The Wounded Wolf

Chapter Seven

Lilya's POV

I finally got to Ava's quarter and said my goodbye to Alpha Damon, I wasn't sure how I survived the whole walk with him without losing it and crashing on the ground. To tell him to give Lucas another chance. I know that once he is called Dangerous all the wolves would see him as one.

I entered Ava's room, and a warm hug enveloped me, instantly washing away the remnants of my worries. It had been a while since I last saw her, especially since I had been hiding from everyone after my humiliating loss to the puppet master. But now, in her comforting embrace, I felt a sense of relief. Ava didn't know about Lucas either but I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her.

"Lilya! Finally, you're here!" Ava exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight. "I've missed you so much, you know?"

I chuckled, returning her hug with equal enthusiasm. "I've missed you too, Ava. It feels good to be back."

We settled down on the cozy couch, and as the pleasantries exchanged between us, I couldn't help but notice a mischievous sparkle in Ava's eyes. I knew her well enough to sense that she had something she wanted to share.

"So, tell me, Lilya," Ava started, her voice playful. "Any juicy battles you've been involved in lately? Or perhaps some rival pack that got a taste of your awesomeness?"

I smirked, leaning in closer. "Oh, you know me, Ava. I've been taking down rivals left and right. They can't handle my sword skills!" I lied, if only she knew I got my ass kicked by the puppet master and got betrayed by Lucas simultaneously, but I didn't want to host any pity party, that wasn't my style.

She laughed, nudging me gently. "I have no doubt about that, warrior. You're a force to be reckoned with."

As we bantered and exchanged stories of battles won and lost, I couldn't resist teasing Ava about a certain someone she had her eye on. The Beta, Alaric.

"You know, Ava," I teased, wiggling my eyebrows mischievously. "I've noticed how you light up whenever Alaric is around. Could it be that you have a tiny, little crush on him?" whenever we were on the battlefield, she would always go the extra mile so that she could be paired with him, even though he was a Beta and always stayed in the frontline, she would risk herself to stay there with him. I found it really dangerous and so I would have to be paired alongside her so that I don't end up losing my only friend because she has a crush. One is always reckless when they are in love, I can tell, I was that reckless with Lucas.

Ava's cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink, and she playfully swatted my arm. "Nonsense! I... I just appreciate his fighting skills, that's all." she was lying and I could tell from a mile away. There was no way she was simply there for his fighting skill.

I chuckled, feigning innocence. "Oh, come on, Ava. I've seen the way you steal glances at him when he's not looking. It's written all over your face!" I teased her, she was evidently having a big, tiny crush on him.

She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Alright, fine, maybe I do find him intriguing. But don't you dare tell anyone, Lilya!" she threatened me with a smirk on her face. "Or I will tell people you once had a crush on Alpha Damon,"

"I never, he is like a father to me,"

"Yes, but after I am done telling them, no one would believe all that story,"

I held up my hands in mock surrender. "Your secret is safe with me, Ava. Besides, I'm your best friend, it's my duty to tease you mercilessly." she nodded her head.

"But Alaric is so damn handsome, I would kill to have a taste of him,"

We laughed, the sound echoing through the room. At that moment, all the worries and battles faded into the background, and it was just Ava and me, staring at each other and she asked the question I knew she was dying to ask me about.

She asked me, "What about your interaction with Lucas, how did it go?" I could see the concern in her eyes, and I knew I had to be sincere with her. I recalled telling her that I had issues with Lucas when he revealed to me that he was part of the Lunar council, she wasn't aware there is more to that story she knew nothing about yet.

"Come on Lilya, don't leave me hanging, tell me what is going on, you told me you were going to confront him, how did that go?" she asked, and that was the thing with Ava she is so persistent till she gets what she wants. I knew I couldn't avoid her question, she would eventually suck it out of me.

So I opened up and said, "He is a puppet to the puppet master."

Her eyes widened in surprise, her reaction was different from that of Alpha Damon, she appeared more frightened as she responded, "I have heard of the puppet master, but I always thought that was some sort of myth or legend." That was what we were all thought and made to believe that the puppet master was a myth.

I smiled and replied, "She's not a myth, she's a mystical entity."

Ava interrupted, her curiosity piqued, "Wait, the puppet master is a woman?" this was something that came across my mind, the legend was being portrayed to be a man, all mighty and that was why I was taken aback when I discovered it to be a woman.

I nodded, confirming her question. "Yes, it's strange, but she is indeed a woman. And she has complete control over Lucas, making him do her bidding." I replied, it hurt me to admit that to her.

Ava stood up and started pacing around, clearly disturbed by the revelation. "So Lucas isn't just working for the Lunar Council, but also the puppet master? He is being a slave to them, with all his skills and all, Why would he allow himself to be used like that?" she asked, frustration evident in her voice.

"I don't know, Ava," I responded honestly. "I've asked myself that same question. He seems to be a strong-willed person until he's under her influence." I wish I could find out a reason for all this, maybe I could help him and free him from their bondage, but I ask myself again.

What if he doesn't want to be set free?

Ava glanced at me, searching for answers. "What I'm still not sure about is that an entity can take the form of a human, let alone a woman. I feel like the real enemy is still out there," she said, expressing her doubts. It had crossed my mind too but I had not had so much time to think about it. Especially with Lucas simultaneously being in my mind, it was hard for me to concentrate on one thing at once.

I reasoned with her, acknowledging her point. "You're right, Ava. It does seem unlikely. We shouldn't underestimate the possibility that there's another enemy at play, one manipulating both Lucas and the puppet master."

Then Ava glanced at me, " So Lilya, are you still in love with Lucas after knowing this about him?" she asked and I gazed at her, that was a question I had refused to ask myself.

Was I still in love with Lucas after knowing he is just a pawn?