Shadows of Desire and Pain: She Strikes Back

Chapter Three:HisWay

It’s been years, 5 years specifically since the tragic demise of Conner’s parents, and since Ava left the pack without return.

Five years had passed since the darkness descended upon Conner McAllister's life. He had risen to become Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, his every thought consumed by the burning desire for revenge against Alpha Zik and his pack—the ones he held responsible for the brutal execution of his parents.

Suddenly there was news that Ava has returned. Conner was thrilled to know this. He had missed her, and loved her still; however his seek for revenge was greater than his feelings.

Alpha Zik in celebration of his daughter’s return had ordered a celebration party for her, and when Conner heard this, he knew he wasn’t ready to miss this chance for the world.

Conner arrived at the party but he didn’t get off his car. He sat inside his car trying to control his feelings. He was back at this house after 8 years.

This particular house was once his second home. He and Ava had been practically inseparable, and so he was always with her here playing behind the house, or in the woods behind their house.

It all felt like yesterday, the memory of their time together was still fresh in his memory. He couldn’t believe he actually still missed her despite all her dad did to his parents.

“Alpha, we are here.” Beta Damian reminded him, and he nodded.

His eyes moved back to the house which was filled with so many werewolves. He knew he had planned this for years, but now in the face of it, he was no longer so sure about himself.

“Alright, let’s go.”

He knew that it could be tactful for him to step into another’s territory uninvited, so he sent his Gamma ahead to announce his arrival.

He approached the house, ignoring the familiarity and memories that kept tugging at his heart, and immediately he entered, all eyes moved to him. Every other werewolf was merely wondering who he was, but he knew that Alpha Zik didn’t want him there. Their gaze met from across the room and it became heated, but he did his best in keeping his cool.

Just when things were becoming practically unbearable, the scent caught his attention. He scanned the area for her, well aware for the longing that was tugging deep inside him, until his eyes fell on her.

He gasped. “Damn, she looks so beautiful and hot.”

Their eyes met and he felt his wolf leaping for joy inside him. He couldn’t help but smile at her, she suddenly felt like a breath of fresh air in the heated atmosphere. His heart almost skipped a beat when she grinned at him, and ran to hug him, and when he held her in his arms and sniffed in her scent, it felt as though nothing else mattered. He suddenly felt a strange need to kiss her, but he found a way to keep that feeling under control.

“You look very beautiful.” He whispered to her, and she held onto him tight.

“I can’t believe how much I’ve missed you.” She told him, and he smiled and kissed her cheek.

“I know that feeling so well. It’s been so long.” He said and slowly released her while flashing her his signature dimpled smile.

He watched her for a while, trying to get her look well registered in his mind, but she soon became shy under his intense gaze.

“What?” She laughed shyly, and he grinned.

“I’m afraid you look just too gorgeous, how is someone allowed to be this beautiful?” He said flashing her a flirty smile and Ava grinned.

“Jesus. Conner!” She laughed at his obvious moves at her, and he joined in.

He could be himself with her, and somehow that scares him. Suddenly, his wolf became alert as though there was a danger coming his way, and when he looked, Alpha Zik was coming at them with a deep frown on his face. He took a deep breath to calm his rage.

“Alpha Conner, you came, I didn’t realize you were invited.”

“Wait, What?” Ava looked genuinely confused, but Conner turned his attention back to Alpha Zik.

“Hello Alpha Zik, I thought I should come over and check on Ava. I heard she came into town.” His confidence was unwavering, and he saw Alpha Zik narrow his eyes slightly at how he was holding his daughter.

“Ava, could you give us a minute alone? Go find your mom.” Alpha Zik said stiffly, and staring between them briefly, she reluctantly left his embrace. She made to leave and then paused.

“Don’t leave without telling me though.” She told him softly, and he flashed her another smile.

“I will come find you after am done talking to your dad.” He told her and she grinned cutely and Left. His smile widened. He couldn’t believe that she was still this cute.

“Alpha Conner, we need to talk.” Alpha Zik said all of a sudden, and his smile disappeared in a spite second.

“Yeah, what’s this about?” Conner asked indifferently as he put his had into his trouser pockets. All the love he once had for this man had long disappeared and he wasn’t worried about it.

“Stay away from my daughter.” He said immediately, and a small smirk appeared on Conner's lips.

“Was that a threat? Because it sure did sound like it.” Conner was being croaky and he didn’t care.

“I don’t care what you think Conner. Stay away from my daughter.” His voice held a note of warning, and Conner smiled.

“Am afraid I can’t do that Alpha Zik, infact I think I would be seeing her a lot more.” Conner said calmly, the smirk never leaving his face. This seemed to infuriate Alpha Zik even more.

“Conner!!”

He didn’t respond, he only stared back at him challengingly and that got Alpha Zik even more annoyed.

“Let me make this clear, Ava is off limits for you.” Alpha Zik declared but Conner scoffed.

