Chapter Seven
Ava’s POV
I turned away from him, gripping the edge of the door, but Hunter was quicker. He wedged himself between the door and the frame, stepping closer with a dark glint in his eye. Before I could react, he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. “Ava,” he murmured, his voice low and coaxing. “Give me another chance.”
I shivered under his touch, feeling no warmth only the weight of his control.
“Let go of me,” I growled, trying to shove him away. “I mean it, Hunter. I’m done. with you!”
His fingers tightened, pulling me closer. “Done?” he echoed, his voice soft yet dangerous. “We‘ re mated, Ava. You can’t just walk away from me. No one leaves an alpha, especially not his omega mate.”
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I clenched my teeth, furious. “A mate?” I spat. “You forced this bond, Hunter. You rejected my choices, my freedom, and now you expect loyalty?”
His hand moved to cup my face, ignoring my protests. “You don‘ t understand. Everything I do is to protect you, Ava. What happened to our pup…” His voice
faltered, as if he could force sympathy into his words. “That was hard for me too. We can still have a family. Just give me a chance.”
My stomach twisted at his words.
“There’s no family to save. The doctor said I can’t bear pups anymore, Hunter.”
He shook his head as if he hadn‘ t heard
- me. “They told you it would be difficult, yes, but we’ll keep trying. You‘ re mine, Ava, and together, we’ll make it work. We have to, don’t you see?”
He stepped forward, reaching for me again, his fingers trailing down my shoulder. I pulled away sharply, revulsion sweeping
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through me. “I told you not to touch me! I don‘ t belong to you.”
His face darkened, a flash of anger cutting through his feigned tenderness. “Watch your words,” he warned, his voice taking on an edge I recognized too well. “You should be grateful for the life I’ve given you in the pack, for the title you hold as my
mate.
I glared back at him, the last of my patience wearing thin. “The life you gave me?” I repeated, the bitterness clear in my voice. “You mean the life where I shielded you from every battle you couldn’t face? Where I fought for your respect, only to be treated as less than an afterthought?”
He looked stunned, but I continued, unable to stop. “I bled for you, Hunter. I fought for you when others questioned your strength. And how do you repay me? By putting me in harm’s way, by using me to show off to your friends, by forcing me to sacrifice every ounce of my own
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freedom.”
“Ava, that’s not true-” he began, but I
cut him off.
“Tell me something,” I whispered, stepping closer, my voice filled with a dangerous calm. “That night you chose Katherine over me in front of the whole pack–what were you feeling, Hunter? Pride? Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
His gaze faltered, and for a split second, I saw guilt flash in his eyes. But then his expression hardened. “You‘ re my mate, Ava,” he replied, his voice growing colder. “You don’t get to question me about my choices. Katherine meant nothing.”
“Then why is she still here?” I shot back. “You keep saying I’m your mate, but when have you ever treated me like one? When have you respected the bond we‘ re supposed to share?”
His jaw clenched, his tone harsh.
“Enough, Ava. This conversation is over.”
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I shook my head, fury burning through me.
“No, it’s not. You know what’s over? This… twisted game of yours, where you expect loyalty and love, yet show none in return. I’m not your possession, Hunter. Not anymore.”
He looked at me, taken aback by the defiance in my voice, and I could see the struggle in his eyes. His alpha pride wouldn’t let him apologize. Instead, he straightened, towering over me with a hard, dangerous glint.
“I am the Alpha of this pack,” he growled, his voice low and threatening.
“And as my mate, you will obey me. You don’t get to just walk away.”
The threat in his tone made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to stand my ground. “Or what?” I asked, challenging him. “What will you do, Hunter? Force me to stay here, like you forced me into this bond?”
His face darkened further, and he took a
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step back, fists clenched. I could see the
war raging within him, but I wasn’t afraid
-not anymore.
“This is your last warning, Ava,” he said finally, his voice cold and detached.
“Come back to our den. Stop this
nonsense, and I’ll forgive this… rebellion.”
I laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. “Forgive me?” I echoed. “I don‘ t need your forgiveness, Hunter. I need my freedom.”
Without waiting for a response, I stepped around him and pushed open the door, feeling a rush of liberation as I crossed the
hreshold.
“Don’t walk away from me, Ava!” His voice rang out, laced with frustration, but I didn’t turn back.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I walked down the packhouse stairs. I could still hear his footsteps behind me, his frustration radiating like a storm. But I
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didn’t look back.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Katherine was waiting, her eyes widening in surprise. “Ava, what’s going on?” she asked, concern mingled with confusion.
I looked at her, my heart heavy with the weight of betrayal. “Katherine, it’s over,” I said, my voice unwavering. “I‘ m leaving the pack. Hunter can keep his title, his power, his control. I won’t be a part of it anymore.” I said and walked out of the guest house.
In the distance, I heard Hunter‘ s voice, shouting my name, but I kept walking, feeling the first stirrings of hope as I ventured beyond the pack‘ s reach.
