14#14

14

The taxi drove away as I peered through the window, catching a final glimpse of the pack house and Hunter's astonished expression fading into the distance.

I wasn't his Luna. I wasn't his anything. But for the first time in a long while, I experienced an unusual sense of freedom.

Ava's POV

I was surprised when Hunter and Katherine followed me into the pack's dining area.

The pack elders had requested my presence for a meeting, probably as a courtesy since I was Hunter's "official" mate. I had barely settled into my seat when Hunter and Katherine walked in, sitting opposite me as if it were completely normal.

I looked at them, striving to keep my voice steady. "I was asked to discuss trade routes with the elders," I said, implying that privacy was needed.

Hunter grinned, leaning back. "Did they specifically say they didn't want their alpha involved?"

I remained silent, knowing it was pointless to argue with him in public. My presence here was merely a formality.