The Wolf, The Bird and The Siren

NINE

3 weeks later. The morning of Noah’s birthday

Ava

What do you mean you guys won’t go? It’s Noah’s birthday J! 

I angry-type the text and huff, gritting my teeth. I lean against the empty bar, it looks soulless during the day, only a few customers day-drinking is not a pretty sight. At least there aren’t any vampires because of the daylight, they give me the creeps.  

“What's the matter?” Cleis hugs me from behind and I feel slightly better

“She says she won’t go tonight. I can’t believe it! I haven’t seen her for weeks! Every time I come she is working elsewhere. And now she says she has to work tonight too? Can’t you give her the day off?” I bite the words out and turn around. He frowns, an expression that I haven’t seen before.

“Ava, there are some things you should know.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and plays with a strand of hair. He turns his gaze to it and analyzes the strand intently 

“What?” I snatch the strand of hair from his hand and his eyes meet mine slowly. 

“Your friends are out of control. I treated Jada like family from the beginning and she did some things that..” he drops one hand from my shoulder and grabs my hand “well let’s just say, some things that she wasn’t supposed to do, and she dragged Emi and other girls into it too”. His words make my heart sink. I can’t believe she would ruin this opportunity! She can go to juvie and get in trouble with the ICSB in a heartbeat.

“Cleis I am so sorry, please she is in probation, let me talk to--”

“My little star. Don’t worry so much. I gave Jada another chance and didn’t report it, but now she has to work doubles to make up for it.” His response lessens my worry instantly and I am thankful he is so forgiving. 

“Thank you so much! I am so sorry this happened, what did she do?” I ask, hoping it's not that bad.

“It’s not a problem Ava, I did it for you. It’s best if we keep work separate from our relationship from now on. ” his words delicate against my skin. 

“Okay. Thank you” I lean in for a hug and he hugs me back eagerly, his hands circling my waist. I look past him and see gorilla-John standing by the VIP door, watching us. One of Cleis’ gorillas was always standing there. I often wondered why and if I was VIP enough to finally go in there. John continues to eye us out with an unreadable expression as Cleis places tender kisses on my neck. I shudder at the combination of both and whisper “could you have chosen a scarier man for a bodyguard?” 

He chuckles “his job is to be scary” he lets go of me slowly, locking his eyes on mine, amusement fading away “Ava, there is something else you should know” he looks at me for a second but then turns around, he steals a glance towards John before looking at me again.

“What?” I fidget with my the hem of my dress

“After graduation I asked John to trail you” he confesses and looks away

“What? Why? He’s been following me around!?” I raise my voice and puff. A feeling of dread rising at the thought of someone watching me.

“I did it for your protection after I saw the way your friend was acting.” He pauses for my reaction and I guess he is not happy with my face because his voice drops to his soothing tone “I was so worried for your safety. I am sorry I kept it from you but I am not sorry I did it. John found him following you several times.” The words register and I shake my head in disbelief 

“What? When?” I raise my head and look at John across the room. He is still watching us. I hope he kept his gorilla-hands off of Noah. I look back at Cleis and he reads my expression way too easily. He grabs my face in between his palms.

“Did you hear what I said? He was watching your every move. He was stalking you Ava. And you are worried about him?” The sound of his question pulls at my heart. He looks pained and it’s my fault. 

“I just don’t think he would ever hurt--”

“Stop Ava. You are letting your affection for him cloud your judgement. Listen to me please.” He leans into me, dropping one hand from my cheek but keeping the other there. He circles my neck with the free hand, his face inches from mine “my little star. Have you made up your mind and finally chosen to come live with me? I want you to stay with me tonight and always. Safe. You should not go to this party and add fuel to the fire” his words are alive. I feel every ounce of worry and love in them and I close my eyes. I know he’s right. I feel thankful to have him but sorry this is possibly the end of me and Noah. 

“What about my job?” I ask, already knowing what he is going to say

“Quit today. I told you that you don’t need to work, I can--”

“No! I want to work Cleis. I am not taking your money” there’s no way on earth I want anyone to think I am some sort of golddigger. 

“If you insist on working quit that waitress job, and do it here” he says 

“Fine. I will call work and I will stay with you. But I have to go get something from the home. The only thing I have from my mom.” I tilt my face slightly away from him and he frowns

“John will take you after midnight when the party's over. I can’t go, I have an important meeting. I’ll take care of informing Ms. Davidson so don’t worry about that” he pulls my face closer to his again and this time uses the other hand to pull my hips into his. 

“Fine” I mumble as the friction of our bodies brings a pleasant warmth in between my thighs. I can’t believe that we haven’t done the deed, but everytime I think we will, he stops. I don’t get it. He reads my mind and his lips brush mine “I can’t take it anymore little star. I want you in every way possible” he closes the gap between us and our lips intertwine. The kiss takes me to heaven but soon I feel self-conscious of people watching us so I pull away.

“Then what are you waiting for?” I ask, a bit out of breath. He rubs his chin and looks towards the bar. He knows I am talking about s*x.

“That’s a big step for us. It shouldn’t be taken lightly. Everytime ‘that’ happens you bond with that person in a way you cant even explain. I just want to make sure you are ready for it, and sure that you want me like I want you” he looks at me briefly and then diverts his gaze again. Where on earth did this man come from? I didn’t know men could possibly wait this long. I guess my most vivid example is Noah, and hell, I guess he’s bonded pretty deeply with half of the town. A flood of ache invades me and I try to shake it off right away. I can’t keep pining over Noah when I have a treasure in front of me.

