A Door That Would Not Open
2392 Words
The decision haunted Ava the entire night.Sleep refused to come. Every time she closed her eyes, the same image replayed in her mind—the moment Adrian’s cold voice echoed across the ceremony grounds as he rejected her before the entire pack. The humiliation burned like a brand on her soul. By the time dawn crept across Silvercrest territory, Ava had already made up her mind. She needed answers. Not whispers from pack members. Not cruel taunts from Victoria. And certainly not the pitying looks she had begun to notice from some of the omegas. No. She needed to hear the truth from Adrian himself. Why? Why had the Moon Goddess chosen them? And why had he rejected her so easily? If she was going to remain in Silvercrest—or eventually leave—she could not carry these questions inside her forever. Ava pulled her cloak tighter around herself and stepped outside her small cabin. Morning life within the pack had already begun. Warriors trained near the open fields. Omegas moved quickly between buildings, carrying baskets and tools. As Ava walked past, the whispers followed her again. “She’s still here?” “I thought she would’ve run away already.”“Maybe she’s waiting for the Alpha to change his mind.” Ava kept walking. Her back straight. Her head held high. For once, she refused to let their words break her. Her destination stood at the center of the territory. The Alpha House. The large structure towered above the other buildings, built from dark timber and stone, its wide windows overlooking the entire pack grounds. It was a place Ava had rarely approached before. Her footsteps slowed as she reached the wooden steps. Her heart pounded harder now. A guard stood near the entrance. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly when he recognized her. “Ava Whitmore.” His tone carried curiosity more than judgment.“I need to see Alpha Adrian,” Ava said quietly. The guard raised an eyebrow. “For what reason?” Ava hesitated. Because she needed closure. Because she needed answers. Because a part of her still could not understand how something that had felt so powerful could be dismissed so easily.“I need to speak with him privately,” she said. The guard studied her for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, he nodded.“Wait here.” He disappeared inside the building. Ava stood at the base of the steps, her hands clasped together. What was she doing? Maybe Victoria had been right. Maybe she was humiliating herself again by coming here. Before she could change her mind, the doors opened. The guard stepped aside.“You may go in.” Ava blinked in surprise. He allowed it. Her heart pounded as she stepped inside the Alpha House. The interior smelled faintly of cedarwood and smoke. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating polished wooden floors and stone walls decorated with hunting trophies. This place felt like another world. A world far removed from the small cabin she had lived in her entire life. A familiar voice spoke from the far end of the room.“You have five minutes.” Ava turned.
Adrian stood near a large window overlooking the training grounds. Even dressed simply in a black shirt and dark trousers, his presence filled the room with quiet authority. “You wanted to see me?” he asked without turning. Ava stepped forward slowly.“Yes… Alpha.” The title tasted bitter. Finally Adrian turned to face her. His dark eyes met hers. Cold. Unreadable.“What do you want, Ava?” She forced herself to meet his gaze.“I came to ask… why.” His brow furrowed slightly. “Why what?”“Why did you reject me?” Her voice trembled despite her effort to remain calm.“The Moon Goddess chose us. Everyone felt the bond that night. Even you did.” For a brief moment something flickered in Adrian’s expression. But it disappeared just as quickly. “You are mistaken,” he said. “I’m not,” Ava whispered. “My wolf felt it.” Adrian stepped closer. His towering presence forced Ava to tilt her head slightly. “Listen carefully,” he said quietly. “The Moon Goddess makes mistakes sometimes.” The words struck her like a slap. “Mistakes?” Ava repeated. “I am the Alpha of Silvercrest,” Adrian continued. “My mate must be strong. Respected. Capable of standing beside me as Luna.” His gaze swept over her. “You are none of those things.” The words cut deep. “So you rejected me because I’m weak?” she asked softly. Adrian said nothing. His silence was enough. Ava lowered her gaze briefly before forcing herself to look back up.“Then answer one more question.” Adrian crossed his arms. “Make it quick.” “That night in the forest… when our wolves reacted to each other…” Her voice faltered.“Was that a lie too?” Something dangerous flashed in Adrian’s eyes. But he quickly masked it.“That night,” he said coldly, “was a mistake.” Ava’s heart shattered. A mistake. All the warmth. All the connection. Everything she had felt. Reduced to a single cruel word. She stepped back.“I understand,” she whispered. Adrian looked away. “As I said,” he added, “the Moon Goddess made a mistake.” Ava waited. Hoping he might say something else. But he didn’t. The silence told her everything. “Thank you for answering my question, Alpha,” she said quietly. Adrian did not respond. Ava turned towards the door. Each step she took felt heavier than the last. But strangely…her chest also felt lighter. The uncertainty that had haunted her since the ceremony was gone now but replaced with something colder. Acceptance. As she reached the doorway, Adrian’s voice suddenly echoed behind her, “Ava” she froze. For a moment hope flickered weakely inside her chest. She turned slowly. “Yes” Adrian’s expression had returned to its usual unreadable calm. “you should leave the past behind,” he said. “it would only bring you paim.” Ava studied him for a long moment. Then she gave a small nod. “you’re right,” she said softly. Then she turned and walked toward the door. This time she did not look back.
Outside, the sun shone brightly over the pack grounds. But the warmth did nothing to ease the cold feeling in Ava’s chest. As she descended the steps of the Alpha House, the doors behind her suddenly opened again. Another wolf was approaching the entrance. Ava nearly collided with her. Victoria Hale. Victoria stopped short when she recognized Ava. For a brief second, surprise flickered across her face. Then her usual mocking smile appeared.“Well,” Victoria said slowly, folding her arms. “Look who it is.” Ava said nothing. Her eyes remained calm. Victoria’s gaze shifted toward the Alpha House doors behind her. “Did you just come from Adrian?” she asked, her voice dripping with amusement. Ava remained silent. Victoria stepped closer.“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” she continued. “Even after being rejected in front of the entire pack, you’re still chasing after him?” Ava walked past her. Without a word. Without even looking at her. Victoria froze. The lack of response shocked her more than any insult could have.“Did you hear me?” Victoria snapped, turning around. But Ava kept walking. Her steps were steady. Her shoulders straight. She didn’t slowdown. She didn’t look back. For the first time since the ceremony, she refused to give Victoria the reaction she wanted. Victoria stared after her, stunned. Then her eyes slowly narrowed. Something wasn’t right. Ava Whitmore had never ignored her before. And that made Victoria very curious. Very suspicious. Her gaze drifted toward the doors of the Alpha House. A slow smile spread across her lips.“Well,” she murmured softly.“I think it’s time I had a conversation with Adrian.” And with that thought, Victoria turned and walked inside.
- Writer
