Avery Elise's P. O. V."Why do you have to wake me up this early, Tricia?" I was even still rubbing my eyes when I saw Tricia standing beside the bed and trying her best to wake me up. "It's only four in the morning.""My apologies, Lycan Queen, but Alpha Duke asked me to do it." Her tone sounded forced.But why would Duke ask her to wake me up at this hour. It's not like he couldn't remember how tiring our night had been after taking a 'bath'.I held on my arm and I started moving my head in a circulating way to stretch my neck."Does he need something?" It's the only reason I could think of why Duke would need to have me awake at this hour when normally, he always asked me to rest longer than I intended to."I presume, yes, Lycan Queen. I saw his men coming in with paper bags and packages. They brought all of it to the library.""What are those for?" I got off the bed and stood in front of her.Tricia shook her head at me, "I have no idea, Lycan Queen."I heave a deep sigh before I
Avery Elise's P. O. V.As soon as my training and lessons started, Duke had become stricter with everything in the household. He wouldn't let a small mistake slide by without someone getting punished for it. His reason was valid though, but it feels different for me to have someone be punished just for the sake of my own safety.None of the lycans argued with him, not that they can't because he's the Lycan King, but because they agree with his reasons. I, his fated mate and wife, would bear his heir. The future ruler of the whole lycanthropy who will protect them from the other kinds. Especially from humans who had gone more crazy to look for evidence about us.I don't know what Duke is up to right now, but not only has he become strict with the house rules and laws, he has been really busy too. Whenever I would try and ask Tricia, she wouldn't tell me anything as it is the Alpha's order, Duke's order.Just how serious is the problem he has right now that he wouldn't let anyone know,
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I looked straight into Ralf's eyes and waited for him to take back his decision, but he was too determined to let me have a week's rest from my training."Ralf, we have been working on this for a month. You know that this is not the first time I'm looking so sick like this." If Ralf is determined, then so am I. I don't want to miss any training and lessons. I want to know and learn more."Neither I, Lycan Queen." Ralf said in a distant voice. "Having this experience with the Lycan King and head of the Myers Mafia can surely pull me to the high level. I was obsessed with getting things done right away that I've forgotten I should be looking out for your health as well." Ralf deeply sighed before he forced himself to smile for me. "I'm sorry, but you have to rest and let's stop this for a week. If you think you really can't, then I suggest you read more about the history and learn from it."Ralf bowed to me while holding his duffle bag and left the gym. I exaspera
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Someone's here to see you, Lycan Queen!" Tricia announced as she opened the door to Duke's office.Duke and I looked at each other as I watched Tricia be surprised to see Duke. She bowed her head in an apologetic way."I'm sorry, Alpha. I wasn't informed that you're back already!" Tricia sounded nervous."Just as how I wasn't informed that you can barge in without knocking and a permission to come inside, Tricia." Duke creased his forehead, and the coldness and menacing tone of his voice was there too. "You weren't usually like this. So, what changed? It makes me think that you haven't been respecting my Luna with the same respect you're paying me!"The same time Duke hissed at Tricia, Beta Koby came in too with a confused look in his eyes as he watched Tricia stand in the middle of the office. I stood up too when Duke averted his eyes on Beta Koby."Koby—""Ah, Duke!" I came forward to his side and held his forearm tightly. "Please, stop."He furrowed his brow
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I diverted my attention to Tricia and Beta Koby who's looking seriously at each other before I focused my attention on Tricia."Tricia?" She looked at me in surprise before she gave Beta Koby a quick glance and faced me again. "Did Chairman Myers ask you to keep it a secret?"It's the only reason I could think of why she wouldn't tell me anything. Tricia had always been blatant and honest with me to whatever I was interested in knowing.She slowly nodded at me, but even though I wanted so badly to get an answer from my question about this bedding that Chairman Myers was planning, I kept my mouth shut."We should head to the visitor lounge now, then. Don't you think so?" I asked the three of them.They all looked determined to really go with me so I don't think I can still change their mind. Might as well just let them go with me.I turned my back on them and went to the visitor lounge. Gamma Adriel opened the door for me and as soon as I came in, Regina only sat
