Author's Note: I do not own any of the wolves or vampires that might appear in this story. They either belong to Stephenie Meyer or to the lovely Ninadoll! The O'Brien sisters and Liam are really the only thing I might lay claim to. The sextastic Scar is Nina's invention as well.
Huge, huge thank you to Ms. Ninadoll! I can't say that enough and encourage all of you to check out her stories, Rest of Forever, How Wonderful Life Is Now You're in the World, and How the Mighty Fall. You will love them! I guarantee it! I am very lucky to be a part of her universe and to have her as my friend!
Thank you as well to my friend, shojioxlow! My fellow connoisseur of Sweet Tea Vodka, which I have been in desperate need of lately!
As always, thank you to everyone that reads and reviews! You are very much appreciated! Enjoy! Don't forget to check out blog at liljenrocks{dot}blogspot{dot}com or my homepage at liljenrocks{dot}web{dot}com for pictures of clothes and such from this chapter!
I'm planning to work on the next chapter of Love You For Always next but I have to warn you that school starts in two weeks so I can't promise it will be quickly! Thank you all!
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CHAPTER 9: GRADUATION DAY, PART 2
AVA'S POV
It wasn't really very surprising that Scar and I beat everyone else back to the house. The problem was, once we'd arrived at Casa de Clearwater, I didn't want to unwind my arms from around his body. I'd always heard the imprinted couples talk about how their bodies seemed to mold into one another, like they were created specifically for one another. Claire always talked about it, even before she and Quil were "rocking the boat." The thing is, when I held tight to Scar like this, I felt like we matched perfectly. Our bodies seemed to fit perfectly. So it didn't seem fair.
As of late, I'd been trying really hard not to harp on the fact that there was no imprint between us. Instead, I tried to think about ways that we could be together anyway. I knew I could always be his friend, and for now that would work. I tried to think if we could be together romantically but I couldn't. I could see my side of it, loving him forever and raising a family with him, but if I wasn't the one, I didn't know why I even bothered.
"You okay?" Scar asked, suavely sliding off the bike and breaking our contact. He took his helmet off before holding his hand out to me. I wasn't too happy that he'd decided to get off. I still wanted to bask in the glow of our bodily contact. I guess we'd have to go in eventually though.
I reluctantly took my helmet off and shook my hair out. "Yeah. I'm just kinda exhausted. It's been a long day," I sighed. I took his hand and quickly swung my leg over the bike, careful not to show Victoria's secret.
"Yeah, I know," he pulled me into his chest to hug me and I smiled. "We should probably go inside though. The other cars just pulled into the driveway." I let out a groan. "Hey, it's nice to have family that cares about you."
"I know, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I'm just not sure if I'm ready for all the commotion," I whined. And commotion it was. The guest list for our soiree included not only our family but more like our extended family too. Jake and Nessie were there with Griffin, something I knew made Ashley extremely happy. She always liked having Griffin and Liam together, not that there was really much you could do with a sixteen month-old and an eight month-old. Sue and Charlie were there, as was Leah who brought along her boyfriend, Alex. Seth had practically begged Billy Black to come too, knowing he and Charlie could probably tell us some pretty amazing stories. And last, but certainly not least, Mr. Frank Monroe, Scar's Dad.
The cars were piled out of, the presents brought in, all the Aunts and Uncles laughing. GamGam Gallagher was fawning over Liam. Some of the family hadn't been able to make it. Chloe and Pete had to stay in Oklahoma, awaiting the arrival of their own little one, a boy, due any day, meaning that Aunt Shannon and Uncle Joe also stayed. GamGam had been accompanied by Vanessa, though Vanessa kept her phone glued to her hip.
The upside was that Cruella de Vil, also known as Aunt Lydia, wasn't able to make it. I was so hurt by that, note the sarcasm in my voice. She did mail me a card with a fat check of three hundred dollars. I figured I could live with that. I actually hadn't counted on getting any gift from her. She and Abby hadn't spoken in months, ever since Aunt Lydia discovered "Abby's irresponsibility and whorishness," as she said, referring of course to my sweet little nephew. I assumed her boycott on Abby was a boycott on all of us, but apparently not.
