BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 48
Chapter 48
-Ava’s POV-
The silence in the bathroom was so thick it felt suffocating as Isabella and I locked eyes. It wasn’t until a sharp knock sounded
on the door that we both snapped out of our daze, the reality of our situation crashing back down on us.
Isabella hurriedly tossed the wrap into the garbage, a look of sheer shock on her face, while I fumbled with my top, still trying to
regain my composure as she turned the lock. The door creaked open, and Crystal stepped in, her gaze darting between us, a
smirk already forming on her lips.
I realized that ever since I had discovered that she was indeed sleeping with Dylan and that moment that had thrust me into
Grayson’s world, I had never actually spoken to her.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she chirped, her tone dripping with false sweetness, “but I really need to pee. Pregnancy really messes with
your bladder.”
I rolled my eyes, the annoyance of the situation souring my mood. Maybe if I had actually liked Dylan, it would sting a little more,
but I couldn’t stand him. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that fate had decided I was predestined for
him.
“Go ahead, then,” I said, stepping aside.
Her pretentious smile faltered momentarily, and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. She wanted to provoke me, to drag
me into a war of words, but I wasn’t interested. She could have Dylan for all I cared; she’d given me a way out of that horrible
marriage. But as her gaze narrowed, she couldn’t resist one last jab. “You think taking the high road makes you a better person,
but it just shows you’re a bore. That’s why Dylan couldn’t stand you.”
I bit my tongue, refusing to let her words get under my skin. Arguing with Crystal was the last thing I wanted, especially not now.
“I wish you all the best in life with him,” I replied coolly, “since he can stand you. Excuse us.”
I turned to leave, casting a glance at Isabella, who looked ready to explode. I could practically see the thoughts racing through
her head, a million ways to murder Crystal flashing before her eyes. The only reason she was quiet was that she was holding
back her wolf.
“Bels, it’s not worth it. Let’s go,” I urged.
She blinked, seeming to come back to reality, but just as she was about to move, Crystal’s voice cut through the tension. “Yes,
handbag, follow your master’s command.”
I groaned, knowing exactly where this was heading. Before I could even react, Isabella’s claws extended, and with a fierce
swipe, she slashed at Crystal’s face. Crystal’s eyes darkened, her wolf surfacing in response, and I felt the tension escalate. This
was a disaster waiting to happen, and I hated that we were all werewolves at this moment.
“Isabella, no!” I shouted, stepping in between them, trying to stop the chaos. In my haste, I inadvertently shoved Crystal
backward, and she stumbled, falling to the ground then smiled.
Clutching her stomach and her bleeding face, she let out a piercing scream. “Help! Help! They’re trying to kill my baby!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered,
Credulous.
“Shut the hell up! No one touched your stomach!” Isabella growled, her voice a low rumble of fury.
“Let’s get out of here!” I grabbed Isabella’s hand, pulling her toward the exit. “This was what she wanted to happen when she
As we rushed out of the bathroom, I could hear Crystal’s cries echoing behind us, a mix of panic and triumph. The last thing I
needed was to be embroiled in her games. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins
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Isabella glanced back over her shoulder. “That bitch is lucky she’s pregnant,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing. Then she turned to
me, a fierce determination in her gaze. “I know you’re trying to step out of your prim and proper shell, and I’m really proud of you
for that. But that situation back there? You should’ve slapped the slut right off her face. She slept with Dylan while you were
married!”
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“I know, Bels, I know,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “But you can keep yelling at me later. Right now, we have to get
out of here. More importantly, we need to figure out why I have a wolf when I shouldn’t and why healing felt so painfully
unnatural.”
She nodded, the tension easing slightly from her features. “Okay, okay. We are going to my place. The last thing I want is to run
into someone else who’s going to push my buttons.”
We hurried out the other way of the restaurant, the muffled sounds of Crystal’s voice continuing and I knew Isabella was right,
when it came to her, no more high road.
Different thoughts raced through my mind as the car sped, each one more confusing than the last. It shouldn’t be possible, yet
somehow, I knew with certainty that it was my wolf. Most latent wolves had a presence, even if they couldn’t fully shift. They
could bring out their claws, maybe even feel their wolf stirring inside them, waiting. But I’d never felt any of that. A wolf had never
existed inside me.
