Ava’s POV
The door flew open. Maria stood there, bright as morning, and the second she saw me her whole face lit up.
“Ms. Ava!”
Jasper scoffed before I could answer. “What’s she doing here? You said it’d just be us.” He yanked his hand free. “You lied. If she’s coming, I’m going home by myself.”
“Alone?” I raised a brow. “Not worried about getting taken again?”
The anger drained out of him fast. Fear slid in underneath, and his shoulders shrank. “But—you said—I—”
“I’ll buy you ice cream,” I said flatly.
He recovered at once, holding up two fingers like a tiny merchant closing a deal. “Two. And she doesn’t get any.”
My wolf snorted. Just like his father.
“Fine. But bully Maria even once, and I leave you on the curb.”
His face stayed sulky, but his hand slid back into mine and held
