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
The sun did nothing to alleviate my suffering as it shone merciless above me. It was an unusually hot day. Another day to face the bricks that would break my bones and leave my life in the shadows of pain."She's here," I heard whispers and everyone seemed to stare awkwardly at me, not like I cared since I had been dealt the worse blow of my life the day before and was really ready for anything. Maybe mot anything. I casually dropped my bag and buried my head in work to distract myself all day."Here comes the slimmy and shameless bitch." Someone said when I walked out my door to give a file to an employee. "Excuse me what?" I turned when I realized I was the only female approaching since the rest sat behind desktops."You heard me," a slightly tan lady eyed me but no matter how I tried, I couldn't recall her face. She definitely didn't work here."And who are you to think you're worthy of speaking to me?" I was done playing dumb and doormat. "Oh, I see you have wings simply bec
I was no fan of Emily especially after her display in the office the previous day yet I listened to whatever she had to say hoping it was good and Draven was coming soon but that was where I had got it completely wrong."What do you want Emily?" I asked folding my hand across my chest in a defensive stance."You sent a message to Draven didn't you?" She smirked as she walked in and shut the door properly behind her "And whatever message I sent has nothing to do with you either. " I was really irritated by her guts."I don't think Draven shares the same thought as you else he wouldn't have sent me here to talk to you in his stead." "What? Draven sent you here to meet and talk with me instead?" I was shocked. "Oh Aveline, what really do you expect from him?" She blinked like a cute puppy. "Draven sent me here because he does not want to have anything to do with you or your bastard baby." Her words hit me hard.My child was no bastard."He can't," I stammered because I saw him r
I blinked back the excess sunlight and shielded my eyes with my hand when I regained consciousness. My head hurt slightly but I was alive."Damn it girl," a familiar voice filled with concern rang through my ears before I could catch a glimpse of the company around me."Hi," I muttered the words as I struggled to my sit upright. "Hey, be careful." Sabrina my best friend helped me to a sitting position. "What do you think you are doing to yourself?" I saw the lines of worry on her forehead as she squeezed my arm gently. I didn't need a lecture, I wanted to know what happened to me."What happened?" I asked in the loudest tone I could but it still came out a whisper. The sadness in her eyes fueled my curiosity, "Brina, where..." she shook her head and I trailed off.If not anyone I had surely informed Sabrina about my pregnancy. "I didn't lose it right?" I asked still hopeful."I'm sorry baby girl but I couldn't get here fast enough after your call and I met you in a really bad stat
DravenDraven arched an eyebrow when Aveline snapped back at him with her words.He rose from his chair and placed his hands on the table. His broad shoulders were very visible, and his hair bounced upward, leaving the few strands just at the front of his innocent blue eyes that could capture one's heart with just a glance.His facial appearance was one to speak about also, but at this point, he was angry rather than confused. Aveline was still standing when he stood properly. "What did you think you are trying to do?" His deep baritone filled the room but Aveline was not fazed by it. Instead, she just shrugged. "I told you already, I'm packing my things," she heaved a deep sigh and opened her eyes. "I would be out of this place in an hour."Two lines appeared on Draven's face as he stared deeper into Aveline's eyes. "We both know you are doing this to make me beg you." "Ain't I saying the truth?" He added. A deep scoff escaped Aveline's throat. "I need nothing from you, Draven; I
Aveline I walked out of the office slowly, I had made up my mind already, I could not turn back on my words. Emily was deceiving herself if she thinks I was hurt by the stupidity she portrayed in there, I knew Draven had given up on me and he sees me as a whore who just satisfy his sexual urge, it was painful but I just had to accept it.Different thoughts of what to do after I leave this place kept flooding in my head and it just kept fading away and I saw more of it as a bad option.Was Draven was right about what he said?Maybe I can't survive outside his territory, is he the reason why I had been surviving all this time?No, no way!!!The seven years that I spent here with Draven was more of a living hell so I don't think I would be fazed by the world outside this place. I would survive!!!It felt like my heart was squeezed as I turned away each day I keep telling myself that it's fine, that I would be fine even though I know things are not okay."Where did you think you are goi
