Ava's POV
I felt so victorious as I saw Aurora walk past me along the hallways without saying or doing anything to me. She made sure not to even give me even a single glance, knowing fully well what my father would do to her.
She is now a suspect.
I can't even tell if she really saw me, but in all, I am so happy and proud that she won't hurt me anyhow. She wishes like before. My father, who she thought was falling for her, had gone as far as slapping and yelling at her.
It must be really heartbreaking and the most shocking moment of her life. It was evening, and I was already done with the countless house chores, heading to my room.
My stomach was already making grumbling noises, reminding me that I had only eaten a few plantain chips in the morning, which were the leftovers after others had eaten. I was already getting used to it. My food was always the remnants after everyone in the pack had eaten.
It is painful to do all the cooking alone, having those aromas taunting and tempting you to eat it, only to know how dangerous it is because the guards are watching you closely.
A long hiss slipped from my lips with anger from my panging belly, hitting me hard.
When will my life be better again?
When will my father love me? Will he ever forgive me and treat me like his daughter again, or will I die in this miserable life?
Fuck!
I cursed under my breath, stepping into my room and slamming the door shut. Tears prickled down my eyes as I began to whimper on my way to the bathroom. Every part of me was just weak, and my legs were wobbling, making me stagger.
I will have to wait till night before I eat again, and the worst part is that I don't know what the quantity will be. Every portion of food I cook is set aside for me, so I can't add more or remove it. All I can do is cook and pray they don't finish it up.
What a pathetic life.
It was more painful because it was all arranged by my father, who never wanted to see me smile. He hates me so much that if given the chance without any punishment from the moon goddess, he won't blink twice before killing me off.
I got to the bathroom and took a quick bath with shaky hands as I cried in pain. Not only from the pain of hunger, but also from the agony that strikes me every time I reminisce about my pathetic life.
Ever since I was born, I had never tasted what freedom was like. That life where you can leave the house and go wherever you want, visit friends, play in the woods and river, then come back home to eat and sleep.
That life was like a dream which was never going to come to reality. A life that is stuck in my head. I only imagine it in my mind, but never see it becoming reality. Some years ago, I had hoped that my father would soon push the past aside and accept me as his daughter again, but that hope has been washed away.
It's been 18 years now, yet that hatred is only going deeper than I ever imagined. What type of life is this? full of hatred and loneliness.
After spending an hour in the bathroom, I stepped out and saw Stan sitting on my bed with his face buried in his palm. He seemed lost in thoughts that he couldn't realize when I walked in till I had called his name.
In a rush, he raised his head and ran into me with a hug.
"Did they hurt you badly while I was away? Was it Aurora? What did she do? Did the Alpha hit you?" He kept asking as he broke the hug and began checking my body. His eyes were glimmering with tears as he scanned my body.
"Stan, why are you caring for me this much? You know who you are. The warrior leader. Fate made it that we shouldn't be anywhere close." I fumbled, feeling my heart grow heavy at how pained he was.
"You are getting leaner. Ava, you don't even look healthy! Are you hungry? I promise to give you dinner. Eat it all with anyone they left for you..." He purred and hugged me again, sniffing his tears behind me.
"Thank you, but you can't do all that for me...it is evening. You should start going. As the warrior leader, you should be with the others at the camp now. Please don't risk anything for me. I don't believe it's worthwhile." On saying that, I tried breaking the hug, but he held me tighter.
"Ava, please don't say that again. I have thought about this thoroughly, and I feel I have been so selfish and greedy. I have been very bad to you. It is stupid of me to be afraid of standing by you. I am so wicked for not risking anything for you, not even my meal. Please, I am ready to...."
"Cut the crap!" I interjected and succeeded in pushing him off of me. Looking into his teary eyes, all I could see was intense passion and love, which made me shudder.
I was so perplexed by everything he was saying, and now that I saw those eyes, I felt like burying myself in the ground until he left.
"Why are you saying all these things to me?" I inquired with squinted eyes as I found it so hard to believe someone was falling in love with a cursed soul like me. And not just anyone, but the pack warrior leader, who should follow the Alpha order and hate me most for killing the Luna of the pack, as they all believed.
"Ava, I haven't got the courage to say it, but maybe I will be saying it now right in your face. I can't bear harbouring it inside me again. Ava, I really have deep feelings for you. I...I...love you, and want to help put a smile on your face. I..."
"Are you listening to yourself? Take a minute to think about this dangerous path you're about to tread on. I know recently that you care for me, but don't let it get into your head. No, don't fall in love with me because I can't be killed as the alpha's daughter, but if you are caught helping or conniving with me, you can be killed instantly!" I blurted as my eyes filled up with tears.