There is no benefit in 

worrying whatsoever

~Dalai Lama

Chase's pov.

"Dude, do you want to hit the clubs?" Ash- a pack member and close friend- perks up from the couch.

I shake my head, gulping down the bottle of water.

"Is this because of Luke's sister -what was her name again? Was it Ruth or maybe Eve?"

I growl, "Her name's Ava, and no, it's not about her. I just don't feel like it. Do I have to explain myself to you? Did you forget who's the Alpha in the pack?"

He throws his arms in the air. "Don't kill me. I said that to unwind that tension that's building up."

I throw one last menacing look his way and storm to my room.

"Can't a man get a moment to himself?" I groan, looking at Chelsea sprawled on my bed with only her underwear on.

She winks and says, "I thought you liked this. Isn't this why you're with me?"

"Yes, but not every day is the same. Get your things and leave my room. I want to sleep."

"Can't you do that with me?" She complains in her high-pitched voice.

"Fine. If you don't go, I will."

I snatch a jacket from my closet, followed by my wallet and car keys. I walk out of the house, motioning for Ash to follow. He scrambles out of his seat, running after me with a massive grin as if he won the lottery.

"I don't want to know what changed your mind, but I'm happy it did."

"Shut up and tell me where to go."

He stares at my passive face for a few minutes before he mumbles, "Loco."

I know exactly where this club is. I've frequented this club since it opened its doors to the public. Liam, I, and a few other friends hit that club multiple times a week, but we haven't been there since before my birthday. Ash might be an immature asshole, with women being the only thing on his mind, but he's right. My mind's heavy with a lot of concerns that only liquor will tune them out.

We pull up to the club, and Ash jumps out of the car. He bumps fists with the bouncer, who allows us to cut the line and enter.

Ash follows me to the bar and orders shots while I opt for whiskey. He hits three shots at once before finding his way to the dance floor, dancing with girls intimately.

Usually, this sight would be appealing to me, but tonight, it makes me feel disgusting. It's not my doing, but my wolf's. Since Ava fled the pack, he has been a moping mess, insulting me and barking orders at others. As for me, I couldn't care less about Ava, but it angers me that she left without my consent. I'm the Alpha, and only what I say happens. How dare she leave without my permission?

There's no way I would have let her leave anyway. It's up to me whether I'll accept her as my mate, but one thing won't change. She's mine, my property. Mine to keep and mine to discard.

"Why are you alone, handsome?" A pretty blonde with big breasts and ass on display approaches me, brushing upon me.

"Scramble."

"Won't you buy me a drink?" She questions, grabbing my drink, dubbing her finger in my whiskey, and then putting that finger in her mouth.

"Find another guy to whore around with. I'm not in the mood."

She huffs in disbelief, then throws the drink to my face before storming off. The whiskey smell enters my nostrils as it drips down my face, staining my black shirt and blue jeans.

I should just kill her tonight for disrespecting an Alpha, but I'm feeling too bored to lift a finger. If I stumble upon her again, she'll pay for this multiplied.

I follow the familiar route to the bathroom, but as I'm ready to enter the men's bathroom, the women's door opens before slamming shut a few seconds later.

Intrigued, I approach the door.

"What are you doing here?" Ash creeps up on me.

With a last glance at the door, I turn to Ash, and we enter the bathroom together. "A bitch threw a drink at me."

Ava's pov.

Zoey and I use our weight to prevent the door from opening. The door slams open despite our efforts, leaving us staring at the entrance dumbfounded.

"Are you stupid? Why were you blocking the door? It's not your property to keep us out." A brunette woman around our age in a short glittery dress grumbles. Behind her, three to four girls enter, sending glares to us.

Zoey and I ignore the women and exchange glances of relief.

"Let's get the heck out of this bar," Zoey states, linking arms with me.

She opens the door, poking her head out to ensure there's no one outside. "Safe," she says, ushering me away from the bathroom and the club.

~

Cracking the door open, we enter the dark house, walking on our tippy toes.

"Safe and sound, without anyone finding out." She whispers.

But then, the light turns on. Alpha Xander is standing at the end of the staircase. He has crossed his arms, making his muscles bugle, and there's a stern look on his face.

Today is the day I'll be sent back to where I came from. I didn't even last a couple of days.

"Baby? Why aren't you asleep? Should I warm you up a glass of milk?" Zoey offers, a guilty smile on her face.

Both of us hold our breaths as he closes on us.

He spares no look at me as he lifts and throws Zoey over his shoulder. She raises her head a little and winks at me before they disappear.

I don't even want to know what they're going to do.

I hurry to my room before he changes his mind and returns to punish me for leaving with his mate without permission.

I shut the door and lock it. I throw my shoes to the side and fall on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a trance.

What are the chances I would go out once and stumble upon the person I escaped from? Slim, aren't they?

But it's me we're talking about. Anything is possible when it comes to me. Sometimes, I get surprised by my luck.

Thank God, I saw him in time and locked the door. I hope I'm fortunate enough not to land back in their pack. This time, they'll kill me for sure.

The picture of Chase standing out of the bathroom keeps replaying. From an objective point of view, Chase looked hot. The t-shirt showed off his chest and arm muscles and the tight jeans hugged his huge thighs perfectly. If only he spent a third of that time to train his mind. He's as stupid as they come. Rejecting me for a girl like Chelsea, whose only job is to spread her legs for anyone breathing, was a dumb move. I may not come from the best family, but I have more to offer to the pack. He did me a favor, though.

If he accepted me, I would have to jump through hoops to stay alive.

One good thing that came out was that I decided to train harder. I hate how hopeless I felt when I saw Chase. If he had spotted me, he would have brought me back to the cell I lived in, and I wouldn't be able to do anything to defend myself.

I don't know if I will be able to take him down no matter how hard I train, but I intend to ensure I feel safe in case things go wrong.

If they don't kick me out tomorrow, I'll ask if they can train me, but only in human form because I don't want anyone to learn my secret.

They took me in and treated me humanely, but I have known these people for less than a day.

No one can guarantee things will not change after they learn I'm a white wolf.

If I ever disclose my secret, it would be to people whom I trust my life with.

Please, God, allow me to stay more in this pack. I'll use all these days here to better and strengthen myself.

They'll see my worth if we cross paths again. They won't ever dare mess with me.

The real story of Ava Rey is starting now.

Edited: 24/01/2024

Words: 1423 words