The moment we were all in the house, the noise level was almost unbearable, conversations ranging from Seattle to baby names bouncing around. "Honestly, who names their child Banjo?" GamGam asked, in all seriousness furrowing her brow at Abby.
"Chloe and Pete," Abby said simply before returning to the kitchen. I was actually quite proud of Abby. She wasn't a bad cook, she just wasn't known as the family's Paul Deen either. But she took the graduation dinner very serious and she and Aunt Tess did the whole dinner on their own. Abby made the roast beef and mashed potatoes, while Aunt Tess made the appetizers and cake. Abbs even made sure we had sweet tea with the perfect lemon wedges to adorn each glass.
"Wanna glass of tea, Mr. Monroe?" Ashley asked, carrying a cookie sheet that Aunt Tess put a cloth napkin on to use as a serving tray. "It already has sugar in it." I smiled at my little sister, she'd seemed to grow about three inches in the last few months and matured so much. She was very into helping around the house, helping to feed Liam, and making sure Sadie was taking her vitamins. She must have caught me looking at her because she smiled widely before skipping off into the kitchen with her empty tray.
"She told me she's doing more around the house because she knows Abby's going to need help when you leave," Sue Clearwater said, standing next to me and putting an arm around my shoulders. "It always impresses me how much you sisters love each other and want to make life as easy as possible for one another."
"Thanks, Sue," I said, knowing that my parents would love how close we had all become. It was one of the first times I had allowed myself to think about them today. I missed them. I knew they'd be proud but what I wouldn't give to hear them say it, or see the smile on their faces.
"Mom, can Alex and I talk to you for a minute?" Leah asked, a little nervously as Alex wrapped his arm around Leah and pressed a kiss to her temple.
I sighed. "That would be my cue to go see if Abby needs help in the kitchen," I walked off leaving them to whatever awkward conversation they were about to have. I looked around, Seth and Jake seemed to be talking to Scar's dad. GamGam sat with Ashley and the babies while Ash sang a crazy song she made up about wolves in a grocery store. She had left her duties as waitress to Ness.
I stepped into the kitchen as Abby put the last of the sliced roast beef on the serving platter. "Can you grab the potatoes and green beans?" She wiped her hands on her apron.
"Sure," I answered back and then followed her to the kitchen table after I grabbed the side dishes. It seemed like the moment we walked out of the kitchen, the wolves were on their feet and salivating. We took our seats and Scar grabbed my hand so we could sit next to each other. It was all a little too much like a movie as Seth stood up from his chair at the end of the table.
"So," Seth said, clearing his throat.
"Please tell me this isn't the start to a long-winded speech, baby brother," Leah said before taking a sip of her tea.
"Well," Seth cleared his throat again. "I just wanted to say how extremely proud of Ava and Scar I am and how very grateful I am that all of you could join us today to celebrate this momentous occasion. I never thought, when I im—fell in love with Abby, that my life could feel so complete. Ava and Ash made this house a home and I couldn't be happier to say that Scar's like the little brother I never had. So, congratulations, Ava and Scar, and thank you to all of you for being here."
A small round of applause rang out as Seth took his seat and Sue unexpectedly stood. "Since today is a day of celebration, I believe Leah and Alex have some news to share with us as well. Leah?" she sat back down, ceremoniously turning the floor over to Leah.
"Thanks, Mom. Thanks for that," Leah said through gritted teeth. "Um, so…"
Alex stood up, taking Leah's hand in his. "I believe Leah is trying to announce our engagement." He smiled widely and a squeal broke out from around the table, all the women smiling and chattering. Nessie was out of her seat in less than a second and hugged Leah who was finally smiling.
"Congratulations, Leah!" Abby joined Nessie to hug Leah. "Do we have a date?"
