Six Months.

That’s how long it’s been since the war ended.

Since the whole world discovered the truth about demonic existence, and Theo’s secret.

As Ava stepped into the house, the smell of lavender and jasmine hit her nose. After the war, she had gotten her own place - mostly because of Theo. The girl still had a lot to catch up on, and the last thing to give a confused brain was to overwhelm it.

"I’m back!" Ava said as she dropped the bag of groceries in the kitchen and pulled the door of the fridge open

Theo walked into the kitchen, "Let me help,"

They began placing every food item into the appropriate section in the fridge quietly, with Ava frequently stealing glances at Theo.

The memory loss she was suffering from now came with a new sense of self. Back then, there was always too much on her mind, and she always gave off an exhausted aura, but now her aura was calm and refreshing.

Theo knew Ava always secretly stared at her. At first, she thought she could see something she couldn’t, despite her blindness, and had come to learn that Ava could see deeper than any other wolf. However, now it was becoming slightly uncomfortable being stared at all the time.

"Luna Academy is finally resuming next week," Ava said.

"You mean the all-girls Luna academy?"

"Yup," Ava replied, "And I do not want to leave you here, alone in this house,"

"It’s not like you can take me with you..."

Ava leaned against the counter and crossed her arms, "I know. That’s the annoying part."

Theo wiped her hands slowly with a kitchen cloth, "I’ll survive," She said, "I’m not made of glass."

"I know that," Ava replied, "But six months is still six months."

Theo looked at her.

The space she needed had been given to her, but her head was still filled with emptiness, and then there was a world that knew her better than she knew herself.

Ava sighed and pushed herself off the counter, "Do you remember the chaos right after the war ended?" she asked.

"There were lots, which one?"

"The one with two men and their obsession,"

"Oh! I thought you handled it,"

"I did," Ava opened the cupboard and grabbed two glasses, "Well, in case you’re curious... it was a disaster."

Theo leaned back against the counter, listening.

"Zeke wanted to take you with him," Ava said. "Zevon looked like he was about to kill anyone who even suggested moving you anywhere,"

Theo blinked, "That sounds... intense."

"It was worse than intense," Ava replied. "Those two were practically vibrating with the need to drag you away somewhere safe."

Theo could almost picture it, "And you stopped them?" She asked.

Ava lifted one shoulder, "I told them the same thing I told everyone else. If they actually cared about you, they’d give you space to breathe."

Theo’s lips twitched slightly, "I can imagine Zeke’s reaction to that."

"He hated it." Ava grinned.

"And Zevon?"

"He didn’t argue," Ava said, "But I could tell he wanted to. The look in his eyes was terrifying, really,"

Theo laughed softly, "So that’s how I ended up here."

"Exactly," Ava said. "You needed time to figure yourself out without two overprotective mates hovering over your shoulder every five seconds."

Theo folded the kitchen cloth slowly, and muttered, "They still hover."

"Oh, they absolutely do," Ava heard her, "They just do it from a distance now."

Theo nodded in agreement. Silence settled over the two girls, and then Theo sighed, "I kind of want to leave the house."

"You mean right now?" Ava asked, turning back to her.

"I’ve been inside too much," Theo replied, tracing her fingers down the edge of the counter absentmindedly, "And my father keeps calling,"

Ava groaned immediately. She already knew about it though.

"He started it a few weeks after I moved here," she said. "At first it was just checking on me."

"And now?"

"Now he keeps talking about the North. The pack. Responsibilities. Something about wanting me to be the next Alpha," She rubbed her forehead. "It’s stressful when you don’t even remember the life people expect you to step back into."

Ava watched her carefully.

"I just..." Theo exhaled slowly, " I’m always confused and my thoughts wander a lot and my wolf has explained to me how my life was with my father a thousand times, and it’s just tiring trying to understand why a man who never wanted me has now made it his life’s aim to talk me into responsibilities I don’t think I can carry. I want one night where I don’t think about it."

Ava’s expression shifted slowly into a slightly dangerous gleam, "Well..." She drawled.

Theo narrowed her eyes immediately, "I get the feeling that tone doesn’t mean something normal."

Ava grinned, "What if we went out?"

Theo tilted her head, "Out where?"

"I don’t know yet," Ava admitted. "Just somewhere that isn’t here."

Theo considered it.

The Fresh air. Noise. Something new. Something that didn’t smell like quiet recovery and lavender tea.

"That actually sounds nice," She said.

Ava clapped her hands once, "Perfect."

Theo eyed her suspiciously, "Why do I feel like you already have somewhere in mind?"

"I might."

"That’s not reassuring."

Ava grabbed her jacket from the chair, "The place I have in mind...is a bit far from here. You know we are in neutral territory right now. But I think it would be worth exploring for both of us!"

Theo raised a brow, "Exploring?"

"Bars. Music. Food stalls. People watching."

"That sounds normal."

"For now."

"What does that mean?"

Ava shrugged while slipping on her boots, "Let’s just say... I’ve heard some interesting things about the place,"

"Define interesting."

"Motorcycles racing down a blocked street. People punching each other in a ring while others cheer. Lots and lots of...touching and...,"

Theo blinked, then her eyes widened, "Illegal?"

"Obviously,"

Theo crossed her arms, "You’re suggesting we go watch criminals,"

"I’m suggesting we go have fun," Ava corrected, "If we happen to see criminals along the way... that’s just free entertainment."

Theo tried to look unimpressed, but it didn’t work.

A slow smile tugged at her lips, exposing what she truly felt.

"You should have suggested this a long time ago!" She exclaimed, grabbing her own jacket from the back of the chair.

"One more thing," Ava paused, "I don’t know much since I try not to pry into their recent lives, but I think... Zeke might be involved in these kinds of things. Although I doubt we would run into him where we are heading right now, so don’t worry about that,"

"Well," Theo said, sliding her arms into the jacket, "if I’m apparently bonded to someone who probably races motorcycles illegally..."

Ava’s grin widened.

"...then I guess watching one race or two...or a hundred won’t kill me."

"That’s the spirit!" Ava cheered.

Theo opened the front door, and the cool evening air rushed inside. For the first time that day, she felt something other than the heavy weight sitting in her chest.

"Where exactly are we going?" She asked.

Ava picked up her car keys, "Let’s find out,"