Veronica watched Ava sitting in the opposite chair while James had been talking with their father. She heard how her mother coughed, getting their attention that's why they looked at her.
“Ava, as the leader of the pack, it is disappointing for us to know you committed something forbidden in our pack. We know being a werewolf is too animalistic, and brutal especially when it comes to sex. But, we taught you the importance of marriage. Our God is not tolerating something bad and you both know why we are strict with both of you.” She sighed. Disappointment was obvious on her face but she couldn't blame Ava for doing it. “You are lured because you finally see your mate. It's your wolf who keeps telling you to do it because she wants you to get mated with your mate. You are getting heat because you meet your mate. Unlike when you haven't seen him, you can still stop yourself from doing such immoral things.”
“Mom, I know Ava doesn't do it intentionally. You know how the mate bond works, and she might do everything to prevent herself. I know my sister.” Veronica commented, making Ava feel her heart touched. She closed her eyes when Veronica gazed in her direction.
“Oh, then, you already know you need to get married as soon as possible. You are in heat, which means you are fertile and you may get pregnant easily. I don't think you will let him sleep with you if you don't love him.” their mother said. Ava swallowed hard. She couldn't understand why she disliked what she had heard. “If you are in heat, there's a possibility you can easily get pregnant. It means you are ovulating, that's what happened to your sister. She met Alpha Jaxon, her mate that night.”
“But, I'm not ready to have a baby….” Ava felt weak because of what she had heard. Having a baby was such a big responsibility for her.
“If you are not yet ready then why did you spread your legs? Ava, we are not getting younger anymore. I still remember you two were a child back then, and now you two have been sex with men. You need to be responsible for your actions.”
Veronica nodded. She agreed to what their mother had said to them. They needed to be responsible for their every decision. It might be difficult at first but she was sure that everything would be worth it.
“I already see Morgan… I only want to inform you that's why I came here to talk with you.” It was Veronica who broke the silence when their mother left them. Ava widened her eyes. Her mouth hung open.
“Really? How is he? Do you see him?” she was excited to know more about her nephew.
“He's doing great. I already know Uriel only protected him, but the Alpha King must not know about him. He thought he was dead.” she responded. She blinked her eyes, trying to hide the emotions inside her. She pursed her lips when she continued, “I want to ask for your help. Morgan wants to stay there, and I want to make sure he's fine in that pack. I don't want to lose him again.”
“Oh, okay,” Ava answered. She nodded her head before she smirked at her, “So what's your deal with Alpha Jaxon? Perhaps he's the one who helps you to see Morgan.”
“I still can't decide about our relationship as long as he will make me see he changed for good then I won't mind giving him a chance.”
“Shoot! It's good to know it. I'm sorry if I can't stop myself but stick with your business.”
“Ava…” she paused. She felt guilty because she realized she was the one who overreacted. Ava wanted to help her to choose someone who would love her unconditionally but what made her questionable was why she was helping Jaxon just to be with her. “I am the one who needs to apologize because I become a bitch towards you. I know you only want what's good for me. But, do you have another reason why you do it?”
Ava licked her lips. She chuckled before she replied, “A man like Alpha Jaxon is not too vocal about their feelings. He always makes you feel how he thought of what love is. Seriously, I feel bad for him because all his life he gets pressured to be the Alpha King. He lost his parents because of his ambitions. That's why he acted that way because that's what he thought love was. When I saw how he cried, for you, I realized he loves you truly. Perhaps you thought he was only a pervert because of the matebond.”
“He is a real pervert. He treated me as if I was such a sex toy!” She exclaimed.
“You know when an Alpha is with their mate, they can't stop themselves from taking them. That's why they are so aggressive and because of the matebond they always think about sex. That is the reason why I'm always with Alpha James.”
“Does it mean you don't love him?” Veronica asked back, making her stunned for a moment. She didn't know what she would say to her.
Veronica smirked when she finally cornered Ava. She wanted to know their real score because James had been trying to protect his heart against the mate bond.
“You are telling me you understand my mate's side but you can not see how your mate is battling himself from taking you. I know you are still hurt that James was blunt when he mentioned rejecting you. He's only scared to lose someone who will be an important part of his life. Why don't you open your door for him? too?”
Ava was speechless to speak. She wanted to defend herself but she would only look defensive. Veronica was right. She needed to ask James about his side too.
She coughed and looked away when Veronica grinned at her. “James does not bother to explain his side. I am willing to listen if he starts doing it.”
“He is trying to reach out to you but you always push him away. Sex is too big a deal for him, he does not like to have sex with someone who will not be his mate…”
“How do you know about it? Veronica, don't tell me you are falling for him.” There was a trace of jealousy in her tone. Veronica only laughed at her before she proceeded.
“I know because he informed me about it. Ava, why don't you ask him about it? I know he will tell you everything you need to know. You don't need to get jealous of me because I don't have plans to steal him from you.” Veronica laughed at her, making her cheeks flush.
They both stopped talking when their father came into the kitchen with James. Ava frowned when she noticed how paled James was.
“Are you okay?” she asked with concern. James sighed. Ava gazed at their father, and there was an accusation on his face.
“You don't need to worry about your mate, he's fine like what he told you. Ava, you know we have the rules here. I asked James about the mating ceremony and he said you don't like to get mated yet. How dare you play so well?” Their father seemed agitated. He didn't like James and didn't want to force Ava to settle with him.
“Dad, it's you who always tell me that I need to make sure that our pack will be fine. You don't want me to get mated first as long as the pack still not yet—”
“Oh, I am the reason why you don't want to accept him then I am giving you my blessing to be with him. You still can be the leader of this pack even though you are married.” her father didn't let her finish what she was going to say. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't understand why he was pressuring her.
“Alpha, I do not want Ava to think that you are pressuring her. It is better if you will let her do what she wants.” Alpha James butted in. He glanced at Ava with worry.
Ava gritted her teeth. She felt that her father had something in his sleeves. She swallowed hard. “Why are you pushing me to get mated? Veronica still does not yet her the justice she needs. I want her to be happy first. I want her to have her mating ceremony first because she is the eldest!”
“What?”
“Ava…” Veronica called her. She appreciated that Ava only wanted to give respect to her. She felt pleased but she knew how her father would be mad at her sister. “You do not need to do that. I will marry once I am ready. Aside from that, are you sure you still want to delay your mating ceremony with Alpha James? I want to remind you, there is someone who wants—”
“Veronica, you do not need to tell her about it…” James panicked.