Ava by L.G.Savage (HeartBreak)

hapter 26

Chapter 26

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“You’re looking weak, Ezekiel. There are ways around those rules, and you know them. You should show the vampire prince who he will bow to when you become the Alpha. If you become the Alpha.”

His father’s words still rang in his ears long after the dreaded check–in phone call. If he became Alpha? That was all he had been waiting for, for six fucking years. Now, his father thought he could dangle it in his face like that.

He lounged by the pool while Claire and her friends swam–if he could call it that. They were in the water, but they didn’t look wet. They were still perfectly made up when anyone else would have been a wet mess. How the hell did they even do

that?

“Did you tell him-”

“Yes,” he interrupted Myles.

He didn’t want to think about his father right now. How was it okay for him to punish the vampires for a minor infraction committed away from the academy, but his father didn’t even have the balls to gut the wolves who’d killed his mate? He was such a hypocrite. Talked the talk but couldn’t walk the walk.

Since Shadow had made his deadly appearance, his father used him to enforce the rules. It was him the packs feared. It was he who had blood on his hands. But his father still liked to talk like he had the juice.

“Are you coming in?” Claire asked with an inviting smile.

He lifted his beer and tried not to scowl.

“Maybe later.”

He’d invited them to spend the day to stop Derek from asking too many questions, but he knew what he would rather have been doing. He could still feel her body now, hours later. Even though she was so small, she fit so perfectly against him.

Like she was made for him.

Thinking about her made Shadow growl.

It had been a hard week. He had to leave training several times, on the verge of attacking the people hurting Ava. The coach hadn’t let up on her, giving her match after match. She had fought more times than anyone else in the class, and her body showed it.

showed no mercy. It was how they produced all the bastards who ran the world.

become uncontrollable if he saw her. But last night, he hadn’t been able to help- himself. He’d let himself in through her unlatched window and watched her sleep for hours. She’d been restless all night until she had that nightmare. He couldn’t blame her for her mental state, but the worst was still

get out of the academy, but now

swig of his beer, as if he’d summoned her, he

weekend. It’s our last year; we don’t want to break any rules now,” Derek said.

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Jan 20

Chapter 26

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about his father, but Shadow was a mess in his head, fighting for control. His

head,” he told Derek and

as she started to walk out of the

something else. But even the thought of

“Stay,” he growled.

Ava’s scent was so strong that he had an idea of where she was. He didn’t dare let Shadow out so he could run there quicker. It had been almost a week since he let his wolf out for a run, so they were both antsy. But it was better this way. Shadow had already catalogued the scents of the people who had trained with Ava. Letting him

downwind so Jared and his pack wouldn’t smell him, too. But the moment

the sun. And Jared was sitting next to her, rubbing something on

put her hands on Ava’s body.

it. His claws cut into his palms, but the pain didn’t register. And

let Jared continue

havoc in his body even as his rage increased. Shadow’s rage increased, covering everything with a red haze that took him back to memories he didn’t like remembering. The rage felt almost like the night Shadow had emerged and shown everyone who he really was. So uncontrollable and unstoppable. His hands started to

see the cuts and bruises all over her frail body. That momentary distraction was all he needed

Ava and Jared before he his house as quietly as

anything else that would set Shadow off again and jogged back

He didn’t need them questioning him about his state. He

Claire’s unwelcome scent tethered him as it had done the day of the assembly. Derek and unclenching his bloody fists as he tried to ignore the threatening growls in his head. Shadow was becoming a danger to everyone. He believed

and

calm the other half

chest was caving in.

been

that,” Claire said. “You’ve

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