Chapter 7
1842 Words
Spencer’s Point of View
“Is everything okay? Do you two know each other?”
Ava’s voice snaps me out of it.
I realize I’ve been staring at Luna.
I force myself to blink, to breathe, to smile.
“No, no,”
I say quickly, shaking my head.
“For a second I thought I did. But I was wrong.”
I plaster on my best polite expression and step forward, holding out my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you."
There’s the smallest pause before she takes my hand.
“You too,”
she replies evenly, shaking my hand. Her grip is firm, controlled.
Ava’s eyes flick between us, her frown still there, but she doesn’t push.
“Right…”
she murmurs, then turns to Luna.
“Do you mind if I use the bathroom quickly?”
“Of course not,”
Luna says smoothly.
“It’s your bathroom now too.”
Ava smiles.
“Thanks.”
The moment the door closes behind her, the air changes.
Luna’s eyes shift, the polite warmth disappearing.
“You’re a werewolf,” she says plainly.
There’s no accusation in her voice. Just fact.
I cross my arms. “So are you.”
She doesn’t deny it.
“But you’re not from this pack,” I continue. “And you’re not a rogue.”
She shakes her head. “No. I’m not.”
Silence stretches between us for a beat.
“I’m from Blood Eclipse,” she adds.
My stomach tightens.
“Blood Eclipse?”
I repeat carefully.
She nods once.
“You’re Alpha Blackwood’s daughter.”
It’s not a question.
“Yes.”
I exhale slowly. “Why are you here?”
Her expression doesn’t waver.
“This pack has the best medical center in the region. And the university has the top medical program.”
“That’s convenient,” I say.
“It’s true,” she replies calmly.
I study her. Her scent confirms what she is. Strong, controlled, confident, not hostile in anyway.
“She doesn’t know, does she?”
Luna asks, glancing toward the bathroom door.
I follow her gaze.
“No,” I answer firmly. “She doesn’t. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
Luna nods immediately.
“I understand.”
“You’re living in close quarters with her now,” I say quietly. “If you’re here for any other reason...”
“I’m not,”
she cuts in. Not defensive. Just certain.
“I promise you, I am no threat to her.”
I hold her gaze.
“She’s my best friend.”
“I can tell.”
“And I would do anything to make sure she’s safe.”
Her jaw tightens slightly.
“I respect that.”
Before I can respond, the bathroom door opens.
“Everything okay in here?”
Ava asks, stepping out and looking between us.
Luna and I turn toward her at the same time.
“Yeah, of course,” Luna says easily. “We were just talking about classes.”
I nod.
“Yeah. And I told her about our idea to go out for lunch after we finish unpacking.”
Luna smiles.
“I said I’d love to. It’d be a great opportunity to get to know both of you.”
Ava studies us for a second longer.
Then she smiles.
“Great. Then let’s get started.”
We head down to her car to grab the rest of her things.
The tension slowly eases as we carry boxes and bags up to the dorm room. Ava insists on taking the heaviest one, stubborn as always.
“You’re not proving anything,” I mutter as I grab the other side.
“Yes, I am,” she shoots back. “That I can carry my own anatomy textbooks without assistance.”
Luna chuckles softly as she lifts one of Ava’s duffels. “Anatomy textbooks?”
She glances at Ava. “So, what’s your major?”
Ava looks over her shoulder with a grin. “Medicine.”
Luna pauses slightly. “Medicine?”
“Last semester,” Ava adds proudly. “If I survive finals.”
Luna’s brows lift. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“For real?” Luna asks, a small smile forming. “You’re in the medical program?”
“Yeah,” Ava says, nudging the dorm door open with her hip. “I want to be a doctor. It’s kind of been the plan since I was a kid.”
Luna steps inside slowly. “Same.”
Ava freezes halfway to setting her box down. “Wait. You’re medical too?”
“Final semester,” Luna replies. “Transferred credits lined up. I’ll graduate on time.”
Ava’s face lights up. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“What are you planning to specialize in?” Ava asks immediately.
“Trauma surgery,” Luna answers without hesitation.
Ava lets out a low whistle. “Okay, impressive.”
“What about you?” Luna asks.
“Cardiology,” Ava says. “Or maybe emergency medicine. I keep going back and forth.”
“Emergency medicine is chaos,” Luna says lightly.
“I like chaos,” Ava fires back.
“I noticed,” I mutter under my breath.
Ava ignores me. “Cardiology is structured. Precise. But emergency medicine… it’s raw. Immediate. You’re right there when it matters most.”
Luna nods slowly. “That’s why I chose trauma. You don’t get time to hesitate.”
Ava studies her for a moment. “Most people in our year are terrified of trauma rotations.”
