AvelineDraven came close to me and I only felt agitated. "Did you?" His hands were in his pockets.A scoff escaped my lips and I concentrated fully on the children that were playing in the pack. We were supposed to have a family also, but he ruined it…and he ruined it completely, and now he thinks some cheap talks are gonna make me come back to him?That is not gonna happen, it won't."You know it's a question of yes or no," his deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "It should not be a big deal to you." "What if it is?" I snapped at him angrily and the shock on his face was visible to me."What if I don't wanna respond to that question?" He seemed to be processing what was going on at the moment but I just averted my gaze from him. I was less concerned with whatever he was doing. "I know I've asked you this before," he hesitated and leaned on the iron. "Something changed about you Aveline, we both know you can't deny that."'"You changed all of a sudden and I still don't underst
Aveline"Are you done with your breakfast?" I packed my hair behind me as I got into the dining room, where I saw Betty putting her plates aside."Oh! I see you're done." My words were barely above a whisper and Betty just nodded in affirmation before rising to her feet. "So umm…you would be going with Claire now; the driver is outside, too." "Okay, Mom," she gave me a warm hug, and I bent low before kissing her on the forehead. "Bye ""Bye." I picked up the car key from the shelf before shutting the door behind me. I glanced at my wristwatch and a sigh escaped my lips. It's been some minutes since Betty left. Without wasting time, I hopped into the car and drove off; I had already promised Betty that I wouldn't be late, so all I had to do was just get to work early and do whatever I wanna do. After some minute's drive, I got to the office, and just like every other day, the workers kept bowing as a sign of greeting, and on the other hand, I waved towards them with a bright smil
AvelineI walked through and fro in the company with my hands on my waist. I was cleaning my face from time to time. "Oh God!" I groaned in pain. The thought of losing everything I built in three years alone is killing me already. What if it all goes down? What if Nova Empire collapsed? Emily, Sophie, Draven's mother. They would mock me till the day I go six feet under the ground. How could I let that happen? How? I mean, this shit is going on, and not even one of these computer experts or IT professionals can fix the problem.I heard approaching footsteps, and I rose to my feet after groaning. It was my secretary. "What? Any good news?" I held her hand immediately she stopped.She knew how broken I was, it would be very easy for anyone to know. Felicia nodded her head. "No ma, no sign of progress." "Call the head of the computer team," I took some steps backward. "Do that now!" "There was something—""I thought I told you to do something right now!" I yelled and I saw her je
Aveline"What is he doing here?" I turned to the guard that was behind him. I had wiped the tears off earlier on immediately I knew it was Draven."I'm sorry ma, but he said he can help us." the guard's voice echoed in the room. "I can take him back if you want ma." Draven leaned on the wall with his right side; his eyes were fixed on me. "Six minutes and twenty-one seconds until the complete shutdown." Kade's gaze was still on his wrist. "God! Like what is your business here?!" I had started to take out my anger on Draven when I felt a hand touch me. It was Kade, and I turned to him with an evil glint in my eyes. "I am serious here Kade," I hardened my jaw. "Like he does not even know what he's going to do," I motioned towards Draven who was still maintaining his position. I walked up to him with a frown on my face. "Now tell me, what did you come here for?" He stood up properly and a light chuckle that provoked me more escaped his lips. "Aren't you in need of someone who wou
AvelineWith the last straw of hope I could muster, I folded my hands across my chest and bit my lips anxiously. Draven had only but a few minutes to get down what a handful of professionals couldn't do. I didn't know if feeling hopeful was the best thing to do or if giving in to defeat would make the pain less painful. Looking at the other staff, I could see just how tensed and anxious they were as well. It was one thing to find and be able to log into the server and tackle whatever it was that was doing the damage and it was another thing not to have access to the server."Any luck?" I whispered a question to Kade who was pacing around the room. Equally tensed.He spread his hands raised to his shoulders to tell me that he had no idea as well.With the few minutes left, it was best to give Draven some alone time to focus on what he was doing; if he could do it."I'm in!" Draven's hoarse voice called out. Making Kade and I widen our eyes in unison. 'Was he playing some kind of game
AvelineThe only thoughts that refused to leave my mind even after getting back home that day were the thoughts of my date with Draven. We never went on a date, not when I was his plaything, not when I was working my butt off for his company. Not never in eight whole years.I scanned through my wardrobe in search of something to wear for the date. A part of me wanted to look hot and sexy, to remind him of what he lost when he chose Emily over me while another part of me wanted to dress tattered, just enough to make him repulsive and not want to have anything to do with me.After all the years I'd spent suffering under his cruel authority, I didn't want to have any link to him for whatever reason."Urgh!" I groaned in frustration and slumped into the bed one more time.He didn't deserve to have me dress up for him. Hell, he didn't even deserve my presence. I was going to wear whatever.After my resolution, I slowly drifted to sleep.The only thing that succeeded in waking me up wa
An average person hates Monday mornings, but I have hated my life for the past seven years. Sitting in the back of the car, I clasped my palms together, rubbing them absently in a vain attempt to warm the cold dread crawling up my spine. But no amount of heat could ever thaw the ice that had settled in my heart over the past seven years.It's funny how time doesn't wait for you to heal and how it didn't wait for me to outgrow the scars that came from harmless wishful thinking. I shrugged and looked outside the window at the skyline of the bustling city and the most magnificent building in the whole country where I worked. But I am far from excited. I will soon be standing before “...the very face that ruined my life without even realising it, by never looking at me the way I wished.“Which spot in the VIP parking lot, is yours, Ma'am, the middle one”“No,” I screamed in response to my new driver, my eyes widening in shock. “Turn in the other direction,” I raised my hand and pointed.
