51 Ava: Clayton’s Departure
Clayton’s shoulders stiffen, and he sighs. “You’ll be safe as long as you stay within the pack,” he says, his voice tight.
My heart skips a beat at his words.
“I’m going to have to go out on a quick trip,” Clayton continues, and my eyes widen.
A trip? Where? And why?
The questions are burning on the tip of my tongue, but I bite them back, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Besides, I don’t need to know.
Instead, I force a small smile and say, “I hope you have
a safe trip.”
Clayton nods, his expression softening as he meets my gaze. “Thank you, Ava.”
For a moment, I think he’s going to say more, but then he seems to think better of it. He takes a step towards me, and my heart rate picks up, my body tensing
involuntarily.
“Can I have a goodbye kiss?” he asks, his voice low and
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rough.
I swallow hard, my mouth dry. A part of me wouldn’t
mind feeling his lips on mine again, knowing the passion that can erupt between us.
But a much larger part of me holds me back.
So instead of leaning in, I turn my head slightly,
offering him my cheek. His lips brush against my skin, warm and soft, and I feel a shiver run down my spine despite myself.
the flicker of disappointment in his eyes, and I have to fight the
force another smile
his disappointment already hidden. “Set up
it’s hacked. I’ll just get a new burner as soon
Rowan will be by this afternoon, and if you need to go anywhere, you guys
together.”
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Ava: Clayton’s Departure
probably
say again, with
***
city is
of White Peak–well, you can’t really
different worlds.
as I take it all in. Skyscrapers tower overhead, their glass facades glinting in the sunlight. The sidewalks are packed with people, all rushing to their destinations, their
I’m used to the quiet, the
walking beside me, his eyes scanning the crowd. He seems at ease, comfortable
he says, guiding
store. Its windows are
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378
Clayton’s Departure
I can’t help but stare as we pass by.
store is even more impressive. The floors are polished marble, the ceilings high and adorned with glittering chandeliers. The air is
that Clayton doesn’t know the meaning of frugal–but Rowan doesn’t seem to notice. He’s
aisles, and I steal glances at Rowan. He’s different now, more relaxed. and easy–going. During my heat, he had struggled
steady presence at my side. If I didn’t already know, I never would have suspected him to be the beta of Clayton’s
like this. The crowds make me nervous, the constant movement
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4/8
Clayton’s
noise setting my nerves on edge. But with Rowan
humans. I’d noticed in White Peak and Cedarwood that they never looked twice at me, accepting me as just
me and scent the
pass.
the presence of Rowan, or is it
can smell your power, Selene says, calm as ever. You no longer
going to make hiding a lot harder.
prudent to get
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