Ava’s POV
I am more than ready to fight back if they want war. I have Mason now.
As I tried to concentrate on my food, I could feel the tension in the air before I even noticed him. It was like the universe had shifted, pulling me toward something I didn’t want to face. I forced myself to keep eating, eyes fixed on Mason’s easy smile, but my hands had gone cold.
“Hey, are you sure that you’re okay?” Mason asked, setting down his fork, his brow furrowing slightly. He always noticed when something was off.
I opened my mouth to say yes, to brush it off like I always did, but then it happened.
Orion’s gaze locked on mine from across the restaurant. It was brief, just a flicker of recognition before he fully registered who he was seeing, but it was enough. Enough to make my pulse race, enough to make me want to disappear.