“I am sure I want you. Only you” I try to convince myself of it. I have to do this. His gaze locks with mine and he smiles

“Are you sure? I know heartbreak and I don’t want it” He says simply and honestly. I can’t believe a man is saying this. Maybe I have the wrong conception of men.

“Yes I am sure” I say, lifting my chin. He smiles and I continue teasingly “I didn’t know that the city’s most eligible bachelor could ever be heartbroken” I place both hands above my heart and pout, he laughs loudly and the sound fills me with joy.

“You’d be surprised, my little star.” He pulls me into his arms again and leans close “tonight is the night then” he wipers softly and I nod with a huge smile. 

...

That night

Noah

I look around the large house that belongs to one of Trevon’s friends. I can’t believe some people have all this. At least Trevon has friends that can share their homes for an afterparty like tonight. I only ever had a violent-drunk father and a small room. I swallow the last gulp of my drink.

“You have to slow down Noah!” Trevon yells in my face as if I cannot hear him above the loud music and the sound of people talking everywhere. I take another gulp of my drink and continue my task of watching the door intently.

“She is not coming” I declare without looking at him. People from all over town show up for this stupid party except the one person I have been waiting for. I crush the empty red cup with one hand and imagine its Cleis’ face. 

“Uh, maybe she and--”

“No. Do not say his name. She’s mine Trevon” I stand abruptly to make my point but lose my balance. The alcohol hits my head in a rush. Trevon holds my arm and I notice several girls  looking. A brunette with lush lips waves, damn, what was her name? 

She’s not our mate

My wolf snaps in my head and I refocus my eyes on Trevon. I am still not used to having a voice in my head. 

“Are you sure she is your mate? Because you haven’t seen her all day and maybe she is not--”

“I am not wrong!” I growl at my friend but he barely flinches “why does everyone doubt me? Jada isn’t even here so that I can prove her wrong” I search around for another drink, I can’t believe my own sister didn’t show up. I am sure that’s why Em didn’t come either. I find half an empty bottle and decide to drink it. f**k it. 

“If you are right Noah, maybe she felt the bond between you beforehand too…” he looks at me and then his gaze shifts towards the group of girls still looking at us, he looks at me again and raises his eyebrows. I get his little message, but what am I supposed to say? That I wasn’t entirely sure and that she meant too much to me to just see her as someone to f**k with? I take a big gulp from the bottle and point my finger at him

“Don’t! She knows I love her and those girls are just...” I look at the brunette again and take a another gulp

“Just what Noah? It doesn’t matter. Either way you took for granted her--”

“Her friendship? Her company? Her love?” I snap. Trevon raises his hands in surrender and I push past him. I try to walk in a steady line while I keep my eyes on the door frame. I need to find her now. 

“Where are you going? Give me that” Trevon snatches the bottle from my hand 

“I n-need to find her” I hold myself on the frame of the door and look outside. The full moon greets me and I wave back. Thank you, moon goddess, mother of all wolves! Thank you for giving me f*****g hormones worth 100 men. I feel Trevon close behind me, yelling.

“Noah slow down!! If someone sees you like this--”

“Back o-off Trev!!” I push him and he falls. He looks up in surprise and shakes his head

“You are out of control Noah. I am done helping you” He stands up and walks back into the house. I turn back towards the road and begin to walk. Where is she...she’s with him. I will walk all night if I need to. I look at the moon again and it's smiling back, laughing at me. I get it goddess, I learned my lesson. You gave me my mate all these years and I played with her heart. I want her back!!! 

“I-I LEARNED M-MY LESSSSON!! WHERE IS SH-SHE??” I yell at her but she just laughs at me. I raise my head high, sniffing the air, searching for her scent. How does she smell like? Why can’t I remember?

Because you have been ignoring her for months you f*****g idiot

Shut up Alec

He’s right. I need to go back to the home and find something of hers so I can follow her scent. Why can’t I remember? I consider shifting but it hurt like hell just a few hours ago and took forever. I pick up the pace and head to the home, just a couple of blocks away. It pays off to live in a small scrappy town at times. I see the building in the distance and pick up the pace. A car is parked at the main entrance, someone familiar waiting.

Avoid him

I listen to my wolf and go through the back. I stop at the backdoor and my head spins from the running. I hold myself against the wall and feel a warming sensation rising within my throat. 

Focus 

Alec brings me back and I swallow the alcohol that was threatening to come out. I search for the spare key under a plant pot and unlock the backdoor that leads to the cafeteria. I walk in silently, it’s pitch black but I know my way around. I cross the cafeteria as quickly as I can and push open the swing doors that lead to the common area. I look around to make sure no one sees me go into the girls section. As soon as I enter the girls’ hallway a smell of fish hits my nostrils and rides all the way into my brain. I feel the need to puke again and I stop.

It’s his smell

Alec’s growl infuriates me and I follow the smell. It leads me directly to Ava’s room. I slam the door open and see her packing a bag

“Ava!?” 

MINE!

Alec roars joyfully in my head and Ava freezes in place when she sees me. She closes her eyes nervously. She is as perfect as the first day I saw her 10 years ago, but her scent is so faint that it's practically not hers. It's his.