Damon’s POV
I’d planned to spend the whole evening with Ava, just the two of us, but then she straight-up told me to leave.
And when she suggested that, well…
I’m an Alpha.
I’ve got my pride.
I’m not the type to force myself on someone who clearly doesn’t want me around.
But something about her felt off.
Way off.
Ever since that day at the office, everything about her has been…
wrong.
I picked up Sylvia’s call, her car broke down halfway, Leo was bawling beside her, screaming for his dad.
Normally, Ava would quietly wait near me, maybe sit on the couch, maybe remind me gently to come home early.
But this time?
The moment I hung up, she was already gone.
Just walked out.
No waiting, no soft smile, no little “don’t come home too late.” Nothing.
And that was just the beginning.
When I brought Sylvia and Leo home later, it wasn’t Ava’s warm smile greeting us.
It was the fireplace blazing…
and the sharp smell of burnt paper filling the room.
She stood there without a flicker of emotion, poking the burning pile with a fire iron.
I had no idea what she was turning into ashes.
Then she snapped at Leo.
Because of a broken robot.
God.
She actually scolded Leo.
The kid she’d doted on for four whole years.
She wouldn’t even raise her voice at him before.
In that moment, I honestly thought she’d lost it.
The way she looked at him…
cold as a frozen lake, completely empty. Get faster updates on g.com.
It was like she’d become someone else overnight.
But then, just when I thought she was about to spiral out of control, she switched back into the Ava I knew.
She offered to fix the client complaint, sat down at my computer, typing away with that calm, efficient look she always had.
Rational.
Capable.
Useful.
Everything she’d always been.
Was I overthinking this?
Maybe she was just upset because of what my mother and sister said earlier.
Maybe she was throwing a mild tantrum.
Her mood swings were a little unpredictable, that’s all…
right?
I tried to tell myself that.
Then I went to Sylvia’s room.
The moment I stepped in, the whole place felt drenched in sadness.
Sylvia was holding Leo tight, crying like the world had wronged her.
“Oh, Damon, my love, look at our poor baby,” she sobbed, her red-rimmed eyes staring at me like I’d personally hurt her.
Leo’s voice was hoarse from crying.
The moment he saw me, he squirmed out of Sylvia’s arms and grabbed my leg.
“Dad! I hate that woman! I really hate her! When are you finally divorcing her?”
Sylvia, of course, poured fuel on the fire.
“Damon, how could you just stand there and watch her treat our son like that? You didn’t help us at all! And because she messed up at work, the aurora trip I planned with Leo is ruined! And what she said earlier… I really… I really feel so wronged…”
She kept sobbing and ranting nonstop.
Honestly, it was getting on my nerves.
A woman’s tears and complaints…
probably the most useless things on the planet.
But she wasn’t wrong.
If this partnership had gone smoothly, the divorce would’ve been a done deal.
Now that everything’s gone sideways, I still need Ava.
So I swallowed my impatience and told both of them, “Just wait a little longer.”
“Wait? Again? How long do you expect me to wait?” Sylvia suddenly snapped.
Her voice went sharp in a heartbeat.
“Damon Ashford! I’m done! I gave you a son, I got kicked out of the pack because of you, I’ve been hiding in the shadows for years! Now you’ve reclaimed your Alpha status, and you still want me to stay invisible? I’m not going to be your secret mistress forever!”
Her meltdown made my temples throb.
I hated scenes like this, messy and out of control.
“Listen, Sylvia,” I said, lowering my voice and letting a bit of Alpha authority slip through, “tomorrow, I’m taking you to the charity gala.”
Her crying stopped like someone hit pause.
She stared at me, stunned.
As expected, Sylvia’s anger vanished immediately.
Her face lit up with excitement and a hint of pride.
“Oh, Damon, I knew you loved me the most!” She threw herself at me, looping her arms around my neck, her hot breath already brushing near my lips.
I instinctively tilted my head away, dodging her kiss.
“You need to look your best tomorrow,” I said lightly, giving myself an excuse as I eased her off me.
Disappointment flashed in her eyes, but it quickly got buried under the thrill of becoming the center of attention.
I left her room, but a strange hollowness settled in my chest.
And the moment I pushed Sylvia away, for no reason at all…
Ava’s cool, stubborn face flickered through my mind.
Must’ve been the exhaustion.
That had to be it.
Ava’s POV
Of course I didn’t go apologize to Elizabeth and Catherine, and I had zero interest in going shopping with them.
The next day, I slept until I woke up naturally, then drove alone to the most high-end boutique district in the city center.
Every top designer brand was gathered here, this was where every socialite on the East Coast fought to be seen.
I walked into a store I’d been eyeing for a long time.
Their gowns were known for bold designs and sharp silhouettes, completely different from the gentle, obedient style I used to wear.
“Miss, excellent taste. This is from our designer’s newest season, the ‘Galaxy’ collection. Only three pieces across the entire wolf race.” The saleswoman, impeccably made-up, introduced it with enthusiasm.
It was a deep blue strapless gown, its skirt covered in hand-sewn diamonds and crystals that formed a glowing night sky.
Under the lights, it shimmered like stardust, stunning to the point of stealing breath.
“This one,” I said.
I didn’t even bother trying it on.
“Of course, miss.” The saleswoman beamed and moved to ring it up.
Right then, a voice came from behind her.
“One moment, please. Someone has already purchased this dress for the lady.”