Chapter 3

One week before the Regional Qualifier,the club held its final mock competition.Judges,scores,procedure,everything followed official competition rules.

I came in first,nearly twelve points ahead of second place.

Nora came in last.

She tore down the score sheet,crumpled it up,and threw it into the trash.

"Whatever.I already got the training scholarship."

Kaiden was waiting for her with two coffees.

When she saw him,her eyes lit up at once,as if she were not the girl who had just fallen apart on the ice.

"You were beautiful."

She rose onto her toe picks and kissed his cheek.

I passed them on my way to the locker room.

"Ava."

I did not stop.

"Ava.Hey."

He moved in front of me and blocked my path.

"Are you still angry about the training scholarship?"

I did not answer.

"Is that really necessary?I told you,she needed it more.You could go to the Regional Qualifier and win with your eyes closed."

He stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"The black card is still yours.Coaches,training camp,Pack doctor.If you want it,I'll cover all of it."

He thought money could glue broken things back together.

"I don't need it."

"There you go again.How much can you make in a month?What I'm offering you is more than you'll earn in a lifetime."

Nora skated over from behind him and put her gloved hand on his arm.

"Kaiden,don't.She's just not used to it yet."

She gave me a careful,sad,practiced smile.

"Ava,I had nowhere else to go.My dad lost everything,my stepmother keeps tormenting me,and the Pack doesn't want me anymore."Tears welled in her eyes again.

I had watched this performance for a year.

In every conversation,she was the victim.In every look,I was the one who made her cry.

"Kaiden and I will take care of you,"she said."Whatever you need,just tell us."

I tugged at the corner of my mouth.

Kaiden frowned."What's so funny?"

"You two are perfect for each other.I hope she becomes your Luna soon."

His face changed.

"Ava-"

I walked past him and went into the locker room.

"Ava,come back here."

I ignored him.

That night,Rina sent me a screenshot from Nora's Instagram.

Nora was leaning against Kaiden's leg.He was holding a bottle of wolfsbane beer.

In the background,a group of friends lifted their glasses and shouted,"Congratulations,Nora!"

Rina:Don't let it hurt you.She doesn't deserve to affect your mood.

I tossed my phone aside.

I picked up my training notes and started writing my program plan for the Regional Qualifier.

As long as I kept training,I did not have to think about anything else.