Chapter 170

Ava’s POV

“Why doesn’t he just pee on you to mark his territory?” Isabella’s voice cut through the air the moment I burst through the cafe door, panting and breathless.

I stopped short, staring at her, chest heaving. “What are you talking about? And what’s so urgent you made me run all the way here?”

She shrugged, casually sipping her coffee, as if she hadn’t just upended my morning. “Nothing particularly important,” she said with a wicked grin, “but that’s what you get for choosing a guy over your best friend.” Her eyes narrowed. “I know you were near your phone and heard it ring the first two times.”

My irritation flared. She seriously made me leave Grayson for this?

“Are you being serious, Bels? How do you even know I was near my phone?”

Before she could answer, a group of high school boys passed, their curious gazes lingering on me before they smiled and walked away. Confused, I glanced down. I’d grabbed the first clothes I could find, telling Grayson I could handle getting here alone, but I was sure I looked decent.

Isabella rolled her eyes, pulled out her phone, and showed me the screen.

I gasped. My reflection stared back, my neck and shoulders covered in reddish bruises, faint scratches, and unmistakable bite marks. Heat flooded my face. That’s why everyone had been staring, including Ivan.

“What the…” I stammered. Isabella tossed a sweater across the table, smirking. “Here. Put this on before you scandalize us.”

I hurriedly put on the sweater, feeling mortified. I hadn’t checked my reflection before leaving, and Grayson… well, Grayson had been thorough. My skin still tingled.

“Thanks for the warning,” I muttered sarcastically.

She grinned. “You’re welcome.”

“This isn’t funny,” I huffed, pulling the sweater higher. “I was worried! I ran all the way here! And you made me leave Grayson for… this?”

“Fine,” she said dismissively. “I’m sorry. I don’t like being ignored. I shouldn’t have made you panic. It’s not urgent, but I do have something to tell you—or rather, show you.”

I raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Okay…?”

She called to the counter, “That was your cue, Eliza!”

I frowned. “Eliza, what—”

Before I finished, Eliza popped up, slamming her head on the table. She yelped, rubbing her head. I saw something shiny on her finger.

“Oh my god!” I squealed, jumping up and grabbing her hand before Isabella could complain. “Eliza, Jeremy proposed?!”

Eliza nodded, blushing, showing me the ring. “It happened yesterday,” she said shyly. “We were leaving the counsel’s office, and he reached for something. The ring fell out. He panicked and blurted out, ‘Marry me.’ ” She laughed. “I didn’t even think. The answer was just… yes.”

Isabella snorted. “And I’m still annoyed you said yes to such a lazy proposal.”

“Okay, now you’re being obnoxious,” I said, rolling my eyes. “What crawled up your ass today?”

Eliza waved her hand. “Don’t mind her. She’s upset because Rickon’s sister came to town, and she doesn’t like her.”

“First,” Isabella interjected, “Veronica is a bitch. And second, everyone likes me. I’m very likable.”

My wolf practically rolled her eyes, and I laughed. “Calling her a bitch doesn’t make you more likable. Maybe you gave her the wrong impression.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Isabella snapped. “Some women just are bitches. Elaine, Monica, Crystal? Did you ever do anything to them before they hated you? Speaking of which, the awful threesome has been quiet lately.”

“Well,” I began cautiously, “Elaine’s having a baby, and… we all know what happened with Crystal. I have no idea about Monica.”

“Exactly!” Isabella threw up her hands. “And now two more spawns of evil into the world. At least Liam is decent. I hope—”

She stopped, turning to Eliza, who was staring awkwardly.

“Oh, crap. We’re sorry!”

I nodded apologetically. “We got carried away. Tell me everything. What happened after he proposed? What are the wedding plans? And please don’t tell me you’re pregnant, so you have to rush the wedding.”

Eliza laughed. “Of course not.”

“Good,” I said, shrugging. “Because everyone seems to be pregnant these days.”

Isabella poked my stomach. “Are you? From the looks of all that sex you’re having, I’d say yes.”

“Stop that!” I swatted her hand away. “I’m not pregnant.”

A bitter thought crossed my mind, one I didn’t voice: I wasn’t pregnant because I’d started birth control pills… because Grayson didn’t want children.

“So,” I said, forcing a smile. “Wedding plans?”

Eliza’s expression shifted nervously. “I don’t want to seem like I’m taking advantage of our friendship, but… could you maybe ask Grayson to give me some time off? Jeremy’s family is having a get-together, and we’re going to announce the engagement then. I know Grayson’s already done a lot—letting Jeremy off the hook and helping with his mom’s treatment…”

“Wait, what?” I asked, blinking in surprise.

Isabella jumped in. “Of course, she’ll ask him! In fact, she’ll ask him right now.”

I opened my mouth to question them when I felt him. The energy in the cafe shifted; heads turned as his presence filled the room.

Grayson scanned the space, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. His gaze narrowed briefly at Isabella before he crossed the room, pulling me to my feet.

“You’re very annoying,” he said to Isabella, his voice clipped.

Isabella laughed.

“Congratulations, Eliza!” I called over my shoulder as Grayson pulled me outside. The crisp morning air was welcome.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, catching my breath.

Grayson stopped outside the door. His expression softened slightly, though irritation lingered. “I told you not to take that call.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I know. Isabella was just being dramatic and annoying. Actually, Eliza and Jeremy just got engaged. I was going to ask if you could give her some time off…”

Grayson’s brow furrowed. “Engaged?”

“Yes,” I said, smiling. “It’s big news, and she’d like to attend a family gathering this weekend to share the news. I thought maybe…”

“I’ll take care of it,” he said, cutting me off.

Relief flooded me. I stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you.”

His gaze softened further, but then he glanced back toward the cafe, his jaw tightening. “Next time, don’t leave. Especially if it’s because of her.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll confirm her story first next time.”

He was about to say something when his phone rang. He answered it. I tried not to listen, but with my heightened senses, it was impossible not to catch fragments.

Maria’s voice was muffled, but a few words slipped through. My body stiffened as the pieces fell into place. His voice was low and urgent; he ended the call quickly.

He turned back to me, but I didn’t give him a chance to speak.

“What does my family have to do with the curse?” I asked, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “And what am I not supposed to know?”