“Most people don’t like pressure,” Luna replies.
“And you do?” Ava challenges playfully.
Luna’s lips curve slightly. “I perform well under it.”
I watch the two of them carefully.
This isn’t forced. It’s natural.
“You know,” Ava says, setting down the box and crossing her arms, “this might actually work out perfectly.”
“How so?” Luna asks.
“Study partner,” Ava says simply. “Final exams are brutal.”
Luna smiles. “You’re not wrong.”
“You’ve done your surgical rotations already?” Ava asks.
“Yeah,” Luna replies. “You?”
“Finished mine last month.”
“How’d they go?”
Ava groans dramatically. “I didn’t pass out, so I’m counting it as a win.”
Luna laughs. “That’s a low bar.”
“Hey, have you ever stood in an OR for eight hours straight while someone quizzes you on arterial branches?”
“Fair,” Luna admits.
“Favorite rotation?” Ava asks.
“Trauma,” Luna says instantly.
“Of course,” Ava teases.
“You?”
Ava thinks for a second. “Pediatrics surprised me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think I’d like it. But kids are resilient. It’s… motivating.”
Luna nods. “That makes sense.”
“And cardiology?” Luna asks.
“I loved it,” Ava admits. “The precision. The rhythm. It’s like the heart has its own language.”
Luna’s gaze sharpens slightly. “It does.”
They hold eye contact for a second longer than necessary.
I clear my throat. “So basically, the two of you are going to turn this dorm room into a 24/7 study lab.”
Ava beams at me. “You’re welcome to join.”
“I’ll pass,” I say quickly.
Luna glances at me. “What are you specializing in?”
“Orthopedics,” I reply.
Ava points at me. “See? We’re all insane.”
Luna laughs softly. “That’s one word for it.”
We finish carrying the last of the boxes inside.
As Ava unpacks her books, Luna picks one up, flipping through it.
“You’re using this edition?” she asks.
“Yeah,” Ava says. “You?”
“Same.”
Ava grins. “Okay, that’s creepy.”
“Efficient,” Luna corrects.
“You’re serious about trauma?” Ava presses. “Like… surgical residency serious?”
“Yes.”
“No backup plan?”
“No.”
Ava studies her for a moment. “I like that.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone keeps telling me to have a fallback,” Ava says. “Like wanting something intensely is naïve.”
Luna’s expression softens just slightly. “It’s not naïve.”
“It’s not?” Ava asks.
“No,” Luna says firmly. “It’s focused.”
Ava smiles slowly. “Okay. I’m officially excited about this living arrangement.”
“Because of me?” Luna asks lightly.
“Because I won’t be the only one awake at 3 a.m. muttering about pathology.”
“I don’t mutter,” Luna says.
“You will during finals,” Ava replies confidently.
I shake my head, but my wolf has fully relaxed now.
This? This is real.
“Well,” Ava says after we finally finish unpacking, “coffee and pizza still happening?”
“Definitely,” I answer.
Luna nods. “I could use caffeine.”
We head to our favorite coffee shop and slide into a booth.
“So,” Luna says after taking a sip of her coffee, “if you don’t mind me asking… why were you looking for a place so late in the year?”
Ava hesitates briefly.
“You don’t have to tell me,” Luna adds quickly.
Ava shakes her head. “No, it’s fine.”
She sets her slice of pizza down.
“My ex and I were supposed to move in together.”
Luna’s jaw tightens slightly. “Ex?”
“Adam,” Ava says. “Found out he was cheating.”
Luna’s eyes darken. “That’s pathetic.”
I nod. “Very.”
Ava shrugs. “It hurt. But honestly? It would’ve hurt more if I stayed.”
“Absolutely,” Luna says immediately. “Better to find out now.”
“Exactly,” Ava replies.
There’s a brief silence.
Then Luna reaches over and squeezes Ava’s hand gently.
“I’m really sorry,” she says quietly. “No one deserves that.”
Ava smiles softly. “Thanks.”
“You’re better off,” I add firmly.
Ava nods. “I know.”
Luna leans back slightly. “Well. New semester. New place. New focus.”
“And brutal final exams,” Ava adds.
“And brutal final exams,” Luna agrees.
Ava laughs. “Roommates share notes, right?”
“They do,” Luna says.
“And secrets?” Ava asks playfully.
Luna meets her gaze. “Only the safe ones.”
Ava grins. “Fair enough.”
I pick up my mug and lift it slightly.
“To new beginnings,” I say.
Luna raises hers too. “And surviving our last semester.”
Ava beams and lifts her mug as well.
“And new friendships.”
Our mugs clink together in the center of the table.
“To new beginnings and new friendships,” Ava repeats.
And for now, that’s enough.
- Writer