"We were thinking maybe the end of November," Leah smiled into a kiss from Alex. My eyes flew down to Seth who was shaking a bit.
"Seth, aren't you going to congratulate your sister?" Sue asked.
"I need a beer," Seth threw down his napkin and stormed into the kitchen.
"Honey, he doesn't mean to be like that," Sue said to Leah who was actually a little teary eyed. "You know he's just worried you'll imprint or that you'll get hurt again." She said this out loud, obviously forgetting that there were people not in the inner-wolf-circle here.
"Leah, angel, let me talk to him. I have a sister, I understand how protective Seth must be feeling right now," Alex gave Leah another kiss on her temple before going to the kitchen.
Liam, obviously sensing the tension in the air, started to cry. "It's okay, baby Liam," Ashley said, trying to feed him a spoonful of mashed potatoes that he wanted nothing to do with.
"Ava, can you go grab a bottle out of the fridge for me?" Abby asked while Liam reached his arms up, wanting to be lifted from his high chair by his mother.
"Sure," I sighed. There was really no telling what I was going to walk in on. I stayed a bit of a distance away but could see Seth. Alex stood in front of him, his arms at his side, looking business-like even when he was about to discuss God-knows what with his fiancée's younger, overprotective brother.
I knew it was rude to eavesdrop, but I'd never seen Seth look so stern. He'd always been happy and smiley, except for when Abby left but that was different. He was sad and depressed then, not like he was at the moment. He looked…pissed.
"Seth," Alex said. I could hear Seth pacing back and forth in the kitchen and I wondered if he was trying really hard not to phase. "I understand your trepidation in this matter. I know you have a very close relationship with your sister and I wish there were something I could say to level the playing field." I heard Alex take a deep breath. "I'm a business man. My entire life I have been molded and shaped into the perfect son so that some day I would take over the company. My life before Leah, it was a façade. I was ready to take over the business. Love was the last thing on my mind. Then something happened. I met Leah and all the things I never knew I wanted became so evident to me. I love your sister, more than I could put into words. I want to build a life with her, have a family. I love her very much, and by some miracle, she loves me too."
I couldn't figure out why Seth was so angry. His sister was older than him and I was pretty sure she could take him down to Chinatown if she wanted. So what was up with the Good Doctor? "I know and I get that," Seth said, very business-like in his own movements now. "Here's the deal, Alex. You're a nice enough guy, from what I know of you, but that means nothing to me. The only thing about you that matters is that my sister loves you, and she may be tough and talk a good game, but she's fragile."
"I know, Seth. Trust me, I know. Leah and I have spent countless hours discussing what happened between her and Sam. I know how he broke her heart," Alex stopped to take a breath and I sighed. What about Leah and Sam? "I won't ever leave her, I will love her and protect her and honor her. I love that she's tough but tender, fair but cutthroat. I love her and I only hope that you can give us your blessing. I know it means so much to Leah. "Seth didn't seem to be budging on the issue though. He just stood and stared at Alex. "My family is much different from yours. One of the things I like best about visiting your home is the warmth and sincerity in everyone. I honestly did not have much of that as a child or a teenager so the concept of family is different for me. Yet I know to my core that Leah will not marry me if she doesn't feel you approve."
Seth closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "If it makes Leah happy, you have my blessing." He let out an ominous chuckle. "Besides, if you hurt her, it won't just be me you have to worry about kicking your ass. You see all those big Native men out there?" he gestured towards the dining room and Alex nodded. "She's just as much their sister as she is mine. You hurt her, you have to deal with the consequences."
"I understand," Alex stuck his hand out and Seth looked at it for a second before shaking it firmly. "You have my word, something that I take very seriously."
"Good," my brother-in-law took a swig of a bottle of beer he had just popped the cap off of and then watched Alex walk away. "Alright, come out here. Don't think I don't know you're there."