Avery Elise's P. O. V."We should prepare something for her arrival, then!" I stopped walking and turned to face Tricia who's shaking her head at me."That's not possible right now, Lycan Queen." Tricia slowly informed me.I furrowed my brows at her, "And why is that?""Because you have a tight schedule for today."I moved my head a little before I glanced at Beta Koby and Gamma Adriel who are patiently waiting for us. "What… What do you mean by a tight schedule? Tricia, I don't have anything to do here. Duke wouldn't let me work, remember?" And that's after the incident that happened to me with the Forest Pack. "Yes, but we have your own room here, Lycan Queen. We can stay there while we do your job preparation later."What? Tricia held my hand before she faced Beta Koby and Gamma Adriel."You two can go, I'll take her from here." Her voice sounded urgent when she spoke to them. "Koby, make sure that Alpha Duke—""Won't leave the house and will have a clear schedule for tonight unt
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Who was left in charge in the mansion, then?" There was a sudden worry in my voice after realizing that Duke and I are both not home."Gamma Adriel is on his way back already. Besides, the pack is also there with Chairman Myers. No need to worry." Tricia tried to comfort me, but still, I can't help but feel worried. "Lycan Queen, you should relax and have fun. You've gone through a lot of training and attended rough lessons with Ralf. Soon, you will also train with the pack and trust me, it's much harder than the training with Ralf.""I know that, Tricia. I just got used to staying inside the house. Ever since I married Duke, I often stay inside and barely even go to the garden." I sat up straight and relaxed in the car seat. "And as I've said, start relaxing yourself because you'll barely experience it once you start training with us. Based on your quick improvements with Ralf, I can tell that in no time, you'll be over with him and start joining us!" I laug
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I was hesitant to move forward so I remained standing in front of the elevator. Tricia tugged my shoulder for me to move forward, but I just can't do it. I feel so nervous and uncomfortable even though I know that Duke would be the one to be wherever this path takes."Lycan Queen?" I heard Tricia calling me. She's probably wondering why I haven't moved yet.I feel so nervous right now. She can't blame me! I know they prepared for this night and this won't be my first time to see Duke, but still… It's my first time to be in this kind of set-up with him. I don't know what to do and I'm not sure if I should really go there. I even felt unconscious about what I'm wearing. What if I'm overdressed too? Or what if my dress is not matching with the theme? What if I mess up while walking towards Duke? Or what if… What if I'm here to witness something else and this set-up is not really for me? That I'm just assuming everything?All my negative thoughts faded away when I
I knew it'll be her, I always did since my father handed me the Catalina's folder. I knew because it was impossible for Kenzo Catalina to hand over his ace in the mafia, Valerie Catalina.She was spoiled and most loved, adored and looked up by many people. Even humans can't keep her eyes out of her and are all willing to pay her high just to buy her service. While her sister, Avery, is a different type.I saw it the first time she looked into my eyes. The pain, agony, and endurance she has while hearing everything that people say about her.Looking into her in front of me felt different. She looked confident despite the emotion in her eyes that she can always manage to hide from everyone. Maybe because she's being forced?She doesn't feel comfortable being in this place, in front of everyone and most of all, under her father's presence who did nothing but to intimidate and threaten her with his gazes.I did feel something the first time she looked at me. It felt different and strange y
"Duke, you're getting married tonight." Was the first thing my father told me the morning before he would pass down his position to me.Not showing any interest, I nodded my head at him as I sat on the couch beside him and in front of my mother who looked displeased with the news."Would it be Tiffany?" Mom asked. Honestly, I can't even describe the right word to use while looking at her.I don't really care whoever my father chooses for me to marry. All I need is to finally inherit his positions as the head of the Myers's mafia and the Lycan King. My pack and I have been waiting for this moment. We have trained countless days and nights just to be ready for this.And after a lot of hard work, we're getting there, but the only problem I had was the part that I need to get married first. It's never my intention to settle down. Well, at least, not after I'm done getting more from my competitors and I'm not even looking for an heir.Though my parents disagree. For them, before I can be c
