Chapter 43
Chapter 43:
Ian’s grin widened, and he stepped closer. “Oh really? What will you do if I keep saying whatever I want?†he challenged, his voice dripping with a mix of amusement and menace.
Ava took a few steps back, her back pressed against the wall. Ian stood in front of her, his gaze locking with hers.
She would never forget the damage he caused her. No matter how hard she tried, it was something that would stay with her.
“As I said, I’ll never cross your path again,†she began, but he cut her off.
“You what?†Ian asked, lowering his head to meet her eye level.
His cologne hit her nostrils, and she instinctively held her breath. His scent always had this effect on her, making her heart skip a beat. She had to fight the urge to give in to her emotions.
“It’s better for you to stay away from me,†she said, her voice cold and firm.
Her words stunned him, and even Ava was surprised by the newfound confidence in her tone. But now wasn’t the time to congratulate herself.
“I think that storeroom punishment wasn’t enough for you, huh?†Ian’s voice was ice-cold, his expression hardening.
Despite the chill emanating from him, Ava steeled herself, reminding herself, I can’t let him see me as weak.
She tried to step back, but he grabbed her hand and pushed her against the wall once again.
A sharp pain shot through her back—her old wounds flaring up. She hissed in pain, her fingers instinctively touching the sore spot.
Ian loosened his grip, his eyes narrowing. “What happened?†he asked, his tone softer now, though still tinged with irritation.
He hadn’t held her hand that tightly, so he wondered what had caused her reaction. But then, his gaze shifted to her hand pressed against her back. He assumed she was pretending.
“I can’t believe how weak you are,†he sneered. “You can’t even handle a single push. What are you? Made of glass, ready to break at any moment p>
Ava squeezed her eyes shut, doing her best to ignore the pain. “It’s always you who gives me pain,†she muttered angrily.
He ignored her words, his expression growing more condescending. “When that boy was dragging you, you didn’t even try to break free p>
Ava lifted her head to meet his gaze, her voice steady as she replied, “I did p>
“How?†he mocked. “By crying about it? Don’t you know any moves? Don’t you know self-defense? What did your father teach you all these years? His daughter’s already a weak omega, and p>
He hadn’t even taught her self-defense. His words cut through her like a blade. She stared at him for a moment, trying to compose herself, before saying, “Stay away from me. Maybe you’re Alpha Ian, the future Alpha for the pack members, but for me, you’re the boy who rejected my mate bond p>
Without waiting for his response, Ava turned sharply and walked away, heading toward the cafe. She didn’t want to hear his retort or see his reaction.
Her heart felt heavy. Her father had died when she was a small child, and now Ian had hurt her again by mocking her father. He called her weak and even blamed her for what those boys had tried to do to her, as if her very existence were his problem.
She didn’t understand what he wanted from her now.