"Shit," I muttered to myself coming from around the doorway to where Seth was standing in the kitchen. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I came in to get a bottle for Liam and I heard you talking and I didn't want to interrupt and I know I should've left but I couldn't help listening…" I kinda wandered off in my head a little then, not really sure what else there was to say.
"It's okay, Ava. It's your house too. I just don't want you to think I'm a prick or anything for being so stern with Alex," Seth said, taking another long swig of beer.
I shook my head. "I know you're not a prick, Seth. You're being a good brother and looking out for Leah."
Seth sat his beer down. "I'd do the same for you too, Ava. I plan on it actually. One day, you'll come here with some boy who's won your heart, and I'll tell him exactly what I told Alex. You hurt my sister, I hurt you. And I mean it."
I hadn't really let my emotions get the better of me today but all the resolve in the world couldn't stop what happened next. I practically launched myself at Seth with tears in my eyes. "Thank you," I sobbed out, hugging Seth. "I know I've said it before, but you make our family complete, Seth, and I'm so glad Abby found you, or you found Abby or however it works."
"Now, now," Seth chuckled. "Where's the bad ass we all know and love?"
"I know," I pulled away from the hug and wiped my hand under my eyes. "I can't help it though."
I heard the click of Abby's heels on the floor and then heard her stop at the door. "Oh no. What's wrong?" she rushed towards me and Seth shook his head.
"We were just having a moment, a brother-sister thing," Seth gave me a pat on the head. "I'm really proud of you and I know you're going to be a great chef, Ave." He gave me a kiss on the forehead and I noticed Abby fanning herself and holding back her own tears. "Not you too, silly Bee." I watched him walk towards my sister and envelop her in his arms.
"I'm so…" she stopped herself, standing on her tiptoes to place a kiss on Seth's lips.
"I know, Babe, I know," he gave her a gentle kiss back. "I should go make sure Liam's eating and Leah's not spoiling him and Ash too much." He chuckled and then released Abby.
"We'll be right out," Abby said to him. She ran her hands up his arms and sighed. It should've been weird watching them like this, but I actually loved it. I loved seeing someone get their happy ending. Sure, I was pissed it wasn't me, but I was happy for my sister. Watching them be so affectionate might have been a little perverted but I smiled as he ducked down and peppered her face with a few kisses.
"I love you," Seth whispered, nuzzling Abby.
"Love you too," she answered back. They were finally broken apart and Seth sauntered out of the kitchen. Abby smiled at me. "I'm extremely proud of you too, Ava. I have to tell you, when we first moved here, I wasn't sure what would happen. I hoped and prayed that you'd mature and take advantage of a fresh start, but I won't lie that I was worried."
"I'm sorry, Abbs," I said.
She shook her head at me. "No, that's not why I'm saying this, Ava. This is a very happy day, and I only bring it up because I think it's important for you to see how far you've come." Abby walked towards me. "And I have one more gift. You know when I graduated from high school, Mom and Dad got me a pearl necklace, their way to celebrate my growth and maturity." She opened the drawer next to the silverware and pulled out an oval shaped box. "And since they're not here to continue the tradition, I think it's only fair that I do." She pushed the box my way. I wanted to open it but I wanted to savor the feeling more, the feeling of accomplishment but more so, the feeling of love, and feeling like my parents were there, even if they weren't there physically. "I hope you like them."
I finally took the box from the counter and slid the red ribbon that adorned it off. With as much patience as I could muster, I lifted the lid to see the strand of pearls in the box. They were beautiful, not a single word I could think of could describe the precious gems in my hand. "Thank you," I said to Abby, pulling the necklace out while Abby rounded me to fasten it round my neck.
"You're welcome," she said, locking the necklace in place. "I just felt like you should be able to have that part of them." She walked around to look at me. "Suits you perfectly." She sighed and put her hand on her cheek before running her hands down the front of her purple dress to straighten out the slightly wrinkled part. She started to walk out of the kitchen, but I grabbed her hand.
