The Masked Wolf

Staying anonymous

Ava’s point of view

On my way to work, I couldn't help but admire the captivating beauty of the neutral pack lands. Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to Gloria with a question on my mind.

"Does anyone live here permanently?" I asked, daydreaming about making this place my permanent home. Perhaps, once I've paid off my debt, I could make that dream a reality.

"Not many," Gloria responded, her voice tinged with wisdom. "Being pack animals by nature, it's pretty challenging to live without a pack. You have to sever ties with your original pack, and obtaining permission to visit them becomes necessary, as you no longer belong to any pack. This means you lose the protection of alliance treaties when interacting with your former pack members. Additionally, it can be financially burdensome as you become responsible for your medical bills. During times of crisis, you must face it alone.

Moreover, the laws often differ here, making it difficult for people to adapt. Trust me, you wouldn't want to live here." Gloria's words shed light on the intricate complexities of residing in the neutral pack lands, showcasing her extensive knowledge of the subject.

"Well, besides you, I doubt anyone would even welcome my visit. And I don't think anyone would notice if I were gone. Alpha Ace would probably be overjoyed to be rid of me," I sighed, a heavy sense of isolation weighing me down. At that moment, Gloria was the sole person I felt genuinely cared about me.

Gloria's voice softened as she hesitated, her eyes briefly averting from the road. "May I ask something personal?" she inquired tentatively.

Knowing how much Gloria had done for me in such a short period, I was willing to answer any questions she had.

"Of course. As my closest and dearest friend, you have my complete permission to ask anything you desire," I replied, reassuringly smiling.

I wanted Gloria to feel as comfortable with me as she had made me feel with her.

Gloria's voice was sad as she delved into her question. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but I've always wondered how your parents ended up with such a substantial debt to the pack. I heard that when you were ten, they had to surrender everything to repay it. And even after their passing, somehow, you inherited the burden. It's puzzling because there seems to be nothing tangible to show for it. Some people say it was stolen money, while others claim it was borrowed. I promise, Ava, I won't breathe a word of this to anyone."

After gathering my thoughts, I carefully responded, "To be honest, I never dared to ask my parents about it, and after their passing, I was too afraid to delve deeper into the matter. The attack not only took away my parents but also Luna and our Alpha. Given that Alpha Ace had also suffered a similar loss, I didn't want to burden him with questions about the debt. However, it's now my responsibility to repay it. I don't want their memory to be forever marked by this debt. Once I've cleared it, it won't tarnish their legacy anymore," I explained, opening up about the intricate circumstances surrounding my family's debt.

"Well, I hope you can pay off your parent's debt soon and start saving money, Ava. Maybe things will become easier for you once you figure out the reason behind the debt to the pack and how much it actually is. I can see that my memories bring sadness to you, and it pains me to see you affected by them. You're such an incredible person and friend. " Gloria's voice carried a hint of sorrow as she spoke, and I couldn't help but feel guilty for bringing her down with my troubles.

My phone pinged again, and another message from Tom appeared. “If there is ever anything I can help you with. Please let me know. I'm eager to see you again.”

“Hey, maybe you can help me out? I have a friend who's in a tough spot right now, and I really want to be there for her. Do you happen to know anyone from the Blue Moon Pack? “ My heart is racing just thinking about asking Tom about my Pack. Even if I said it was for a friend as I pressed send.

"I have several connections there. What does your friend need?" Tom replied to my message, causing a swirl of nerves to churn in my stomach.

"It's crucial that we handle this discreetly," I cautiously explained, mindful of not revealing my true identity. "She is terrified of the Alpha of her pack." I didn't want Tom to suspect I was referring to myself as I sent the message.

"Don't worry, I can assure you he won't be a problem," Tom reassured me, his confidence evident in his message.

I couldn't help but smile at his reassurance. Tom's confidence is appealing, just like his dreamy brown eyes. I wish I could see him in person instead of just texting.

"Thank you so much. Her name is Ava. I don't know her well, but we met in the neutral pack lands. She seems to have a debt with the Blue Moon Pack, but she's unsure of the details. Could you please gather more information for me? She's a really nice person, and I want to assist her," I messaged back, feeling my heart race in my chest. Revealing my name, even if I claimed it was for a friend, made me uneasy.

"I'll see what I can do. Why doesn't Ava ask him herself?" Tom inquired, making me feel uneasy.

"Unfortunately, Ava is terrified of Alpha Ace and has reached out to me for help. I'm just unsure how to assist her," I messaged back, partially lying.

The truth was, I was terrified to approach Alpha Ace, but Tom was unaware that I was actually Ava.

"Well, if I assist you with this, when can we meet again? I can't seem to get you out of my mind," Tom asked, causing me to giggle. I couldn't deny that I also wanted to see him again.

"On my upcoming day off, let's meet at the bar once more. I'll wear the same mask," I suggested, desiring to preserve my anonymity due to his associations with the Blue Moon Pack. Revealing my true identity was something I wanted to avoid at all costs.

"Why do you have such a serious expression?" Gloria asked, pulling up to the bar in her car. She looked a little worried.

"I approached Tom for assistance in uncovering information about my debt. He asserts that he possesses influence and connections within our pack. Do you believe this is a risky choice? Do you suspect he might be deceiving me?" I asked, turning to my best friend, Gloria, in search of guidance.

"Did you disclose your true identity when interacting with him?" Gloria inquired with a mischievous grin. I could sense her amusement at the notion.

"No, I informed him that I was a friend of Ava's. He remains oblivious to the fact that I am actually Ava; he still believes I am Sally. Do you think this was a foolish decision?" I asked Gloria, my nerves causing me to feel queasy.

"In that case, I think it's a brilliant idea," Gloria replied confidently as we stepped out of the car.

Gloria casually tossed her keys to the waiting valet, and he was wearing a sleek black mask outlined in gold, covering his nose and eyes. Surprisingly, the security guard who opened the door for us also wore a matching mask.

"Those must be the masks Bart was talking about," Gloria commented, shrugging nonchalantly.

"They are quite beautiful, I must say," I agreed, admiring the elegant design of the masks as I spoke to Gloria.