Chapter 139

Ava’s POV

Breathe, Ava. Breathe. I repeated it five times, forcing the words into my mind, but it was no use. The mantra wasn't working. My heart pounded, and heat rose in my chest. The seconds seemed frozen, the entire room watching me, waiting for my next move.

I was furious. Sure, I'd been focusing more on the ball than my actual birthday, but waking up with Isabella and our usual birthday tradition had been enough for me. But it was still my day, and this was my ball. I wasn't going to let them ruin it.

My feet moved instinctively, propelling me forward before my brain could catch up. I reached them in a few short strides, and before any could speak, I said, my voice sharp and cutting through the murmurs, "I didn't invite any of you, and I need you to leave."

Crystal reacted first, her hand immediately resting on her stomach, as if reminding me of the circumstances. Her voice was light, almost mocking. "Actually," she began, "your parents invited Dylan. And considering we're now officially mates"—her other hand brushed the fresh mark on her neck with a smirk—"I'd say we have every reason to be here."

Her words hit me like a slap, but I forced myself to remain calm. He'd marked her. The bastard had blood marked her. I didn't let the shock show, but the open, deliberate nature of it made me boil.

Before I could respond, Dylan's voice cut through, dripping with the smug arrogance I despised. His eyes slid down my body, and for a brief second, I thought I saw something—want, perhaps?—flash in his gaze. This was weird, because his lack of interest in me was what started all this. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the indifference I expected.

"Smells like desperation in here," he muttered, taking Crystal's hand and brushing past me. She laughed as if he'd said the funniest thing in the world.

I stood there, struggling to process everything. My mind raced with responses, but before I could choose one, Monica spoke. "You don't look well," she said, her voice saccharine with false concern. Then she smirked. "Well, nothing new there."

That was it.

Something snapped inside me, and a calm determination settled over me. I straightened my back, took a deep breath, and spoke, my voice steady and firm. "I'll only say this once," I said, locking eyes with Monica. "Turn around and take your half-naked selves out of my ball."

Elaine, silent until now, finally joined in. She'd been smiling, clearly enjoying my struggle, and her grin widened as she stepped forward. "I'm in my cousin's home," she replied smoothly, her tone dripping with superiority. "I'll go wherever I wish. And since Monica is my best friend, I'm extending that freedom to her, too. At least"—her smile turned wicked—"until Grayson comes back. Now, if you'll excuse us."

Her dismissal was like a slap. I felt the weight of the room's eyes on me. People pretended to continue their conversations, but I knew they were watching. Even my parents' gazes were heavy on my back.

No one was going to intervene. Not Isabella, not Eliza, not even the warriors discreetly stationed around the room. This was my battle, and I had to fight it alone.

I took another deep breath, feeling my wolf stir. The anger simmering beneath my skin threatened to spill over, but I held it in check.

"Elaine," I said, my voice low and warning. "Monica. I'm giving you one last chance to leave on your own."

Monica scoffed, rolling her eyes. "And if we don't?"

I stepped closer, lowering my voice further. "Don't make me do something you'll regret."

That's when it happened.

A deep growl rumbled from my chest, low and primal, and a surge of power rippled through me. My vision blurred momentarily, and when I opened my eyes again, everything was sharper, clearer. The room seemed smaller, the air thicker.

My wolf had taken over.

I didn't need a mirror to know my eyes had turned black, the telltale sign of my wolf's dominance. But it wasn't just my eyes. The energy radiating from me was tangible, a physical force pressing against everyone.

Elaine and Monica froze. Their eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw fear in them. The powerful aura wasn't just stunning them—it was pushing them back. They took a step back, then another, as if the air around me was unbearable.

Even I was stunned. I could feel the weight of my own power, unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

"You will leave," I said, my voice steady and unwavering. "Now."

Elaine opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. Monica clutched her dress, her face pale. Without another word, they turned and hurried away.

The silence was deafening. And I still had the question thundering: What the hell was that, and where did it come from?

I turned, my wolf slowly retreating, and the world snapped back into focus. Everyone was staring, their eyes wide with awe, fear, and something else I couldn't quite place.

For a moment, I didn't know what to do. Then I straightened my back, smoothed my dress, and forced a calm smile. The ball wasn't over yet, and I was still reeling from what had just happened when I felt a hand grab mine. Before I could react, Isabella pulled me toward a far corner, then out of the hall. My gaze briefly caught my parents'; their eyes were on me as if they were seeing me for the first time. Their stares were unnerving, but I didn't have time to dwell on it as Isabella tugged me harder, pulling me out of sight.

The moment we were alone, she whirled around and whispered-yelled, "What the hell was that?"

I shook my head, still trying to piece it all together. "I have no idea," I admitted. "My wolf just… took over. And then I felt this extreme wave of power inside me."

"Inside you?" Isabella's voice dropped, but her intensity didn't waver. "Lilian, it wasn't just inside you. It was like a physical, pulsing thunderclap. I swear, I could feel it in my chest."

She grabbed my shoulders, her eyes boring into mine. "Do you know what this means? Lilian, you have superpowers!"

I laughed—a dry, incredulous laugh that felt entirely out of place. I pushed her hands off, shaking my head. "Stop with the dramatics, Bels. I don't have superpowers. It was just… I don't know. I should probably get back in there."

But then I sighed, irritation bubbling back to the surface. "Dylan and Crystal are still there, and I can't believe my parents invited him. And I really can't believe he actually marked her."

Isabella's expression softened, and she reached for my hand. "Hey, at least two out of three are gone."

Despite myself, I laughed again.

She grinned, clearly pleased. "It's catching on, isn't it?"

I couldn't argue with that.

"Anyway," she continued, squeezing my hand, "it doesn't matter. You won this round. And trust me, Lilian, that's all anyone's going to be talking about for the rest of the night."

I exhaled, some of the tension draining from my shoulders. "Fine. Let's get back in there before someone starts spreading rumors that I passed out in a corner."

But before I could move, Isabella's grin shifted into something mischievous. "Oh, no. Not just yet."

I frowned. "What now?"

"I was going to wait until later to give you your official birthday present, but it came early."

The moment she said that, I froze. A chill ran down my spine, and I suddenly felt him. It was as though the air around me shifted, charged with an energy I couldn't ignore.

Isabella smirked, clearly enjoying my expression. She pecked me on the cheek and whispered, "Happy birthday, Lilian."

Then, with a playful wink, she slipped back into the ballroom, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding. It took me a second to gather myself, to steady my breathing. And then I turned.

Standing there, just a few feet away, was Grayson.

His piercing eyes locked onto mine, and I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. The world around us seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of us, suspended in a moment I hadn't been prepared for.

Then he spoke, his voice low and steady, sending shivers down my spine, "Happy birthday, Ava."