“Thank you, Senator Denver. I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it wasn’t for you.”
The words are heartfelt, and Denver blinks before returning her shake with a smile. “I wouldn’t be so sure, Ava. Your voice is powerful. It takes a great amount of courage to speak up when all around you remain silent. Whatever happens, you should be proud of what you’ve achieved.”
“Thank you.” Ava’s fervent whisper wobbles as she leans into me, and I wrap my arm around her.
Denver exits the office, pulling the door closed behind her, and I immediately pull Ava to me, wrapping her in my arms. I force back the fear that threatens to choke me. Ava needs me to be strong, but all I want to do is grab her and carry her out of here, make sure she never has to face these assholes and be forced to fight for the basic rights she should have without question.
“I’m alright,” she murmurs. “I’m okay, Max.”
But I’m not.
I stay silent. Ava doesn’t need my worries in her head. She has more than enough of her own to contend with.
Luc taps my shoulder, and he gives me an understanding look as Ava moves into his embrace. He sinks down, burying his face against her neck and inhaling deeply.
“You ready, brat?” he whispers, pulling back and tucking a stray flyaway back into her bun.
Ava takes a step back, her breathing unsteady as she wipes her hands down her skirt. “I have to be ready.”
“We can still go,” Nikolai offers. “This doesn’t have to be your fight, little bird.”
But I can see Ava’s determination. The set in her shoulders, the way her head holds high as she turns to Nik.
“Thisismy fight, Nikolai,” she says gently. “It’s all of ours. And if I turn around and go home, then we’re not going to win.”
She moves to him, and he wraps her up in his arms, whispering into her ear as she nods. My hands clench and unclench at my sides as I battle the urge to seize her again, keep her close to me. My alpha instincts are riding me unusually hard today, clamoring at me to protect our omega. The itch crawls under my skin, leaving me agitated and twitchy. Next to me, Luc looks like he’s going through something similar, his jaw twitching as he watches Ava cuddle into Nik.
The door knocks, and Ava flinches. The room suddenly feels too full, our scents erupting from our skin as we fight to get ourselves under control.
Maybe Bastien should have come, and I should have stayed behind. I won’t be any good to her if I let my instincts take control.
The thought sobers me, the slight haziness in my vision clearing as I reach out for the door. Denver is on the other side, and she takes a step back, making me aware of how much energy I’m giving off. Clearing my throat, I offer her a tight, apologetic smile. “It’s time?”
“Yes.”
Ava ducks under my arm, her fingers briefly tangling with mine as she passes me in the doorway. “I’m ready.”
Resolve fills me as I fall into step behind her, Nikolai and Luc on either side of me. If she can push back her fears to do this, then I’ll be damned if I don’t do the same.
I push back any thoughts of seeing Stone. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to breathe the same air as him without going for his throat.
One step at a time.
We can do this.
ChapterSeventy-One
Ava
My kitten heels click noisily on the marble floor as we walk in silence. The presence of my alphas warms my back, although Bastien’s absence rubs at my senses like a cut.
I focus on my breathing. Deep breaths, in and out. I can’t lose control here, despite the overwhelming scents battering at me.
So many alphas. So many different scents. They claw at my spine, threatening to pull me into a dark cloud of bad memories, but I hold firm and push them back.
Today, my memories will not define me.
Today, my memories become a weapon.
