Page 56 of Ava: Part One

“You need to learn how to focus all that energy before it destroys you, Ava,” he continued as he picked up his paperwork. “And don’t do anything stupid. The forest is no place for anyone.”

How the hell had he known what she was thinking? But as she rushed out after him, he had already disappeared from the hallway. Again.

Chapter 39

Jared was waiting outside as he had promised. He was leaning against his car, eating an apple. Ava had to wonder why he was doing this. So far, he’d shown no prejudice and helped her several times. Was this still because of the person he hadn’t been able to help? What had happened to them? Had they died?

Jared aimed his unfinished apple at a nearby trashcan when he saw her approaching and then walked around to open thepassenger side door. Though it was past dinner time, many people were hanging around, and many stopped to stare.

“I see you’ve made it out in one piece today,” Jared said as he started the car.

His tie was loose as it always was, and he had released his hair, so he looked like one of those human actors that females went crazy for. This was the type of guy she wanted kissing her. Not angry, irrational wolves.

“They didn’t make me fight today,” she answered.

“You sound disappointed.”

“I really want to punch something,” she admitted.

“It’s best to avoid conflict around here. The Council gets involved once you break the serious rules,” Jared said.

Was that what Emily had meant when she said they take you in?

“Which rules, specifically? And what do they do to you?”

Jared looked away from the road to look at her briefly. She thought he wouldn’t answer her either.

“They break you, Ava. They destroy everything that makes you you; take all your dreams and all your hopes, and they smash them.. And no one can save you from that,” Jared said quietly. “So try not to cause too many waves, okay?”

It was still a vague answer. But as they drove down the back roads and the forest came into view, she realised that anyone who could trap so much evil in a place like that had to be capable of doing a lot more than that.

“Have you ever broken a serious rule?” she asked.

Jared didn’t answer for a while. He stayed silent until he’d driven up his driveway, and then once he had switched the car off, he sighed and looked at her.

“I have,” he admitted.

His beautiful eyes held so much pain, and then his eyes glowed for a few seconds before he took a breath and got out of the car. She wouldn’t ask him again if it brought up painful memories.

Jared paused at the door and looked back further down the road with a frown. She saw nothing, obviously because her eyes would never be as good as a wolf’s. But whatever he saw couldn’t have been bad because he continued into the house.

When she followed him into the house, the smell of dinner made her forget everything. She took a deep breath and practically drooled. Jared knew how to live well, that was for sure.

“Go up to the second door on your left,” he said as they came to the staircase. “Freshen up before dinner. I’ve had some things brought in for you.”

She was about to do what he said when she paused at his statement.

“What do you mean?”

“Someone told me what happened to your dorm. You’ll stay here until they fix your room and start stocking your food.”

Her eyes bulged out.

“Are you allowed to do that?” she whispered, looking around in case anyone heard his crazy statement.

There was a rule about mixing with Alphas, so there would be a rule about living with them.

“They’re not allowed to deprive you of food or security, no matter your role or rank,” Jared shrugged.

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