Aveline Immediately I got to the hospital, and I rushed off to where the doctor that had called me was. I pushed open the ward door, hoping that what the doctor had said would turn out to be false, even though I knew that the chance of that happening was extremely low. I met the doctor standing close to the bed with what seemed to be nothing other than a stethoscope around his neck with his back turned towards me. I walked slowly, my feet feeling too heavy to raise, so I had to drag them across the floor, my facial expression betraying my emotion in that instant immediately after I laid my eyes on the figure that lay on the bed that the doctor was standing really close to and was covered from head to toe. The doctor turned to stare at me with a saddened expression plastered on his face; that same emotion could be noticed in his voice when he spoke to me. “I am sorry for your loss, Miss Aveline; she died not too long ago,” he said to me and clasped his hand on my shoulder. I tight
Aveline."Why is the car driving towards us? And with that amount of speed?" Sabrina asked, wide-eyed and alarmed. "Hold tight," I instructed and turned the steering wheel to change the direction of the tires so the moment I stepped on the accelerator, my car escaped the oncoming car by a little shift. They could've run into us if I hadn't acted fast. I stared at my rearview mirror to observe the white van that was behind us and noticed that the engine was still on and it was still coming for us.I sped off with hopes of losing the car but another one came from one of the bushes in front."Shit!" I cursed but didn't take my legs off the accelerator."Were they trying to kidnap us right now? Or was this Kade's doings? It had to be placed since we couldn't place a finger at what or who exactly was behind it.If I was the only one, I could've let them take me but I had my family with me and I wasn't about to let any of them get hurt. Not on my watch."The car doesn't seem to be stoppin
AvelineIt's been four days since Draven told me about what he saw and what he thinks might happen and even though Sabrina thinks we should go to Draven's pack and stay under his watch, I don't think I'm ready yet to go there.Not when Betty is involved. I could go alone or even bear taking Sabrina with me but with Betty coming along, it's a different ball game.The last years I spent there were hell to me and the memory still haunts me after years. I wouldn't want Betty to experience the slightest toxicity. "What do you think about this dress huh? You'd slay in it I'm sure. Necks would turn to you if you go in this." Sabrina was at one of her talks to try to convince me to move to Draven's park."I told you before already, I'm not going to let Betty go through what I went through.""Who said she's going to go through that? Besides, Draven's now on your side and so is Sofia." She protests."What if Sofia's just pretending to get me on good notes with her? What if Draven's in on it wi
Aveline Hours after Betty's birthday, I was sitting in my garden under a shade, alongside Sabrina. Betty had gone to school, the maids had come over to clean and cook, and they had all been dismissed; their services wouldn't be needed throughout today.The only service that would be needed is that of the guards who were at the gate. They had been there ever since the day that the news got released, with no dismissal for them. With Kade out there, my life was still in danger; he had threatened me. I need all the security and protection that I can get for as long as I can. “What's up with you? You have been lost in thought for quite a while now,” Sabrina said after tapping me to get my attention. “Really?” I questioned with a slightly stunned expression on my face; the question was a genuine one, though. Truthfully, I had no idea that I had been lost in thought, not until Sabrina tapped me.“Yeah. So, are you going to share what it is that is troubling you?” she questioned.“Obvious
DravenI told Aveline to go inside with Betty while I spoke with Kade and her eyes communicated how grateful she was for my intervention. She must've been so scared to see Kade here after their fight and it pissed me off to see the negative effect he had on her.Things are different now that I have another chance with her and I will not allow another man to threaten Aveline or her child. I couldn't protect them before and I am going to do everything in my power to protect them now."Go on and play in the swing section." Kade dismissed his niece with a soothing smile before pocketing his hands and shifting his attention to me."What the fuck are you doing here Kade?" I began, my expression stiff and unimpressive. "What do you think? I'm here for my niece's best friend's birthday party." He says with a nonchalant smile. "Cut the crap, I know that's not why you're here. And I know that you're being that stunt in there." My voice became raspy as my anger grew."Did something happen in
