Chapter 228

Ava’s POV

“We should set a trap,” Isabella said.

I barely heard her. My gaze remained glued to the window, the afternoon haze blurring the view I’d been studying since dawn. My wolf growled; I wasn’t watching the gates and winding path, I was waiting. Why hasn’t he come? The question gnawed. Is he hurt?

I chewed my lip, battling the urge to go find him. Focus, I told myself. Things are different now.

Turning from the window, I met Isabella’s gaze. “I’d love to be bait, but after what happened… I can’t risk it anymore. It’s not just me.” I paused, adding, “All this stress isn’t good for the baby. I’m three months pregnant—”

“I get it,” Isabella interrupted, nodding. “And we need to get you to a doctor—not you,” she amended, rolling her eyes. “But you’re right. No more self-sacrifice. Damien has something big planned today. How do we figure it out?”

We both looked at Elaine, who was staring blankly out the window. “I know it’s Elaine, but…” Isabella trailed off.

“I feel sorry for her,” I finished. “We should tell everyone. Together, we can make a plan.”

Isabella threw her hands up. “Gather all the targets in one room? Genius! And the insult of not being a main target?” She huffed.

“Would you prefer to be on the list?” I asked dryly.

“No, but I’d like the option.”

Ignoring her, my mind raced back to my earlier discovery. Damien didn’t plan brute force; he expected the realm to accept him as the only alternative after Grayson’s removal. And worse—he had inside help. Charles, I suspected.

My fingers clenched. Then, movement outside. The gates opened; two cars slowly ascended the driveway. My breath hitched. My heart hammered; my stomach twisted. I couldn’t look away.

Ava, get away from the window! My inner voice screamed. Remember what he did! You’re done. Don’t let yesterday change things.

I took a step back, then another. He stepped from the car. My breath caught.

Damn you, Grayson Blackwood.

Tall and imposing, his gray eyes scanned his surroundings. His jet-black hair was tousled, but his dark suit was immaculate. Even from here, his presence was commanding. Like the first time we met.

A woman emerged from the other car. Grayson spoke to her; she smiled. He paused, as if sensing my gaze. His storm-gray eyes locked onto mine. I ducked.

I slammed into Isabella. “What’s wrong, Lilian?” she demanded.

“Nothing,” I said, pressing a hand to my chest.

Isabella followed my gaze. “Oh. Wait, who’s that?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I snapped, stepping away. “It’s over. He can talk to whoever he wants.”

“Right,” she drawled. “That’s why you ducked like a guilty criminal.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but she surprised me.

“Don’t you think it’s weird your mother’s still not back? We’re here because her friend had leads on Damien. Why hasn’t she contacted us?”

My mother should have returned. Unless… she never intended to. The thought hit me hard. She’d used Damien as a pretense. What if her “friend” was working with Damien?

She’d arranged the weapons, told me to stay put, sent no updates. No. Evelyn wasn’t reckless. Or was she?

Panic rose. I reached for our mind link—silent. I grabbed my phone, knocking over a glass, and dialed her number. Voicemail.

“Something’s wrong,” I said to Isabella.

Elaine finally spoke. “Did anyone get another message? What’s the plan?”

Isabella and I exchanged a look.

“We need to find her friend,” I said, moving.

Isabella and Elaine followed. “Wait—what’s going on?” Elaine asked.

“My mother might be in trouble,” I said, yanking open the door and colliding with someone hard. A wall of muscle and warmth. Grayson.

His hands steadied me. For a second, I felt the heat, the pull. Then I pulled away.

“We need to talk, Ava.”

“I don’t have time,” I muttered, trying to move past him.

“I figured out how to break the curse,” he said.

I stopped. He stepped closer. “You have to mark me back. We need to form the full mating bond.”