The expression on Emily's face was smug, but taking a closer look, I caught something else beneath the surface—something darker.“I have heard a lot about you, miss...”“Aveline,” I completed for her. "Right," she smiled, pulling a perfectly manicured hand from her pocket and extending it toward me. "I'm Emily, Draven ’s true mate—and soon-to-be bride."Her words hit like a punch to the gut. My stomach twisted as I glanced between her outstretched hand and Draven , who sat casually in his chair as if nothing had been said. This felt surreal like I was living in a lucid nightmare or a scene from a dystopian horror movie. I took a closer look at Emily now, she was tall, with the gate of a runway model. Her nose was long and pointed, her face exquisitely sculptured. The red lipstick across her lips complemented the silver colour of her eyes. Was it what drew Draven to her? The beauty? Or was I simply not up to par? “I don’t think you’re much for handshakes with strangers,” Emily’s
AvelineThe only thoughts that refused to leave my mind even after getting back home that day were the thoughts of my date with Draven. We never went on a date, not when I was his plaything, not when I was working my butt off for his company. Not never in eight whole years.I scanned through my wardrobe in search of something to wear for the date. A part of me wanted to look hot and sexy, to remind him of what he lost when he chose Emily over me while another part of me wanted to dress tattered, just enough to make him repulsive and not want to have anything to do with me.After all the years I'd spent suffering under his cruel authority, I didn't want to have any link to him for whatever reason."Urgh!" I groaned in frustration and slumped into the bed one more time.He didn't deserve to have me dress up for him. Hell, he didn't even deserve my presence. I was going to wear whatever.After my resolution, I slowly drifted to sleep.The only thing that succeeded in waking me up wa
AvelineWith the last straw of hope I could muster, I folded my hands across my chest and bit my lips anxiously. Draven had only but a few minutes to get down what a handful of professionals couldn't do. I didn't know if feeling hopeful was the best thing to do or if giving in to defeat would make the pain less painful. Looking at the other staff, I could see just how tensed and anxious they were as well. It was one thing to find and be able to log into the server and tackle whatever it was that was doing the damage and it was another thing not to have access to the server."Any luck?" I whispered a question to Kade who was pacing around the room. Equally tensed.He spread his hands raised to his shoulders to tell me that he had no idea as well.With the few minutes left, it was best to give Draven some alone time to focus on what he was doing; if he could do it."I'm in!" Draven's hoarse voice called out. Making Kade and I widen our eyes in unison. 'Was he playing some kind of game
Aveline"What is he doing here?" I turned to the guard that was behind him. I had wiped the tears off earlier on immediately I knew it was Draven."I'm sorry ma, but he said he can help us." the guard's voice echoed in the room. "I can take him back if you want ma." Draven leaned on the wall with his right side; his eyes were fixed on me. "Six minutes and twenty-one seconds until the complete shutdown." Kade's gaze was still on his wrist. "God! Like what is your business here?!" I had started to take out my anger on Draven when I felt a hand touch me. It was Kade, and I turned to him with an evil glint in my eyes. "I am serious here Kade," I hardened my jaw. "Like he does not even know what he's going to do," I motioned towards Draven who was still maintaining his position. I walked up to him with a frown on my face. "Now tell me, what did you come here for?" He stood up properly and a light chuckle that provoked me more escaped his lips. "Aren't you in need of someone who wou
AvelineI walked through and fro in the company with my hands on my waist. I was cleaning my face from time to time. "Oh God!" I groaned in pain. The thought of losing everything I built in three years alone is killing me already. What if it all goes down? What if Nova Empire collapsed? Emily, Sophie, Draven's mother. They would mock me till the day I go six feet under the ground. How could I let that happen? How? I mean, this shit is going on, and not even one of these computer experts or IT professionals can fix the problem.I heard approaching footsteps, and I rose to my feet after groaning. It was my secretary. "What? Any good news?" I held her hand immediately she stopped.She knew how broken I was, it would be very easy for anyone to know. Felicia nodded her head. "No ma, no sign of progress." "Call the head of the computer team," I took some steps backward. "Do that now!" "There was something—""I thought I told you to do something right now!" I yelled and I saw her je
