Someday, everything will make perfect sense. 

So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears,

be strong, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

~John Mayer

Chapter 2.

Time can feel like it's crawling or flying. It depends on the circumstances. For example, whenever I'm cleaning, it feels dreadful and as if time ticks by slowly because it's not enjoyable for me, but when I'm sleeping, which I love, the morning comes before I know it. Perhaps because my birthday is also a stressful occasion, it overpowers the magic in it, and the time flew by like water.

Crazy-question alert.

Am I foolish for wanting to go back to the start, even though I'll have to do everything all over again? Cleaning kept me occupied amid all the chaos in my life; I hardly had time to breathe, let alone overthink. Today, I have one task: to cook. Cooking is therapeutic for me as it eases my nerves and allows my mind to wander. What does that mean? It means overanalyzing every possible scenario and how things can go wrong in an instant, and with Chase, Chelsea, Logan, and their friends as a looming threat, it's a no-go. They used the ball as a pretext to skip school, but as long as they remain away from me like they have done so far for today, everything will be fine. The day will pass one way or another, at least with one less factor to worry about.

"Come to my room," Logan commands via mind link. So much for staying away, am I right?

"Of course, Beta," I exclaim in response. At least it happened after I finished cooking. After a short visit to my dear brother, I'll go to prepare myself for tonight.

With a heavy heart and a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, I ascend the stairs to find my brother. It's wishful thinking to believe he wants to wish me good luck. No, he wants to warn me to behave and not embarrass him in front of the other packs. Whatever is happening in this pack stays within this pack. But, In the eyes of the others, Logan and I are siblings and, therefore, connected. I couldn't care less about making him feel bad. He should feel bad for treating me like dirt on his shoes. One thing I don't want is for them to ruin my day. That's the sole reason I'll behave. They've wrecked most of my life, but today is about me. Today is a day I've been waiting for since I was a little girl. I'll be damned if I allow them to take that from me.

I knock on the door, waiting for him to give me the go-ahead to enter, and he does so after a few seconds. I approach him with my head bowed and the hair hiding my face.

"Do you know why you're here?" He questions arrogantly, with an evil smirk displayed on his face. I want to smack it off!

"Um, maybe it's because you wanted to wish me happy birthday, Brother!" I replied with false enthusiasm.

I'm sorry, Astra. You wanted to keep a low profile, but I can't with that man. Besides, I bet you're enjoying seeing my fiery side.

There's something about observing how his jaw clenches and his eyes darken in anger that provides satisfaction to me. It might cost me a little or a lot, but it's entertaining. They assume I'm stupid because I don't respond to their bullshit, but I have a brain up in that empty head of mine, and it still works. Because I don't openly use it, it doesn't mean I don't use it at all.

"You," he hisses, stepping closer to me, "I'm not your brother, nor will I ever be. If you do something wrong, even breathe loudly, I'm gonna make you wish you had died when our parents did. Do you understand me?"

Don't cry, Ava. You're stronger than that!

"I know you're hurting, but for the love of God, just say ok and move on." Astra pleads with me.

Astra is too proud to beg, and as much as I want to respond with sarcasm to disguise my hurt, I don't want to disappoint her even more.

"Ok, Beta."

"Get out," he orders, turning away from me.

Trembling either from sadness or anger, I shut the wooden door and find refuge in my dark little room. It might be dusty, old, and detached, but it comforts me. The makeshift bed supported my weight more than anyone else has, while this broken mirror reflects the pain in my heart. The dust is more important because it signifies that I can become brand new again after catharsis. Moments like the previous one bring me to my knees, and I long for hope.

"You're alright. You've been through this before, and I'm with you. Whatever happens, I'll be there for you, but you must lean on yourself. There's so much in store for you, and you'll unlock it slowly, starting today." Astra encourages me.

I pull the boxes from underneath the bed, open them, and place them in front of me. I'm contemplating whether to go to tonight's ball. I'm mentally and physically exhausted. There's only so much a person can endure, and maybe tonight might be my breaking point. However, I can't explain this feeling that I have. I feel like tonight won't go as I hope it will, but I have to go through it like there's something on the other side, and Astra knows about it. That's why she's saying these cryptic things.

I'm going tonight and putting these gifts to good use.

