AVA: AWAKENING OF THE LUNA

school prom excitement; girls huddled in corners whispering and giggling abou

rs were that she had basically ransacked every beauty salon in town just to be the prettiest there.

stly, who could blame her? They had been awful to her, shoving around and making her feel like she did not belong

riends ever and Alora could literally be the sole person who saw Ava for who she was. She

eality. She had lost herself in thoughts, managed to nearl

he always did it. Gentle looking sweet features; nice eyebrows; these deep brown eyes that soften in a morning sun.

her purse, then saw that old scar on her right arm. Odd thing about it; she'd had it since

g when everybody watches: noisy whispers and glaring eyes toward her, but Av

hey always reminded her of her dad. He loved them. But to get

k!" someon

t kept

There was even spitting on the ground aft

ow them the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She k

und to ensure that no one was shadowing or taili

when she squatted between the tombstones of her parents': a deadly hollow feeling of loss. She tr

truth of whole aloneness. She wiped her eyes with her han

" she whispered throu

w. Nothing changed-people still hate me, treat me like I don't belong here. But I'm

leased that pitiful laugh th

ded softly-toying with

e are times when I even wonder if those people might be right-about me being bad luck

w through the cemetery, and the trees shook t

ing to tell you both," she said slightly blushing. "You remember me mentioning Damon? The Alpha?" She waited for him as she twirled her silver hair nervously. "Well, today's a big deal. He's picking his mate. I mean, I know he is hardly ever going to notice me, but... I don't know, he just does something to me, you know? Whenever I see him, it's... I can't explain it, but like we're somehow connected. My wolf goes crazy around him - she's never reacted to anyone else like that."

ly for the hundredth time. Down at Moon Square, the entire pack must be going crazy with prep

at her door

she muttered and dragg

just stepped out of a magazine; adorning this incredible midnight blue gown which shimmered with every movemen

ing in her friend's transformation. "Y

ell, don't I? But hold up - why are you still in your pa

had already pushed past her and was heading st

a said quietly, fidgeting with the hem of h

's clothing, she completed her phrase in a dull monotonous voice: "Feeling nervous about those s

oor. The silence of Alora was enough to comp

gotten. "Well, tough luck, bestie. Well, baby girl, don't let them ruin the entire night for you. Come with me, and w

tomatically. "Now get dressed. We've got a ceremo

iend's dogged face, Ava felt a smile crin

, are you?" She already knew

hantly. "Now, hurry! Beauty like this

, Ava thought as she held the dress up against her and wore