"Abbs, when I said thanks, I didn't just mean for the necklace," I swallowed hard, knowing tears were going to follow. "Thanks for not giving up on me…"
Abby turned to face me and her dainty fingers lifted my chin to look her in the eyes. "I will never give up on you. You are my sister, Ava. I may have been really pissed when we had to leave Oklahoma, but I've always hoped that you would learn from your mistakes and you always have." She pulled me forward and wrapped her arms around me. "Even when we were little, you weren't afraid to take chances, to be adventurous. Dad always said when it would rain, I'd hop around the driveway, being very careful not to get my shoes wet in the puddles. But you would just run right through them, like you knew we all would get wet eventually." She realized me from our hug. "That's one of the things I've always loved most about you. Even though at times it's a pain in the butt, you don't take no for an answer, you don't mind pushing the boundaries, and you aren't afraid to defy logic and fate. And I truly hope you never, ever lose those qualities, whether it is in your baking or in love." She raised her eyebrow and then smiled, making her way out of the kitchen. What did she mean? Defying logic and fate? Surely she couldn't be thinking about what I was thinking about? No, there was no way she could've been telling me that I should actually try to win Scar, regardless of an imprint or not. No, no. She was an imprint, she didn't understand. She…she gave me hope, dammit. And I wasn't sure if hope was good thing, especially when the object of my affections, was going to be living under the same roof as me in less than three months.
"Ugh!" I groaned. Why did things have to be so complicated?
SCAR'S POV
The Saturday after graduation, Jake and Nessie threw a huge bonfire on First Beach to celebrate all of the pack and family that had graduated from high school. Bonfires were a blast, most of the time. There was occasional drama. But for the most part, they were fun. I mean, if it weren't for a bonfire, I would've never met my Ava.
The night was slowly winding down, and most of the "adults" were gone, leaving just us younger wolves and our girls. Ava was sitting across from me with Claire who had Quil leaning up against her legs. Those two had been whispering sweet nothings to each other all night and it was getting old.
"You're the best wolf ever," Claire giggled and leaned down to kiss Quil.
"You're the best imprint ever," he said back with that glassy, dreamy look all the wolves get when they see their imprints. I hated that look personally.
"Well, you're the best wolf in the history of wolfdom," Claire kissed Quil a little more passionately this time.
"And no other imprint has nearly been as awesome as you are, Princess," Quil pulled Claire down and around to sit in his lap. This was the part of the night where we saw entirely too much groping and heard too much moaning. Now that Quil and Claire were officially "marked" by each other, no one was safe and nothing was sacred from their public displays of affection.
Back to Ava, though. She was quieter than normal but she smiled at me when I glanced her way. I was trying not to stare at her but she looked too damned beautiful. She was wearing a tight, hot pink shirt that read "Let them eat cake!" in black script, a phrase I happened to know she was going to get tattooed when she graduated from culinary school. Her green eyes flickered in the light of the campfire and my chest was heavy with the weight of the feelings I had for her.
That was all interrupted too abruptly. Maggie Jefferson was a junior at Forks High School, and apart from being Scott's cousin, I wasn't sure why the hell she was even at the bonfire. She, as well as three other skanky girls, showed up to crash the party. I'd spent a lot of time trying to avoid Maggie because I knew her game. She had Daddy issues and the best way for her to deal with them was having sex with any man that would give her the time of day, which is probably why she wouldn't get lost right now. I don't know why the girl wouldn't leave me alone, but she wouldn't. I was trying to keep an eye on Ava but as soon as Maggie started grinding her hips in my face, I lost sight of her.
"God, lay off it, Maggie!" I almost screamed, pushing her to Lil' G.
"What's up, milady?" Lil' G said with absolutely no game at all.
I didn't have time to worry about the perverse thoughts that were sure to be running through Lil' G's head. I knew I'd see them later. Right now, I needed to find my best friend. "Ava!" I yelled, trying to get her attention while she said something to Claire.