“Well yet again that is impossible Alpha Zik. I mean no disrespect what so ever, but Ava is my mate, and I am going to marry her. I hope you give us your blessings though.” He replied, and in a growl of rage, Alpha Zik shifted and howled from rage, and his Gamma and most of his pack shifted too as though there was a threat, but Conner maintained his stand, the smirk never leaving his face.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” Ava called out immediately she got to the scene, and Alpha Zik slowly shifted back to his human form. But non of them replied her.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Alpha Zik, Ava, it was nice being here. I will take my leave now.” Conner said calmly, and then flashed a smile at Ava before he turned to leave not sparing Alpha Zik another look.

“I will see you off.” Ava suggested, following him immediately.

“Ava, Don’t……”

“Don’t worry dad, I will be back before you know it.” With this being said, she followed him, and Alpha Zik sighed deeply trying to control his rage.

“For what it’s worth, am sorry for what happened in there even though I don’t know what happened.” Ava said as soon as they got outside, and Conner turned to look at her with a full smile.

“No am the one who should apologize. I showed up without warning, that sure is threatening.”

“No, not when it’s you.” She said and his smile fell.

“Especially when its me.” He muttered under his breath but she didn’t hear him.

“I doubt this is the right time, but I heard you lost your parents. Am really sorry.” She said softly, and his frown deepened. “But, really what happened?”

“Um, I don’t think I want to talk about that right now.” He said, his voice cracking a bit in the process, and she smiled, softly taking his hands in hers.

“Right, let’s not damp the mood.” She grinned cutely at him, and slowly his smile returned at how cute she was.

“But what’s up with you being an Alpha though, I heard that right, didn’t I? She asked with an excited smile and he grinned.

“It’s a long story V.” He said and pinched her cheek slightly but she frowned.

“I want to hear about that. I want to hear about everything.” She said, and he laughed.

“We have a lot of catching up to do love. Why don’t we see each other later.” He said, and she nodded.

He took her phone and typed in his number for her, and then flashed his line to get her number before giving it back to her.

“Text me when you are free. Tomorrow will be OK though if that’s fine with you. But if you happen to be busy, you can just hit me up.” He said with a smile, and hugged her, she grinned again.

He sniffed in her scent and moaned in excitement. “God I’ve missed you so much V. Thanks for coming back.” He said hugging her tightly, and she smiled a little.

He suddenly broke off from the hug, and held her shoulder enough to look into her eyes.

“You don’t have a boyfriend right?”

She stared at him.

“Wait, or do you?” He frowned.

“Does that even matter?” She asked searching her brain.

He groaned and sliding a hand round her waist, he pushed her closer till she was pinned up against him. She moaned excitedly at that.

“You are my mate, and I won’t want to share you with anyone. Never.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend, do you have a girlfriend?” She asked and he smiled and shook his head.

“No, I’ve been waiting for you to return.”

Their eyes met and held, shinning under the moonlight. He could look at her all night, but suddenly he was reminded of his real intention.

“See you tomorrow Ava.” He said with a low voice, and this time she couldn’t smile. She was so caught up in the moment to.

Conner gently kissed her forehead, and then slowly let her go.

“Bye Ava.” He said, and flashing her another smile, he entered the car which door was already opened by his Gamma. And as they drove out, he waved at her, and then he took a deep breath to keep his control in check.

He had to keep his mind on the main task at hand. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to marry Ava. Alpha Zik was afraid of him and it was obvious, but he needed to win them over, at least enough for him to marry her as planned.

It wasn’t easy to convince her dad that she wanted to be with Conner. She loved him still, and felt it was wickedness to be restricted from marrying her mate without being rejected by her mate.

“You will not marry Conner," Conner murmured, his voice strained with suppressed emotion. "I am your father and—"

"Dad, I love Conner," Ava interrupted her voice firm yet tinged with vulnerability. "He is my mate and I intend to marry him. Haven’t you done enough already dad? Do you still have to stop me from marrying the man I love?”

Zik's jaw tightened, grappling with conflicting emotions. "Ava, you don't understand..."

But Ava's gaze held steadfast, undeterred by the barriers he erected. "I understand more than you think," she replied softly. "I know you don’t want me to suffer, and I know you love me. However Conner loves me too, and am sure he will take good care of me. You can trust us, please dad."

Alpha Zik stood up in rage. It was hard for him to explain in details to his daughter why he was so afraid of releasing her to Conner. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her that he had ordered the execution of his parents to save her.

“Go to your room Ava, we are done having this conversation.”

Ava turned to her father, her eyes pleading. "Father, please. Conner is my mate. I want to be with him."

Unseen to Ava, Alpha Zik's expression tightened with the revelation that it will be hard to stop his daughter. His heart, torn between his love for his daughter, and his need to protect her, he however chose the first. He nodded tersely, masking his inner turmoil with a facade of compliance.

"Ava, I will talk to Conner about this," Conner stated flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Go to your room."

Ava's eyes widened with sudden realization of what his father meant. A sudden feeling of joy spread through her as she understood this.

There will be a wedding, but this wedding unknown to her was going to be the beginning of her troubles