AvelineI make a swift glance behind Draven to see two serving carts rolling towards us, one was empty while the other was packed with plates and utensils with food in them.The guests were screaming and running out of the way. From the look of things, the carts collided with force and were coming our way. For some reason, I couldn't seem to move. My feet felt like they were glued to the ground. I looked at Draven's face which held a frown.The logical thing to do was to move out of the way but I couldn't -- we couldn't. It was as if we were being controlled by some remote."What's going on?" Draven blurts out and I know that it was as I thought. We both couldn't move.Something with the force of a magnet was pinning us to the ground.The carts roll in so close I think we're going to be run over but just then, strong hands and bodies push us to the side and fall over us."What the fuck was that?" Sofia asked after the carts rolled past us."I don't know." Getting on my feet was strai
Aveline. The day for Betty’s birthday finally arrived after what seemed like a really slow week. A lot of people were invited, and it was hosted in my house. The people that showed their face here were more than the ones that I had invited; some of them were Betty’s friends. I walked around to make sure that everything was in order just before the party started; it was less than an hour away from starting. There was a knock on the door. I watched Sabrina walk up to the door to open it. I didn’t bother turning back to stare at who it was; instead, I continued with my search. The person who knocked might just be someone I had invited or maybe one of the friends Betty had made in her class. “Aveline,” a familiar voice called, causing me to turn back with a smile on my face, one that stretched with a little bit of surprise. Immediately, I saw what she was holding. “Where’s your little girl? I have something to present to her myself,” she said, raising the box of cupcakes in her han
Draven. “Ok then, that would be all for now,” Draven said over the phone to someone who was on the other end of the line. He listened to the person’s reply, pulled the phone away from his ear, and slipped his phone into his pocket. Staring at the view of the city through his floor-to-ceiling window, he spaced out, remembering how the past few days had been. Aveline’s pack members' attack on his pack has finally been halted, and the peace has finally returned, all thanks to Aveline. She had also been the one to deal with the issue that had been trending on the internet, though she had been the one benefitting negatively from it, while it had only had a little impact against him. At that moment, the emotion occupying his heart was that of sadness, due to the fact that he was unable to help at all the past few days. That act was so unlike him; he was known well for always helping out in times like this and also coming up with solutions. The look in his eyes suddenly lit up; immedi
AvelineI cocked my head to the side with a raised smile and an amused expression on my face."Say what now?" I asked even though I heard her clearly.And she must've known and chosen to ignore or was just oblivious to the fact that she acted very strangely."I said I want a truce, between us." She repeated. Her face is straight.She must've been touched since I accepted to help her pack. Her beef with me was unreasonable. She should've known from the start but I do not tell her that and I certainly do not trust her call for a truce.We've been enemies for too long I'd gotten used to seeing her like one.However, it must've taken everything in her to approach me for a truce and blocking her out might not be the best thing to do since it's better to keep the enemies closer."My daughter's birthday dinner party is this weekend. Come if you're not busy." I said with a smile.There, I can watch her closely and find out if she has an ulterior motive. I expected her to frown and snap at me
Aveline. Immediately after I walked out of the house, I let out a long exhale to calm my raging nerves. I ignited the engine, and at the same time, connected my phone with my car and was about to place a call across to the huge guy I had fought in my pack to convince the remaining pack members. Mason. That was his name; I had learned it from him after the fight, which had been obviously humiliating to him.Just as I was about to dial the number, I decided against it and just decided to play music instead.I was really trying to avoid anything that would get me more pissed than I was.‘You will need to get your emotions in check before you do something that you might regret out of anger,’ V said in my mind with her usual calm tone.‘I am really trying to get them in check, but the words that Sofia said keep repeating in my head, and that is the exact thing keeping me pissed.’ I replied to her, my face tensed, forming a frown. ‘Think of something else, then,’ V replied and fell in