"I'm just gonna go. You can stay if you want," I heard her say.
"Nah, I'm tired," Claire giggled. "Ugh, do you see Maggie and Lil' G?" She and Ava turned their eyes back to the bonfire.
"What are you doing here? Why don't you just go back to your little skank?" Ava practically barked at me.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you acting this way?" I asked, stunned. I knew Ava could be possessive and grouchy occasionally, but this bumfuzzled me.
She glared at me intently. "Just leave me alone, Oscar. Go let that trash rub her hands all over you, stupid whore," she muttered.
"Ava," I said softly. I could hear the hurt in her voice and I just wanted to make it better. I didn't want anyone else's hands on me but hers. It was her lips I wanted, her body, her. But I couldn't tell her that. And why would she care anyway? She could have her pick of boys and I was pretty sure I was last on her list. I was her friend, nothing more.
"No, Scar. You deserve better than Maggie, than an easy fuck in the back of her El Camino," Ava was starting to shake a little and I wasn't sure if she was cold or angry. "You deserve better." She was looking away from me and I was glad. If I'd have seen her emerald eyes, I wouldn't have been able to control myself and I know I would've pulled her into me and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. She started to walk away and I gently grabbed her arm.
"Hold your horses," I blurted out. "There's nothing going on between me and Maggie. Don't you think I would've told you if there were? Didn't you notice me pushing her off me?"
Ava shook her head. "I'm sorry. I don't know why it pissed me off so much. I just…I want to protect you. I know how some girls can be. I used to be one of those girls." I pulled her into me to hug her, secretly breathing in her scent.
"You don't have to protect me, Ave. I'm a big boy and I'm tough," my voice was barely a whisper but I knew she could hear me.
"I know you are but there's certain things, things about girls that you don't know. I refuse to let Maggie be the one to show you them either," she said, staying cuddled into me. "I just want…I don't know what I want." She breathed out loudly and I ran my hands up her arms.
"I'm sorry if you thought I was doing something I shouldn't have been," I felt like I might get on my knees and beg for forgiveness in a minute.
"No, I shouldn't have gotten upset. It's not like you're my boyfriend or anything," she said. I don't think she knew how her saying that felt. I literally lost my breath at the realization. I wasn't her boyfriend, I would never be her boyfriend, but God help me, I wanted to be. I wanted to protect her and love her, to watch the sun set and rise with her, to ride across the country on my bike, with her on my back. I wanted her. And for the first time in a long time, I was so pissed I was a wolf, I couldn't take it.
I let go of Ava, feeling my breathing speed up. "I need you to go back to the bonfire with Claire," I said through gritted teeth.
"Why? What's wrong?" Ava's eyes were wide with fear and panic.
"I'm gonna phase and I gotta get out of here," I grunted. Ava grabbed at my hand but I shrugged her off, gritting my teeth with each breath. I pulled my shirt over my head just as Quil grabbed Ava and pulled her away.
"Scar!" I heard her scream after me but I was already in a full sprint before leaping over a log and bursting into a giant mass of silver fur.
What the hell are you doing here? Sebastian asked. I thought you were celebrating the big graduation.
I was, I whined before realizing that I was showing them everything, the whole conversation with Ava, my pissed off feelings at becoming a wolf and not imprinting on her.
Not that again, Sebastian groaned.
Shut it, Sebastian, Tokala scolded him.
There was a long pause before I felt Quil phase in. I shut my mind almost completely off, hoping he wouldn't see what I had just projected. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one remembering the memory.
Tokala, please, I begged. I knew if Quil heard a word of it, it would end badly. He was protective of Ava, almost like a big brother would be. I knew it was because she was close to Claire and that he was originally part of Jake's rogue pack with Seth, and Seth, well, he'd be pissed. It was too late though.
Scar, Quil growled.
Before I knew it, it was all out in the open again, all of it, the few times my body had been pressed close to hers, the times my lips had fantasized about being pressed passionately against Ava's. It was all there for them to see.
