The red eyes belonged to a lone rogue- the massive wolf emerged from the shadows, his eyes not leaving Ava's as if she was a prey.
"Hey, hello!" Ava blurted out but she felt foolish after saying that.
"Listen, I am not here to hurt anybody or anything. I just want to be free and alone so let's just go our different ways without spilling blood." She tried to negotiate with the wolf but the latter let out a loud growl in response to what she said.
"Shit!" Ava gritted out and backed away slowly, her heart pounding heavily.
Without giving her time to be prepared, the wolf lunged, and Ava barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side.
"Okay, fine. I am not going down without a fight, I won't die like a coward." She maintained firmly as she realised the rogue wolf was aiming to kill her.
Her instincts kicked in as she fought back, ducking and weaving around the powerful beast.
As they fought, something nagged at the back of her mind.
"The wolf's scent... it is somehow familiar... This can't be who I am thinking it is, can it?" She wondered in disbelief.
"Wait..." She gasped, reaching out with her mind.
"Caleb? Caleb Flynn?" She called out unsurely.
The wolf froze mid-attack, its red eyes widening in shock. In an instant, the massive beast shifted, and there stood a young man with dark hair and familiar green eyes.
"Ava? Is it really you?" Caleb asked, breathing heavily.
Before she could respond, he moved closer and pulled her into a tight hug.
Ava melted into the embrace, remembering all the times they had played together as pups. He was the only person she could call her friend while growing up.
"I can't believe it is you. What are you doing out here as a rogue?" She whispered against his shoulder.
Caleb pulled back, his expression hardening.
"It... it is a long story." He muttered.
"Well, I've got time." Ava said softly.
Caleb ran a hand through his hair, looking away.
"I don't want to get into all of it. But... my father was killed. I'm on my own now." He Informed her withdrawing other details.
"Oh, Caleb, I'm so sorry." Ava said, her heart aching for her old friend.
"Don't be, I'm managing." He maintained, shaking his head.
"But what about you? What is the Alpha's son's beloved doing out here alone in the woods?" He inquired.
Ava flinched at the mention of Ethan.
"I'm not... I had to leave." She muttered, not looking at him.
"Why?" Caleb inquired further.
"The way they treat Omegas in the pack, I couldn't take it anymore. Being looked at like I'm nothing but dirt beneath their feet." She said, giving him part of the truth just as he had done.
Caleb nodded in understanding.
"But your mother... you left her behind?" He asked.
Tears welled up in Ava's eyes at that.
"Please don't remind me of her. I... I'm already questioning everything. But I can't go back. Not now." She stated sullenly.
"Hey, I'm not judging you." Caleb assured her and held her hand.
"Look, why don't you come with me? I have a small place nearby. You can rest, get cleaned up, and figure out what you want to do next." He told her.
"You would do that for me?" Ava asked.
"Of course. We were friends once, weren't we?" He replied and she nodded gratefully.
~~~~~~~~~
They arrived at the small cabin that was Caleb's home and Ava was surprised to see such modest place in the wilderness.
"How did he get everything that he used in building the place?" Ava couldn't help but wonder inwardly.
"Please be comfortable." He told her.
Afterwards, he fed her a proper meal and showed her where she could wash up.
"This is really nice. How did you get this place set up like this?" Ava said later, sitting on ground, facing him.
"Well, let's just say I got lucky. Remember how we used to imagine living in the woods when we were kids?" He said with a bright smile.
"Playing rogues and rangers. Our parents would get so mad when we came home covered in mud." Ava said and laughed at the memory.
"Those were simpler times." Caleb said and sighed and Ava nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, a chorus of growls cut through their conversation.
They both jumped to their feet as shadows moved outside the windows.
"What the—" Caleb started, but the door burst open.
Pack enforcers walked in, their eyes glowing with aggression. Ava recognized them immediately – they were part of the guards who worked with Alpha Jenkins.
"What do you want?" Caleb demanded, stepping in front of Ava.
"We are here for the Omega. Step aside, rogue." The leader snarled.
"Like hell!" Caleb growled then he turned to Ava, speaking quickly.
"Run. I will hold them off."
"Caleb, no, how can I leave you—" Ava was protesting but he cut her short.
"Run, Ava. I have been a rogue for long, I have been through worse, trust me." He assured her.
As if on cue, two enforcers lunged for her. Ava spun and bolted through the back door, her legs barely touching the ground.
She could hear them behind her, gaining ground with every step. She ran fast but they were faster. Too strong. A hand grabbed her arm, yanking her backward.
"No!" She screamed, thrashing against their grip.
Then something unexpected happened!
"What the hell is happening here?" A deep voice cut through the chaos.
Ava looked back and her eyes found a tall, imposing figure standing between the trees. Even in the darkness, she could see his powerful build and striking features.
"Please, help me!" She cried out desperately.
The stranger's eyes swept over her and he looked at her critically.
In one smooth motion, he pulled Ava behind him, turning to face the enforcers with a dangerous grace.
And when he spoke, his voice and words sent chills down Ava's spine.
"You have two choices. Walk away now and live, or stay... and I will show you exactly why they call me the Ghost Alpha."
"That is because heads roll wherever I go..." The man stated and let out a sinister chuckle.