Page 123 of Fool Moon First Aid

“She betrayed us,” he asserts coldly, casting a dismissive glance toward his hunters. “And you, Ava, siding with spiritkin, are defying our laws.”

“Your laws, not mine,” I repeat, the anger bubbling within me reaching its boiling point. “I refuse to be muzzled or manipulated by your warped creed any longer.”

My rebellion ignites a fury in him, his face twisting into an expression of pure loathing. “Has that spiritkin poisoned your mind with such idiocy?”

“It’s not idiocy. It’s about acceptance and equality—concepts alien to you,” I retort. “But most of all? Love. Unconditional love. I doubt you ever truly loved me.”

“How can you believe that?” He advances, holding his hands up in innocence, but his eyes betray him. “I love you, Ava. Why do you think I’d risk coming onto clan lands to retrieve you?”

I swallow. I want to believe him, or rather, the little girl still alive in my soul wants to believe him, but I don’t. I can’t.

“Christopher, allow me to handle my wife.” Elijah steps out from the shadows, his voice laced with a bravado that feels fake. It’s so arrogant, I immediately feel the urge to knock that smugness right off his face.

“Playing the coward, I see.” I let out a derisive laugh, comforted by the presence of my chosen family. Brody’s hand is a gentle weight on my shoulder, Ethan’s warm palm steadies me on the small of my back, and Tyler… Tyler is just doing his usual, unpredictable thing.

Elijah’s smirk does nothing to hide the malice in his eyes. “I am not a coward, Ava. I’m here to rectify the chaos you created by aligning with these…creatures.” His disdain is palpable, proving even more just how much of a piece of shit he is.

Even though I can brush off his words, my mates aren’t able to do the same. Elijah wrote his own fate the day he put his hands on me, and I won’t hold my mates back as they take their revenge.

Their protective energy radiates strongly from their tense bodies as they gather closer to me. Elijah’s menacing presence triggers a fierce protectiveness in them, reminding me of their vow to stop him at any cost. Before, I felt suffocated by their protectiveness, but now, I’m proud to have them stand beside me.

For a brief moment, I wonder if more violence is the answer, but that thought is quickly banished as I remember the detailed plots my father and Elijah concocted against those standing with me. No, the scales of justice have yet to balance. That is evidence enough by the fallen—both the hunters and the spiritkin.

When will enough be enough?

“Elijah,” my father cautions, but it’s in vain. Elijah takes a few more steps toward me.

“No, Dad, let him continue. I want to hear the bullshit that’s about to fall from his mouth,” I taunt, bracing for the onslaught of deceit that he no doubt has lined up.

Elijah’s laugh is devoid of humor. “There are no lies here, Ava. Your mother was a menace to our cause, colluding with these…beings. We had no choice but to intervene.” His gaze hardens, his contempt for me evident. “It seems you inherited her weakness.”

“He murdered her! He killed her spirit,” I accuse, my voice breaking. “And you, both of you, sought to break me just the same.” Tears burn the backs of my eyes. “She was the only one who ever truly loved me.”

My father’s reaction is subtle, a slight flinch, whereas Elijah remains stoic, his cold gaze fixed on me. “Our actions were necessary to shield humanity from these monsters, Ava,” Elijah replies emotionlessly. “And now, I’m here to prevent you from making a mistake.” His hand edges toward his weapon. “You’re coming with me, one way or another.”

Rage consumes me, like a wildfire that threatens to engulf everything.

“She’s under our protection,” Ethan rumbles—a warning that reverberates through the night.

“And what will you do to stop me? You and your beasts against our guns?” Elijah taunts, underestimating the power of spiritkin. I know I did.

“That’s it!” My voice cuts through the tension, strong and clear. As I take a bold step forward, my entire being is focused on facing down my father and Elijah. “Enough.”

My father’s expression is absolutely priceless. “Ava, you’re out of line.”

“No, I’m not,” I retort, my anger bubbling out of control. “I refuse to deny my true self any longer.”

“That’s unfortunate,” my father snarls. “She’ll prove more challenging to break,” he comments dismissively to Elijah, feigning nonchalance.

“Not if she’s incapacitated,” Elijah responds, a malicious grin spreading across his face. His outward charm might fool others, but his soul is deeply tainted. His hand inches toward his weapon—a move that’s clearly premeditated.

Time slows, and my senses sharpen. Before Elijah can draw his gun, however, a thunderous roar pierces the night, accompanied by the protective growls of my pack.

Our attention is pulled toward a skirmish already in motion—a Puritas hunter is under attack by a powerful wolf shifter. The hunters try to retaliate, but my family is faster, rushing in to shield one of their own.

“Stop!” My plea for peace is desperate, but everything is beyond my control.

A gunshot shatters the brief silence, the bullet finding its mark in a wolf shifter’s chest. “No!” My heart shatters as I dash toward the fallen, tears blurring my vision.

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