It's not what you think, I tried to defend myself but I knew it was a lie.
You are treading in dangerous water, Scar, Quil's was loud and forceful in my head. She's not your imprint.
Like I don't know that, I growled and waited for Quil to catch up with me. As soon as he did, we rounded each other. I can't help how I feel, Quil. I love her.
But you can't. It's not even that you can't, you are not allowed to, Quil rounded me and pounced, pinning me to the ground before I could even think about reacting. You need to see something. Images flooded my head, ones that I'd seen before but there was a new side to them, a deeper side. Just. Watch.
Leah Clearwater danced through my head as a happy teenaged girl but it wasn't even Leah's point of view. It was someone else, someone that had clearly loved her, as the person wrapped their arms around her and she giggled. "I love you, Sam," Leah said, bringing her lips up.
I am not Sam, I groaned, trying to throw Quil off. We'd all heard this story, we all knew how it ended. Sam got Emily and a family, Leah got confusion, phasing, and infertility. Quil wasn't letting me go, though. Instead, I felt a crushing blow to my chest, like someone had punched me. It took me a few seconds to realize it wasn't my pain I was feeling. "Please, Sam. Just tell me what I did wrong? You said you loved me and all of the sudden you don't?" Leah was yelling and crying and the pain I felt in my chest, the utter heartache, was Sam's.
Do you get it now? Do you understand why you can't be with Ava? Quil's voice had calmed, but he kept me pinned. Are you willing to hurt her like that?
I didn't have an answer. I knew I loved her, I knew that she was it for me, and if I imprinted, I would fight to my last breath to keep Ava. But then I realized it wasn't me Quil was worried about. The pain he showed me was Sam's, but the despair and helplessness was all Leah. Leah was happy now, but it was no secret that for years, she would do anything she could to keep her distance from Sam. He had made her what she had been for so long, Sam had created the bitch, and the worst part about it, was he knew it. He knew it was his fault and there was nothing he could do.
Think about it, Scar. Do you love her enough to let her find her own happiness? Tokala inserted his thoughts into the conversation.
I did, I'd tried that. I had convinced myself over and over that she was worth more than I could ever dream of being worth. That was obviously why fate had decided we couldn't be together. She was too good for me, but God help me, I loved her. And I knew no one else could ever love her like I do.
Just leave me alone. None of you can possibly understand what it's like, I knew I needed to stop talking because if I didn't, I'd want to curl into a ball and sob myself to sleep. I kicked off my back paws and launched forward, running along the main road until I found the wooded area on Clearwater Drive that I was looking for.
I found the window I wanted, curling up into a ball under it. Before I could even close my eyes though, the window flew open. "Can you phase back so we can talk?" Ava said in a soft voice, dangling a pair of athletic shorts out to me. I gave her a wolfy nod, grabbed the shorts and ran behind a tree to phase. I slipped the shorts on and then came back. She stepped back to let me jump in. As soon as I landed and turned, Ava's arms were around me. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way," she whispered. I could feel the wet tears from her cheeks on my bare chest.
"It's okay, Ave," I held her closer to me and stroked her hair, placing a soft kiss to it.
"I just…I don't want to lose you and I know that's selfish because someday I will. You'll meet your imprint and you'll be happy and you won't be able to hang out with me," she sniffed.
I pulled Ava from my chest to look into my eyes, hers red and bloodshot. "Listen to me, Ava O'Brien. No matter who comes into my life, you are my number one girl. You hear me? You're my best friend, my confidant, and no one can ever change that. No one," I inhaled.
"Ditto," Ava smiled. "I love ya, Scar."
"Love you too," I answered back, pulling her into my arms again. What she didn't know, though, was that telling her I love her, meant so much more than she could imagine and so much more than I could probably ever tell her. Why couldn't she be mine? Why couldn't I love her like I knew she should be loved? Why the hell did life have to be so complicated?