Ava's POV
Richard went still. My words hit him hard. I could feel it in the sudden shift, the way his wolf recoiled, retreating just enough for the man to come back. His fists stayed raised for a second longer… then slowly dropped.
He turned to me.
And the moment his eyes landed on my face, his expression softened as he took in the tears.
My vision was blurred, my cheeks soaked, my chest heaving like I couldn’t get enough air. My wolf wasn’t snarling anymore. She was curled up, trembling and wounded.
Richard scrambled to his feet, all that fury gone as if it had never existed. He approached me carefully, like I might shatter if he moved too fast.
“Ava…” he whispered.
His hand lifted, reaching for my face, but I shoved him.
“Don’t touch me!” My voice cracked, sharp and fragile all a
