Chapter 5 Reunion

CHAPTER 5: REUNION

Adrian simply stared as his sister ran. He didn't chase after her though his men started to, he quickly stopped them with a raised hand.

"Let her go," he said coolly. "She won't get far. I have her scent now."

He turned to one of the wolves. "You follow her. Find out where she lives and report back to me."

"Yes, sir," Peter replied and vanished into the woods.

Then Adrian turned to another. "Mike."

The younger wolf stood at attention.

"Send a message to Elijah. Tell him we've found Ava."

"Yes, Alpha," Mike bowed and sprinted off.

---

Back at Ravenwood, Elijah stood alone in his study, eyes fixed on the map spread across his desk. His expression was unreadable, jaw tight, fingers curled into a fist.

Even after all these years, Ava's disappearance still stung. She had humiliated him, left him broken and questioning everything. He had never intended to hurt her. But she'd seen something she wasn't meant to, and instead of asking questions, she had fled.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Elijah said, voice low.

The young messenger stepped in with his head bowed. Elijah didn't look up, still studying the map.

"Speak."

"Alpha Adrian has located Ava. She was found... in the vampires' land."

Silence.

The messenger took it as a dismissal and quietly left.

Elijah clenched his jaw. She ran that far just to get away from me. His hand curled tighter into a fist.

If she didn't want to be his Luna, he wouldn't force her. His father was gone now he would never witness the union he'd dreamed of. The pack had waited too long without a Luna. The elders had already suggested a perfect replacement, and Elijah had agreed.

The pack would always come first.

---

Ava burst into the house. Irene, startled by her frantic look, rushed over.

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost or a vamp," she joked, checking the windows instinctively.

Ava quickly yanked the curtains down.

Panic was written all over her.

Irene folded her arms. "Ava, what's going on?"

Ava hesitated, then stepped toward the window, her voice shaky. "My... my brother found me. I have to leave. I can't stay here he'll be back."

She paused, eyes distant. "Adrian has changed. He's older, stronger... and he has our mother's eyes. I wonder how she is." Those thought rushed in as she paced around the room where should she start from after all this years why now?.

Irene stared at her, confused and concerned. "Why do you have to leave? We can protect you."

Irene parents having heard the sound came out they had heard Ava words and her heart beat as it w

Victor stepped in, placing a firm hand on Ava's shoulder. "You're one of us. We'll stand up for you."

"You're our daughter, Ava," Laila said gently. "We love you."

Tears brimmed in Ava's eyes, but she shook her head. "I can't let you fight my battles. If anything happens to you... I wouldn't forgive myself."

She bowed slightly. "Thank you for taking me in, for loving me. But this... I have to face it."

She turned to leave-but the front yard was already crawling with wolves.

There was no escape.

Adrian stepped forward, hand extended. "Let's go, Ava. It's time."

She froze. If she resisted, the vampires and werewolves would clash. Innocent lives would be endangered. She couldn't let that happen.

"Ava is going nowhere."

Irene's voice rang out as she stormed outside, standing between her and Adrian.

"She left because she didn't want to stay there. She chose to be here."

Adrian met her gaze coldly. "She's pack. And that comes with responsibility-something you wouldn't understand, vampire."

He was right. Ava had a duty, even as an omega.

Ava stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Irene's shoulder.

"It's okay."

Adrian waited, patient and prepared.

Ava looked back at the house she had called home. "I guess I've played and stalled long enough. I'll go back with you."

Irene's face fell, but she didn't stop her. Instead, she pulled her into a tight hug.

Victor and Laila looked at the wolves with open distrust but said nothing.

"You're always welcome back, whenever you want," Laila said softly.

Ava nodded and hugged them both. Then she left-without looking back.

---

Ravenwood hadn't changed. Thanks to Adrian's elemental affinity with the earth, the journey had been swift.

Back in the familiar halls, Ava was escorted to her old room.

It was untouched just as she had left it five years ago.

She walked toward the window, and that's when she felt it another presence.

A figure stepped from the shadows.

Those hazel eyes. Pale skin. Midnight black hair.

Elijah.

He walked toward her, silent, slow, stopping just in front of her. His eyes roamed her face, his expression unreadable.

Then he raised his hand and brushed his fingers against the mark on her neck his mark.

Ava's heart pounded.

"You're back, I suppose," he said. His voice was deep, smooth, chilling.

She trembled slightly. His presence overwhelmed her, pulled at her emotions in ways she didn't want to admit.

"I'm surprised you even had the courage to look me in the eye," he continued, voice like a blade.

Ava swallowed hard. "I'm back," she whispered, barely audible. "I'm not going anywhere anymore."

Elijah's eyes flickered something passed through them. Longing? Pain? She couldn't tell.

But just as quickly, his gaze turned cold again.

"We'll see about that, Ava."

He turned to leave.

And then, over his shoulder, he added, "Since you're here, you won't miss the wedding this time."

Ava froze.

Wedding?

He stopped at the door. "Don't disgrace your father more than you already have. The new Luna won't be a selfish, naive child like you."

Then he left, without another word.

Ava stood still, breath caught in her chest.

He's getting married?

To someone else?

She didn't know whether to cry... or to be relieved.