Chasing His Scentless Mate-Chapter 337 Caroline’s Pack Joining Ceremony Invitation

Chapter 337: Chapter 337 Caroline’s Pack Joining Ceremony Invitation
Ava’s POV
"Wine!" Eleanor announced dramatically as I stepped through her door that evening. "Lots and lots of wine. You look like you need it."
I gratefully accepted the glass she thrust into my hands. "You have no idea."
Nina and Ruby were already sprawled on Eleanor’s plush sectional, and Kyle was mixing something in the kitchen that smelled amazing. Caroline hadn’t arrived yet.
"So, Alpha Hottie is still on his apology tour?" Ruby asked, patting the spot next to her.
I sank down onto the couch. "Every day this week. I don’t get it. He can have any woman he wants."
"Maybe he wants you," Nina said, twirling a strand of her hair. "Ever think of that?"
"Trust me, he doesn’t know what he wants," I replied, taking a large gulp of wine. "If he really wanted to be with me, he wouldn’t have betrayed me. Multiple times."
Eleanor consoled me. "I condemn his cheating behavior first and foremost, but I have to say, he’s been living in hell during this time. Well, men always only learn to cherish what they have after they lose it."
"Speaking of men," Kyle called from the kitchen, "Dominic asked about you again, Eleanor."
Ruby leaned in with a gossipy grin. "How do you even know that? Are you still in touch with Paul?"
Kyle smiled. "Luke’s pretty jealous about it, anyway. Though I think Dominic definitely can’t compete with your beloved prince Nate."
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it. When will that boy learn I’m not interested?"
I couldn’t help but laugh. "The curse of being fabulous," raising my glass.
The doorbell rang, and Eleanor went to answer it. Caroline burst in, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Ladies, I have huge news!" she announced, her eyes sparkling. "Draven officially invited me to join Storm Valley Pack! Again!The ceremony is next week!"
The room erupted in cheers and congratulations.
"That’s amazing!" Eleanor exclaimed. "I knew it was coming, but still!"
"This is a big deal," Kyle said, coming in from the kitchen with a tray of appetizers. "Pack Joining Ceremony don’t happen often, especially for someone who wasn’t born into the pack."
Caroline beamed. "And that’s not all. Draven said he’ll invite Alphas and Betas from all the major renowned packs to attend. And I want all of you to come with me. As my guests."
"Seriously?" Ruby squealed. "At Storm Valley territory?"
"Draven said I could invite my closest friends," Caroline explained. "You guys have been my support system since I moved here. I want you there."
"Count me in!" Nina said immediately.
"Absolutely," Eleanor agreed.
"Wouldn’t miss it," Kyle added.
I remained silent, staring into my wineglass.
Caroline turned to me, her smile fading slightly. "Ava? I really hope you’ll come too."
I shifted uncomfortably. "I... I don’t know if I should. These kinds of ceremonies... they’re not really for people like me."
"What do you mean ’people like you’?" Caroline asked, sitting next to me.
"I’m from a tiny pack no one’s heard of. I don’t have a wolf. I’d be completely out of place at some high-profile pack event with Alphas and important wolves from all over."
Caroline took my hand. "Ava, if anyone understands feeling out of place, it’s me. I was an outcast in my own pack because I don’t have a scent."
"And I’m too ’aggressive’ as a she-wolf for most traditional wolves," Eleanor added.
"See? We’re all misfits in some way," Caroline continued. "That’s why we found each other here in Harbor Bay. This city is trying to build a community where those old prejudices don’t matter as much."
"Besides," Nina nudged me with her shoulder, "you’ll have us right beside you the whole time."
"And Joseph will probably be there," Ruby added with a sly grin.
I groaned. "That’s supposed to convince me to go?"
"It could be your chance to talk to him," Caroline suggested. "Or completely ignore him in front of everyone. Either way, it’s power."
I couldn’t help but smile at that. "When you put it that way..."
"Plus," Kyle chimed in, "this is a great opportunity to learn more about wolf society. You’ve always said you felt disconnected from that part of your heritage."
She had a point. Despite growing up in a pack, I’d always felt like an outsider looking in. Maybe seeing a real pack ceremony would help me understand the werewolf world better.
"Okay," I finally agreed. "I’ll come."
Caroline hugged me tightly. "Thank you! This means so much to me."
As the others chatted excitedly about what to wear and who might be there, my mind drifted to Grandma. Had Mom found her? I’d sent several more messages throughout the week with no response.
My friends were all so good to me, should I share my secrets with them? I’d never had friendships like this before, people who genuinely cared about my wellbeing and wanted to include me in their lives. Growing up in a small pack, I’d always been on the outside looking in, the quiet girl who kept to herself.
But here were Caroline, Eleanor, and the others, treating me like family. They deserved honesty, didn’t they? Yet how could I possibly explain that my grandmother might have been taken by werewolves, that my mother was a witch hiding dangerous secrets, and that I had powers I didn’t understand?
The guilt gnawed at me.
"Earth to Ava," Nina waved her hand in front of my face. "Where’d you go just now?"
I blinked back to the present. "Sorry, just thinking."
"About Joseph?" Ruby teased.
I forced a smile. "Just wondering what the hell I’m going to wear to this thing."
Eleanor’s eyes lit up. "Oh honey, you’re coming to my closet. I have the perfect dress for you."
***
The pack join ceremony day arrived too quickly. I stood in front of the mirror in Eleanor’s guest bathroom, barely recognizing myself. The dress she’d lent me was a deep emerald green. It hugged my curves in all the right places before flowing gracefully to the floor.
"Wow," Nina said from the doorway. "You look incredible."
"So do you," I replied honestly. Nina was stunning in a pale blue gown that complemented her beautifully.
Eleanor appeared behind her in a silver dress that seemed to shimmer with every movement. "Ladies, we are going to turn heads tonight."
Ruby and Caroline joined us, equally gorgeous in their formal attire.
"Our chariot awaits," Eleanor announced.
Nate was standing by his stretch Lincoln.
Ruby joked, "Prince Charming’s ride is definitely something else."
The Storm Valley Pack territory was located on the outskirts of Harbor Bay, a sprawling estate surrounded by forest and protected by high walls. As our limo approached the gates, I felt my anxiety spike.
"It’s okay," Caroline squeezed my hand. "Remember, you’re my invited guest. No one will question your right to be here."
I nodded, trying to believe her. But as we pulled up to the impressive mansion that served as the pack house, I couldn’t help feeling like an impostor.