_____________________________________________

This dress must have cost them a fortune, but it's beautiful! I've seen many other girls wear it, and I never thought I would wear anything close to that. Yet, here I am. Dreams do come true, don't they? Mr and Mrs. Hart are like my fairy godparents that my parents sent to protect me. Even if I lived a thousand years, I would never be able to repay them for everything they've done and keep doing.

I walk into the ballroom, all dolled up in my sparkling white dress and my head held high. I'm having a Cinderella moment as every pair of eyes turn to me, scanning me from head to toe. The ugly duckling has turned into a swan, but I was never an ugly duckling, to begin with. They saw what they wanted to see, but I'm much more than that.

There's only one person I want to see the reaction of. That's my brother. I may come off as desperate, but I want to prove to him that I'm much better than him, even superficially. And here he is, walking in with their squad, Chase one of them. Chelsea is the first to notice me as they pass me, and her eyes bulge. She stops in her tracks and stammers, "A- Ava?" They all stop in their tracks and follow her eyes.

The girls in the group stare in envy while the guys lustfully. Logan doesn't express any emotion, not even for a split second, and Chase is looking at me with an unreadable expression. "Let's go. There's nothing here to see." Chase orders and the others scramble to follow.

"You are beautiful inside and out. Soon enough everyone will see how bright you shine."

Again, these are cryptic words. "Astra, are you trying to tell me something?"

"You'll figure it out soon enough." She doesn't reply to me after that.

_____________________________________________

"Astra, it's almost time. I'm anxious!" I shift my weight from one foot to another, shaking with anxiety.

"Whatever is bound to happen will happen. Don't fret about it and enjoy your birthday. You're amazing, and anyone would be lucky to have you," Astra reassured me.

The clock struck twelve, and I felt my heart race with anticipation. Am I having a stroke? I need to breathe! In and Out! In and out!

Suddenly, a woody scent catches my attention. It's a woody scent that I don't enjoy but somehow is alluring to me. Cautiously, I follow it. It leads me to a specific group. I hide behind the crowd, hoping they will mask my presence as I try to distinguish who it belongs to.

But then, I saw him. The one person I never wanted to see. My heart sinks. It can't be! Anyone else but him! Please, don't be this cruel to me!

I should get out of here before he recognizes me!

I take off my heels and dash outside to the garden. I sit on the ground behind an oak tree, not caring about the dress. How can this happen? I don't want to doubt, but he and I aren't compatible. It's cruel that the person who causes me the most hurt is my destiny.

I thought that when finding your mate, you don't need to question anything. Everything makes sense. But, there's an inner turmoil. I've longed for a mate, so I don't want him to reject me. On the other hand, I want to reject the bond because he's not worthy of me. He has never seen my worth, and this bond will change nothing. If anything, I'll be his side chick, and I'm nobody's second choice.

"I knew I would find you here," a voice calmly states.

"What are you doing here, Chase?" I ask, staring into his cold eyes, challenging him.

"You know why. You're my mate," he replied, his voice dripping with venom.

As he approaches me, I stand up to meet him.

I refuse to let him get the best of me. "And what? Do you want to keep me as your side chick?"

He laughed, but I didn't back down. "You think I would want you? You're nothing but a weakling orphan with nothing to offer this pack. If they find out, I'll be a laughing stock. What do you think I'll do? Take the heat or remove the problem from the root?"

My heart drops, and my hands become sweaty, but I don't let his words hurt me. "Go ahead then. What are you waiting for? Are you expecting me to beg you? That's not happening."

He grits his teeth before he barks these words, "I, Chase Bluemoon, reject you, Ava Rey as my mate." He waits for no second before returning inside, probably to party it up now that he's not tied to anyone.

"I, Ava Rey, accept your decision." I respond, with my heart breaking in the process. 

Apart from a few stray tears and a broken feeling inside, there's nothing else noticeable. I don't feel empty or as if something is missing me. Maybe God took pity on me.

But I can't stay here. Things will escalate quickly. Previously, Chase had no reason, none I know of, to abuse me. Now, there's a grand one.

"Are you going to do it? Fleeing, I mean."

"I am. It's about time I did so. It's happening tonight, right now that everyone is partying and the security is low. And I don't have much to pack."

"Let's get going then. You have a long road ahead of you." 

Edited: 9/10/2023

Word count: 1924