Aveline"Are you done with your breakfast?" I packed my hair behind me as I got into the dining room, where I saw Betty putting her plates aside."Oh! I see you're done." My words were barely above a whisper and Betty just nodded in affirmation before rising to her feet. "So umm…you would be going with Claire now; the driver is outside, too." "Okay, Mom," she gave me a warm hug, and I bent low before kissing her on the forehead. "Bye ""Bye." I picked up the car key from the shelf before shutting the door behind me. I glanced at my wristwatch and a sigh escaped my lips. It's been some minutes since Betty left. Without wasting time, I hopped into the car and drove off; I had already promised Betty that I wouldn't be late, so all I had to do was just get to work early and do whatever I wanna do. After some minute's drive, I got to the office, and just like every other day, the workers kept bowing as a sign of greeting, and on the other hand, I waved towards them with a bright smil
AvelineDraven came close to me and I only felt agitated. "Did you?" His hands were in his pockets.A scoff escaped my lips and I concentrated fully on the children that were playing in the pack. We were supposed to have a family also, but he ruined it…and he ruined it completely, and now he thinks some cheap talks are gonna make me come back to him?That is not gonna happen, it won't."You know it's a question of yes or no," his deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "It should not be a big deal to you." "What if it is?" I snapped at him angrily and the shock on his face was visible to me."What if I don't wanna respond to that question?" He seemed to be processing what was going on at the moment but I just averted my gaze from him. I was less concerned with whatever he was doing. "I know I've asked you this before," he hesitated and leaned on the iron. "Something changed about you Aveline, we both know you can't deny that."'"You changed all of a sudden and I still don't underst
AvelineI shot Draven a deadly stare whenever our eyes met and I'm pretty sure that was the reason why he stopped looking at me."Wow, I'm out in the first round," I heard Kade's voice. "I guess I met my superior already." "You are right," Betty replied to him but Draven's gaze was fixed on the game. It's not like I wanted him to look at me anyway. Had it been it was three years ago, I guess I would have blushed every time he looked at me, but now… it's useless. Fucking useless!!!Betty and Draven placed their hand under their chins as they were completely into the game like they were gonna be given an award worth millions of dollars. "You're a tough opponent," Draven whispered to Betty who just chuckled. Whenever they looked at one another, my heart skips. It won't be long before he notices the things Betty has in common with him, and I just wish they would play the game and not keep on looking at one another.How would Betty react when she finds out that bastard is her father?H
DravenHe lifted his up and his gaze was fixed on them again, the way they played, the way they laughed. "I guess he is a great father," he muttered in defeat. 'Well, you had the chance to be one but guess what? You fucked up that chance because of your pride.' he heard his wolf's voice again and he gritted his teeth in anger. 'And where has that gotten you? Nowhere of ourse.' He gave no response, instead he just kept staring at the family that were laughing and playing. 'You know I'm telling you the truth don't you?' 'Okay, I know. I know you are telling me the truth so can you shut the fuck up now? Please.' A sigh of relief escaped his lips when he heard nothing from his wolf. He slowly walked towards the family with his hands in his pockets. Hi." Aveline turned to him. Not in shock but in hate and he pressed his lips when he saw the look on her face. Her forehead knitted and a grim expression was visible on her face, he was about to turn when he felt a warm hand grab his
DravenDraven placed Sophie on the couch and a sigh escaped his lips. "How is Aveline capable of doing this?" He rose to his feet and walked out of the sitting room with a concerned look. He got to a room where he brought out a first aid kit, and then he made it back to the sitting room. Slowly and gently, he cleaned the blood on her face and her hand before applying ointment and he bandaged it. "Your wolf must be weak so I guess it'll be faster with this," his gaze was on the med kit that was now arranged properly again. He took Sophie in his hands and made for her room before kicking the door open."Where am I?" Sophie's eyes opened slowly and her tone was low. "You're still home okay?" He dropped her on the bed and flipped the switch. "All you need is just rest and your wounds will be healed." Without waiting for a response, he shut the door behind him and made for the sitting room with worry etched on his face. "Aveline did that to her?" His hands were in his pockets and a