Luna Reborn by Juliet Swanson Chapter 62

Chapter 62 
In Ava’s eyes, the world must have appeared starkly divided into black and white, leaving no room for my emotions to be considered when it came to a romantic involvement with 
someone like Bash. 
Because, when it boiled down to it, being with another Alpha heir would be more of the same, or perhaps even worse. Whether it was Benjamin or Bash, it made no difference. Both paths would lead me down the road of becoming the Luna one day, with its own set of challenges and struggles. And that’s only if I managed to survive long enough to reach that point. I had put in immense effort to secure my position as a Beta heir, using it as my justification for rejecting Benjamin, even if it meant seeking the intervention of the Elders. Nobody could question my decision, as it was centered around my aspirations to become a Beta. 
But if I were to reject the future Alpha of my pack, disregarding the prophecy that promised prosperity to the Lock Heart through our union, and instead run off with a different Alpha… I knew without a doubt that I would be labeled a traitor, igniting a war in the process. It was a war that might result in Bash meeting his demise on that battlefield once again, or even Benjamin this time. Perhaps, if I refused to intervene as I did in the past, they would end up destroying each other in the crossfire. 
As I envisioned those two individuals lying lifeless in that vast expanse, a chill ran down my spine. The mere prospect of my own emotions, whether existing or not, paled in comparison 
to such a harrowing sight. And let’s not forget about the countless souls that would inevitably perish due to the ravages of war. Hadn’t I just witnessed firsthand how my self- centered actions could inflict pain upon the innocent? Thousands of individuals out there, akin to Ava, would be ensnared in the capricious machinations of those deemed more significant. 
“Winona, you’re inadvertently carving into my hand,” Ava uttered softly, jolting me back to reality. 
I glanced down to behold my nails ruthlessly digging into her delicate skin and hastily released my grip. It had been a complete accident, yet it intensified my remorse 
exponentially. “I deeply apologize, Ava. Are you alright?” 
She nodded, mustering a faint smile, yet she continued to rub her hand tenderly. It was then that I realized how absorbed I had been in my contemplation, to the extent that I had entirely forgotten where I had parked. I had to survey the surroundings to regain my bearings, seeking out familiar landmarks in a desperate attempt to locate my vehicle. 
And there it was, right before my eyes. Or rather, right before my heart. In a swift motion, I darted behind a towering tree that conveniently shielded us from prying eyes. 
For behold, Isabella had graced us with her presence. In the midst of the bustling street, she appeared to be engrossed in a shopping expedition of all things. 
“Winona?” Ava queried, her face etched with bewilderment. 
“Hush,” I whispered, stealing a quick glance around the tree trunk to ascertain whether Isabella had detected my presence before taking cover once again. 
Thankfully, it appeared she remained oblivious to my existence. Engrossed amidst a clothing store’s delightful garden section, she was too engrossed in perusing the hanging garments to catch a glimpse of my clandestine observation. 
…Ah, this was a golden opportunity, a chance to seize the moment. Yet, a master plan needed to be concocted, one that would lead me closer to my desires. 
Ava, leaning casually against the tree beside me, posed a question with a curious twist, “Who’s the mystery person you’re evading?” 
I nibbled nervously on my lip, feeling the urgency pulsating through me. It was clear that this matter held great 
significance to me, and Ava, sensing my earnestness, stepped in to shield me from prying eyes. 
But time was of the essence, and the bustling public setting wasn’t the ideal place for a comprehensive explanation. Isabella was within arm’s reach, ready to vanish into thin air 
once more. 
“She’s someone from my past,” I finally revealed, the words tinged with a mix of nostalgia and bewilderment. “For the past two years, I’ve been on a relentless quest to find her. Yet, everything feels… askew. It’s as if she materialized out of nowhere, and I can’t fathom the reasons behind it.” 
Ava’s brow furrowed, betraying her confusion. “If you’ve been on the hunt for her, why not seize this moment to have a conversation?” 
“It’s like a tangled web of mysteries,” I exclaimed, scrunching my face in perplexity. Inside my mind, I raced to devise a plan. 
“Picture this: the moment our eyes locked after ages, she sensed I had been on the hunt for her. But here’s the kicker- she wasn’t supposed to know I was on her trail. And before I could utter a single word, she bolted away like a startled 
deer.” 
“Hold on a sec… let me get this straight,” Ava interjected, her brows furrowing with confusion. “You’re acquainted with her, you were trying to locate her incognito, but somehow she’s aware of your pursuit… and now you’re covertly lurking behind a tree?” 
My convoluted explanation only added to Ava’s 
bewilderment, and I inwardly cursed the predicament I found myself in. 
“Yes…” I sighed, realizing that my response offered little clarity. “But here’s the rub; I need answers desperately, yet I fear that confronting her directly might not yield them.” 
Ava chimed in, offering a solution with a touch of enthusiasm. “Alright, then… how about I take matters into my own hands? I can casually orchestrate a random encounter and introduce myself.” 
I couldn’t believe it, my eyes wide with astonishment. Ava’s idea struck me like a bolt of lightning. If Ava took charge of the conversation instead of me, Isabella wouldn’t suspect a thing. It was a brilliant plan, although I knew we had to keep the questions simple, like asking about her origins, her pack affiliation, or her reason for being in town. 
Still, even basic information was a treasure trove compared to the emptiness we had before. The best part was that Isabella had probably never laid eyes on Ava, as she didn’t have any 
official rank. Ava had that friendly charm that made her 
approachable to anyone, so it wouldn’t be strange for her to strike up a conversation with a stranger. 
I couldn’t help but whisper in awe, my voice filled with admiration, “Ava… you’re an absolute genius.” 
Ava chuckled at my praise, her laughter like music. “I will do my best!” 
And so, fueled by determination, Ava and I huddled together, swiftly devising a plan. It was a plan born out of curiosity, a burning desire to unravel the mystery of Isabella’s whereabouts over the past two years.