CHAPTER 5 The Price of Foolishness

Avery's POV

The faint light of dawn filtered through the trees as I sat slumped against the bark of an old oak, utterly spent. My hands were still stained with dried blood, the remnants of hours spent tending to the white wolf's wounds. I didn't know why I felt so compelled to help it. Maybe it was the desperation in its golden eyes or the way it had collapsed, so vulnerable and broken, like a reflection of myself.

I had done everything I could, using all the medicines Charles had packed for me—herbs, salves, bandages. I whispered soft reassurances into the cold night, even though I knew the wolf couldn't understand me. Each labored breath it took felt like a shared battle, a reminder that survival was often a fight we didn't ask for.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the wolf stirred. Its body trembled as it pushed itself to its feet, unsteady but alive. Relief flooded through me, and I gave a small, tired smile.

I watched it gather its bearings before it darted into the depths of the forest, its silvery fur gleaming under the faint moonlight. I sat there, drained and shivering, watching until it disappeared completely.

Part of me wanted to follow, but my body screamed otherwise. Exhaustion rooted me to the forest floor, and I slumped back against a tree trunk, my fingers trembling from both cold and weariness.

A soft chime pulled me from my daze. I fumbled for my phone, squinting at the glowing screen.

Charles: 'Are you okay? Let me know if you need anything. Please don't push yourself.'

The concern in his words brought a faint smile to my lips. Charles always had my back, no matter how chaotic my life became. He didn't ask too many questions or push me for answers. It was just… easy with him.

My chest tightened as my thoughts drifted to James. The weight of today's events bore down on me, threatening to crush me. He was furious earlier, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. James wasn't like this. He couldn't be.

I clung to that belief as if it were my lifeline, convincing myself that his behavior was a misunderstanding. Maybe Isabella was a pawn. Maybe he was just lashing out.

I had to fix this.

Charles offered to drive me to the Wildshadow Pack, and I reluctantly agreed. Sitting beside him, I could feel his worry without him needing to say a word.

"You don't have to do this," Charles murmured, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

"I have to," I whispered back. "I can't leave things like this."

The car fell into an uneasy silence as we approached the Pack's territory. The gates loomed ahead, tall and unwelcoming. Two guards stepped forward as we stopped, their faces a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

"I'm here to see James," I said, trying to sound confident, though my voice wavered.

One of the guards exchanged a look with the other before replying, "You're not allowed inside. Orders from Alpha James."

The words hit me like a physical blow. My stomach twisted, and my fingers dug into the fabric of my coat. "There must be a mistake. I'm his mate—his fiancée. He'll want to see me."

The guards didn't budge. One smirked, while the other crossed his arms.

"Please," I pleaded, swallowing my pride. "Just tell him I'm here. I need to talk to him."

After what felt like an eternity, one of them finally relented and walked off, leaving me standing in the cold with Charles by my side.

When James appeared, my heart leaped, but then I saw Isabella draped on his arm.

Her smug smile set my teeth on edge, but I forced myself to focus on James. He looked at me with a coldness I barely recognized.

"James, we need to talk," I said, my voice cracking.

"There's nothing to talk about," he replied, his tone devoid of any warmth.

I fumbled in my bag and pulled out the photos, thrusting them toward him. "These—they're not what you think. I was at Charles's place because I was unwell, that's all. You know me, James. You know I would never—"

"Enough." His sharp tone cut me off. "I don't want to hear your excuses."

My eyes stung with tears, but I refused to back down. "You don't mean that. You still love me. I know you do. You're just angry."

Isabella chuckled softly, and I shot her a glare. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, sweet Avery," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "You really think he loves you? James and I have been together far longer than you can imagine. Those noble banquets you were too lowly to attend? That's where we met. You were nothing more than a placeholder."

Her words hit me like a slap, but I refused to believe her. "You're lying."

James said nothing, his silence cutting deeper than any words could.

"Tell her, James," Isabella purred. "Tell her how long we've been planning this."

James turned to her, his expression softening in a way it never had for me. And then she kissed him.

Right in front of me.

Time seemed to slow. My heart shattered, the pieces scattering beyond repair. I wanted to scream, to cry, to make him see the mistake he was making.

"You—cunning bitch!" I snarled, my anger boiling over as I charged toward her.

Without Nova's strength, my body was weak, but I didn't care. I wanted to wipe that smug grin off her face. Before I could reach her, Isabella sidestepped, and I stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

Charles was beside me in an instant, his hands steadying me. "Avery, stop!" he pleaded, his voice full of worry.

"Get your hands off her," James growled, stepping forward.

"She's hurt," Charles snapped. "Can't you see that?"

James didn't listen. In one swift motion, he struck Charles with a force so brutal that I heard the sickening crack of bone. Charles crumpled to the ground, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his shirt.

"Charles!" I dropped to my knees beside him, my hands trembling as I tried to help.