a smile to match Elijah's

e years

ver of darkness, Ava sli

s. Her heart thudded with both fear and excitement. She had been planning this escape ever

r all as an omega in a family of alpha she wasn't

rself of the fear and guilt of being engag

ook a left turn, double checked the map, and kept moving. Getting caught was not an

nt of dawn, Ava realized the map she'd

an city-though she knew it could just as easily lead into vampire territory. The forest around

ned her bag for a snack. The food gave her a mo

she misstepped an

ip hard to keep from crying out-if someone or something

Ava knew staying put wasn't an option. She forced he

she f

few feet away, watch

d Ava. From the girl's scent, she knew immediately-she was a werewolf

cautiously, stepping for

he instinctively backe

's no mistaking it," Ava

r land. Patrols are going to start any minute now. If they find you here, injured... you won't mak

ed not to trust a vampire-but she w

trying to sound brave. But even she

it yourself. But the next vampire

rned t

ut. "I... I suppose

and gently examined her ankle. With some fabric and quick

," Ava

e said, helping her sta

va

ked slowly through the fore

it was warm, lived-in, and filled with laughter and gentl

ring her food and comfort without expecting an

n her life... Ava fe