Chapter 143

Ava’s POV

It felt like an eternity before I found my words. "What are you doing here?"

That was a stupid question. This was his house.

Grayson didn't answer immediately. He just stared at me, his piercing gaze searching for something I wasn't sure I wanted him to find. Then, he stepped closer, and instinctively, I stepped back. I hated the way his face shifted—pain and surprise flickering in his eyes, just for a moment. Still, neither of us spoke.

"Aren't you supposed to be mad at him?"

Normally, that would have come from my subconscious, but this time it was my wolf, clearly irritated.

Yes, I thought. I was mad at—or I am.

But now, standing here with him in front of me, I just wanted to throw my arms around him and cement the fact that he was actually here, alive and breathing. My lips trembled, but before I could speak, someone beat me to it.

"Grayson, you're back."

We both turned our heads at the sound of heels clicking against the floor. Elaine strode toward us, wearing something far more appropriate than the near-scandalous attire she'd tried to wear to the ball earlier.

She moved straight to him and, throwing her arms around his neck, exclaimed, "I was so worried."

The words felt hollow. If they weren't cousins—and knowing Elaine's history—I would have thought she was being disingenuous. Her concern had seemed genuine the first time he went missing, and again after his attack. But this time? When it happened, she acted as though she couldn't care less. Then again, she'd just learned that Grayson had indirectly caused her parents' deaths. She had every reason to hate him.

I stayed silent, unsure of what to say or how to feel. His being here didn't erase what he'd done. The weight of that truth hit me like a slap, and reality came rushing back. I had a ball to get back to, responsibilities to fulfill.

I turned, ready to leave, but Elaine's voice stopped me.

"Did you know Ava wouldn't let me into her ball?" she said, venom lacing her words. "She practically embarrassed me in front of everyone and then kicked me out! And did she even ask you before inviting those people here?"

What?

I blinked, stunned. I hadn't asked for his permission because he refused to speak to me, but still—what? "You walked in there half-naked," I snapped. "And you were with Monica, who is supposed to be banned, and—" Elaine folded her arms across her chest and interrupted me. "Do you hear how she talks to me?"

Grayson still didn't say anything. In fact, he hadn't spoken a word since he'd wished me a happy birthday. If all he was going to do was stand there and stare at me, then…

"Grayson, aren't you going to say something?" Elaine demanded.

A second passed before he finally spoke, his voice deep and steady, directed at me. "You look really beautiful."

Chapter 148

I froze.

Elaine's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with disbelief. But before she could speak, he cut her off.

"This is as much her house as it is mine, and she can do as she wishes."

My heart jumped, and I had to force it to settle because this didn't fix things. It didn't change what he'd done.

His voice softened, and his next words were directed at Elaine. "I don't expect you to forgive me for what I did, even though I never meant for it to happen. I understand that you have every right to hate me. As much as I wish things could be different, I can't change the past. But I won't take your side against Ava, not when I know you're in the wrong."

For a moment, it felt like he was baring his soul. It was the most honest I'd ever heard him. Not even the letter he'd left could top this moment.

Elaine blinked, her lips tightening before she narrowed her eyes at him. "When I heard your plane had crashed, for a fleeting moment, I wished you'd died so you could pay for what you took from me. But it doesn't matter. You might as well be dead to me."

Grayson's expression shattered, raw pain flashing across his face. My heart ached for him. But then, just as quickly, he masked it, reverting to his usual cold, unreadable demeanor. "If that's how you feel."

"Fine," Elaine spat, gathering her dress dramatically. "You two can have each other. You deserve each other anyway. I'll have someone send for my things, and you can both go to hell and rot in it for all I care."

She turned on her heel and stormed away, but not before shooting me a look of pure hatred.

Grayson and I stood there, the air thick with tension. Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.

For a moment, he didn't move. Then his arms came around me, pulling me into him as though he never wanted to let go.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into my hair, his voice rough.

"I know," I whispered back. "I know."

I still didn't fully understand why he had done what he did. A part of me was still angry, still hurt. But Grayson had managed to carve himself into my heart, and I couldn't deny that this moment—the feel of his arms around me—was all I'd craved for the past week.

Someone cleared their throat behind us, shattering the moment. I pulled back, turning to see my mother standing a few feet away. Her expression was calm, and to my surprise, there was no disapproval in her eyes.

I stepped further away from Grayson, my cheeks flushing with heat. "I should, um, get back to the, uh… ball. I should go back inside."

Grayson didn't say anything, just watched me with an intensity that made my stomach twist in knots.

My mother stepped forward. "You are the host and this is your ball. Finish what you started."

She glanced at Grayson briefly, her expression unreadable, before walking away in the opposite direction.

I turned back to him, biting my lip. "I really should go. Everyone's probably waiting for me."

He nodded, but his eyes didn't leave mine. "Ava…"

I hesitated, waiting for him to continue.

Chapter 143 (Continued)

"Happy birthday," he said softly.

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache. I gave him a small smile before turning and walking away, my heart heavy with the weight of everything left unsaid.

The ball was in full swing when I returned, but I felt like a ghost walking through the crowd. My mind was still with Grayson, replaying every word, every look, every touch.

Isabella appeared at my side almost immediately, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "So?" she prompted, her voice low enough to avoid drawing attention.

I exhaled heavily, struggling to put my feelings into words. "Honestly? I don't even know," I admitted, my voice laced with exhaustion.

But even as I spoke, my gaze wandered across the room. The guests were stealing glances at me before quickly looking away. The weight of their silent scrutiny pressed down on me until my eyes landed on Dylan. He stood next to Crystal, his expression unreadable as Uncle Damien addressed them both. But Dylan's focus, like Crystal's, was solely on me.

I looked away first, my chest tightening with a mix of irritation and unease. Turning back to Isabella, I confessed, "I just want this night to be over." My voice was quiet but carried an edge of weariness I couldn't hide, and I suddenly wondered why I'd fought to host it in the first place.

Her brow furrowed as if she wanted to say something, but before she could, the music shifted. A sharp, dramatic beat echoed through the room, slicing through the chatter. Instantly, people rose to their feet, moving with purpose. The crowd parted in a synchronized wave, clearing the center of the hall as if on cue.

The Dance.

A familiar dread settled over me. I'd always despised this part of the evening. It wasn't just the formalities or the pressure to perform; it was the calculated way my parents used it as an opportunity to match me with someone "appropriate," especially before Dylan. Thankfully, I never got the chance to attend a ball with him, and I had no plans of participating this time, especially after everything that had already happened tonight.

But the universe, yet again, had other plans.

Caught in the middle of the room, I hesitated for a moment too long. Before I could retreat to the safety of the sidelines, as Isabella had quickly done, the flow of movement around me carried me forward. Without realizing it, I found myself standing in line with the other she-wolves, awaiting our partners.

My heart sank as my eyes swept over the faces ahead of me. The sharp beat of the music grew louder, more intense, mirroring the tension building inside me. Then my gaze locked on the figure directly in front of me, and I cursed.

Of course, it just had to be him, but there was no way in hell I was letting him touch me, let alone dance.

I made to move away, but Dylan was faster, grabbing my hand in time with the music and spinning me right into his arms. Then he whispered cruelly, "Where do you think you're going? You and I have a lot to talk about."

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