Ella's POV

Can't believe Ava's finally here. Two years is too long. Can't blame her for traveling though - not after everything these past ten years.

The lavender-sage mix in her room should knock her and Puna out good. She needs the rest, needs to be safe.

He's been out there, watching from the shadows, waiting for her to come home.

I lock up and head out. He's still lurking. Desperate to see her. Too bad she hates his guts for abandoning her and her mom. I spot him on my right.

"Looks just like Lucy," he says.

I shoot him a dirty look. Father or not, what he did was trash. "Stay away. She doesn't want to see you," I snap. "FYI, she met your son. Shot down his party invite real quick."

"Got Lucy's fire in her," he says with a smile.

"Don't say my sister's name. You lost that right," I snarl, walking past him.

He looks hurt. "Ella, please. You know what went down. I didn't have a choice."

I whip around, getting in his face. My panther's ready to tear him apart. "You've got some nerve. Bet Ava knows more than you think," I warn. "And she straight-up hates you. Keep your kids away from her for now."

He goes blank. "I just want to know my daughter."

"William," I spit his name like it's poison. "Back. Off. You, your mate, your kids, and that Alpha you picked over your family - stay away. You have no idea what she's been through." Crap, said too much.

"What do you mean? What happened to her?" His shock looks real, but whatever. Not my story to tell.

I head for the cafe - it's just around the corner.

"Ella, please tell me!" he calls, following me. I duck into the cafe. We're closing early for their stupid ceremony anyway.

Olivia's smile drops when William follows me in. She hates him too.

"Ella," he pushes. "You can't hide things about my daughter."

That's it. Done with this jerk. Ten years of nothing, and now he's playing dad? I'm only back in this dump for Olivia anyway.

I get in his face. "Listen up, you worthless piece of work. You ghosted her for ten years. I don't owe you jack. Never came back, even when I reached out. You're not her father - never were, never will be," I spit. "I raised both girls solo, no thanks to you. You wanna know Ava? Grow a pair and talk to her yourself - if she ever lets you, which'll be never."

His shame's rolling off him, but before I can really let him have it, Henry and the new Alpha Leo walk in.

Henry reads the room quick. "Dad, what're you doing here?"

His dad clams up.

"What's going on here, Ella?" Leo demands.

I roll my eyes. Freaking wolves.

"She's telling this loser to take a hike," Olivia jumps in, backing me up.

Leo growls. "Watch your mouth, cat, or I'll end you."

Olivia growls back. "Alpha or not, stay out of my mom's business."

Trying to keep Olivia safe, I face Leo. "William was just leaving. Bad timing."

With William and Henry on either side of Leo, I add, "Here's your ceremony cakes. Now out." Then to Leo: "And if you ever threaten my daughter again, you'll learn what this cat can do."

He looks shocked. Never seen me this heated, even before he left for training.

"Ella, as the new Alpha-" Leo starts.

I cut him off with a look at William and Henry. "You two stay away when Ava's here, got it?" My panther lets out this massive snarl. "I mean it - come in here causing drama, you'll regret it. She wants nothing to do with you."

"You can't keep me from my daughter," William pushes.

The bell dings. Her scent hits the cafe.

William freezes.

Oh damn, she is ticked.