Until now.
I tried to reach for her, to feel that presence again, but the same emptiness remained. My eyes drifted down to my shoulder,
where the skin had been torn just minutes before, now completely healed. Isabella reached over from the driver’s seat, her gaze
fixed on the road, and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“We’ll figure this out, Lilian. I promise.”
I squeezed back, holding onto that small comfort, and forced myself to shut out the spiraling thoughts until we reached her place.
As we walked inside, Isabella wasted no time and disappeared into her room, returning seconds later with an armful of books
and her laptop.
“These are all the books I have about werewolves,” she said, dropping them in front of me. “And not the fictional kind.”
I raised an eyebrow, knowing she didn’t like explaining her obsession. She crossed her arms defensively. “What? I like to
understand my wolf better. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Despite the tension, I laughed as I picked up the first book. Hours passed in a blur of research, flipping through endless pages
and scanning the internet. But it all pointed to the same thing–the general knowledge on latency and how wolves didn’t just
suddenly appear out of nowhere, especially not after twenty–four years.
“This isn’t helping at all.” Isabella suddenly shut her laptop and turned to me with a determined look. “I have an idea–what if I cut
you? See if you heal and maybe...she shows up?”
I rolled my eyes, leaning back. “How about you keep your violent tendencies to yourself before I reconsider your place as my
She pouted dramatically, making me smile as I ran a hand through my hair. “I felt her, Bels. She was right there in my head, and
she said, Find me, Ava. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.”
I sighed, almost regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth. “Maybe I should talk to my mother. She was always so
determined to bring out my wolf. Maybe she’ll know something”
“No. You’re not getting sucked back into her orbit,” Isabella said firmly, shaking her head. “We’ll figure this out ourselves. Maybe
not today, but we will.”
Her phone suddenly chimed, snapping her out of her intense expression. She glanced down, a smile tugging at her lips as she
quickly typed a reply. I leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse of who she was texting, but she shoved my head back playfully.
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Chapter 48
“Keep your nose out of it.”
“Come on, tell me!” I teased.
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She rolled her eyes, trying to keep her face neutral. “It’s Grayson’s assistant slash my potential replacement if you ever abandon
me to move to Italy, a.k.a. Eliza.”
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“Eliza?” The name sparked the memory. Grayson had mentioned her inviting me to her birthday party. But since when did she
become his assistant? And “replacement” best friend? That stung, and I shot her a mock glare. “How did she get upgraded to
‘replacement‘ so quickly, and why are you even texting her?”
“he texted to inform me to take over wedding plans until you got back from ITALY. We’ve been texting ever since. She’s actually
pretty cool and funny. Oh, and she asked me to remind you about her birthday party next Saturday–she wasn’t sure Grayson
would pass along the invite.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, since you have a ‘replacement best friend,‘ I’ll just have to get one for myself. I pick... Elaine.”
Isabella burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but join in. She’d been my safe place for years, always there when things with my
parents became too much. No matter how awful things got, she always found a way to make me laugh and forget. I genuinely
loved this chaotic woman.
She caught my gaze, smiling. “Why are you looking at me weird all of a sudden?”
“Just memorizing your face so the tech guys can program the robot that will replace you.”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “You and me–end of the world, remember? But Eliza’s cool.”
“I know. I met her once, and I really liked her.”
“So, we’re going to the party?”
“You’re just looking for an excuse to get drunk.” I laughed, stifling a yawn. “Mind if I rest here for a bit? I haven’t really slept since
I got back.”
“Of course, honey.” She leaned in, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. I headed to her room, grabbing my phone, and changed
into something comfortable. But just as I pulled off my top, I felt a strange tingling sensation in my hand. A small, crumpled piece
of paper appeared in my palm, seemingly out of thin air.
I yelped, tossing it away like it was on fire, just as Isabella rushed into the room.
“What is it now?” she asked, eyeing the paper on the floor.
“That...thing just appeared in my hand out of nowhere!”
Without a second thought, Isabella bent down, picked up the paper, and unwrapped it. Her eyes scanned its contents before she
sighed and handed it to me. “Witches sometimes use this method to send messages. It’s from your ‘husband–to–be.”
I took the paper, scanning the words and groaned.
Just. Freaking. Great.