I find a black leather jacket and pull it out. I dig through my drawers until I find a pair of black jeans, and then it’s just a matter of finding a shirt. I find a V-neck black shirt and slip it over my head. After a quick search in the closet, I pull on blackboots with a small heel. I slip on gold hoop earrings and then take in my image in the mirror. It's a lot of black, and I find that I love it. An urge to show Ava comes over me. I snag my phone and text again.
Me-are you free? i want to show you something
She doesn’t answer, and I pace my room waiting. After a bit, I decide to leave my room. I head out to the living room and am shocked to see Hunter sitting on the couch watching...a fight? He turns to me, and his eyes slide over me, starting at my hair and ending at my boots. Wanting to break the uncomfortable silence, I cross my arms. “I call it Hunter black.” He smirks then, and I swear it feels like a full smile. My phone dings, and I glance down at it.
Ava-hey, sorry i missed your text
Ava-i was napping
I frown. Since when does Ava take a nap? She always has more energy than all the pack members combined. “What is it?” Hunter asks.
I shake my head, clearing it. “Nothing. I’m going to head over to Ava’s.” He nods but continues watching the fight. “Aren’t you going to go with me?”
“Nope.”
I watch him, trying to figure out what’s going on. He’s shadowed my every move since I got here. “You’re not worried about me? That I’ll go on a murderous—”
“No.”
I turn to face the front door and then turn back to him. “I can just go?”
He finally turns to me, frowning. “You’re not a prisoner here.”
I let out a laugh. “Right. That's why I’ve been trapped here since I got here.”
His scowl deepens. “You haven’t been trapped here.”
“Yes, I have.”
He turns back to his fight. “How many times have you gone over to Ava’s to sit outside?” I’m just about to answer when he speaks again. “How many times have you and Ava gotten together to watch a movie? And didn’t you go to the mall with her?”
“Okay. Fine. Whatever. I’ll see you later.” I stride towards the front door.
“You have your phone on you?” he calls out after me.
“Yes, Dad.” I close the door behind me, probably a little harder than I intend. I take in a deep breath and then make my way over to the alpha’s house. It only takes me a few minutes. When I get there, I put up my hand to knock, but Ava opens the door first.
“Oh. My. Word.”
I cringe. “Too much black?”
She grins slowly. “No way. I love it. You look like a sexy warrior.”
I frown. “Uh, that’s not—”
She laughs. “Your face. Come on. Get in here.” She closes the door behind me.
I sniff the air and look at her in surprise. “You’re cooking?”
She grimaces. “I’m trying, but it’s not going well.”
“What are you making?”
“Chicken enchiladas.” She looks at me with hope in her eyes. “Do you know how to cook?”
“Nope. My mom and I existed solely on takeout and boxed and canned foods.”
She stares at me, and I realize what I let slip. That's probably the first time I’ve ever said anything about my past. She quickly moves on, letting it slide. “I’ve been working on the chicken, but I just can’t do it.”
