Ava’s POV
“I’ll see you down there,” Liam said, stepping back and heading off down the corridor, his wide shoulders fading into the shadows of the hall.
I stood frozen, my heart slamming against my ribs. A wave of warmth spread through me, the pull of something deep and essential, bigger than myself. For the first time, I let myself admit it: I didn’t want to leave the Oakwood Pack. I didn’t want to leave Liam. I wanted to stay, to blend my life with theirs, with his.
I ducked into my room, my steps light and jittery, flicking on the lamp by the table as a soft golden glow filled the space. I hurried to freshen up, dousing my face with water, my thoughts swirling. Guilt chewed at me—why was I feeling like this? Liam, the guy who’d kicked me out of the pack five years back, had somehow c