Duke Devon Myers P. O. V."We haven't heard anything suspicious from Valerie." Koby informed me the moment he entered the torture room. "She came back there just this morning."I paid him a quick glance and watched as my men in the mafia whip the traitors we finally caught. Did they really think that they got past me with the help of a rogue lycan?She might've not revealed anything about our kind, but she would remain us a traitor and should be punished with the others."That's good. What about Turner?" I clenched my jaw while thinking of him watching my wife like a hawk and waiting for his prey. "Any news about him?""Adriel was the one around and watching over him. If he gets any closer to the Lycan Queen, we would know right away." I nodded at him and left that room. "What about Tiffany?""Did she do something?" I opened the door to my office and took off my coat."Alpha Alexander has been holding her captive, but what are we gonna do to her? Madame Morgan had suffered enough from
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I wasn't talking to anyone when we got to the place that they had brought us since that night. It took me a lot of times before I finally managed to be able to slowly move forward.Nightmares plague me every night. Maybe because silently, I was hoping for Duke to come and get us, but the image of him telling me about Tiffany was the one reason I couldn't sleep well at night.It hurts. It hurts more than pushing him away from me with the thought of saving him, but I didn't let those thoughts keep on distracting me. Not especially that I have my son to take care of.I don't know what else happened about our divorce settlement in court, but I knew that my father took care of everything. It's just that.. since the last time I saw him, he hasn't visited us yet to tell me everything personally.The only way I could get through to him was by texting him. He was too busy at work, he said. Especially in taking care of Catalina's assassins that almost went down after what
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I stretched my arms when I opened my eyes and saw Cairo awake beside me. He was enjoying himself and honestly, I'd been questioning myself how can he be awake while I'm asleep.I carefully stood up and looked around me. Duke was already gone and so was his clothes on the sofa. He probably went to work again. I sighed in disappointment and carried Cairo to his crib before I went to the tub and ready myself for a quick bath. After filling up the tub, I went out of the bathroom and saw Lory already changing Cairo's diaper and baby clothes. I watched her do it so the next time, I can do it on my own. It wasn't hard to watch, but when Lory made me try it, only then I figured how hard it can be."I think I need private lessons for this one, Lory." I blurted out and I heard her laughing at what I said."Let me take care of that now, Lycan Queen." Lory took the wipes from my hand. "Go and take a shower, the Lycan King is waiting downstairs for you two.""What?" I asked
Avery Elise's P. O. V.The sound of a machine beeping beside me was the one that's keeping me awake. My vision was spinning and wasn't clear when I roamed my eyes around me.There was no one beside me and the place was all white. There are a lot of flowers and fruits on the table. But what confuses me more was the fact that there's an oxygen mask connected to me and I couldn't move my whole body without feeling pain at all.I closed my eyes and tried to remember what happened, but the last thing I can remember is we're on our way home. I heard when the door opened and someone came in. I couldn't open my eyes yet so I remained still and not moving when I felt someone holding my hand."I hope she wakes up soon." It was Tricia's voice! "Cairo wouldn't sleep well at night without looking for her. Poor baby, he had been expecting his mother's touch."Cairo? What happened to my baby? Is he okay?If I am in this pain, then what about my child? I need to get out of here and get to him!"She
Avery Elise's P. O. V.The next week, I was preparing to go to the mall with my son, but Lory stopped me, telling me that my baby's not ready yet for some kind of activities like that. I quickly felt guilty for what I planned to do and I felt like being a terrible mother already, but I have to stop myself from throwing a fit. Though when I'm alone at night, I couldn't help but to cry and hope that Duke is beside us."You're getting thinner, Avery." Dad pointed out. "Have you been stressing yourself a lot? Again?"I shake my head and twist my pasta in my fork. We're at my mother's grave house and paying her a visit today."I'm fine—""No, you're not. Lory told me that you haven't been eating well and in time if not for Valerie forcing you to do so. Though your cousin is not with you most of the time, Avery." Dad said in a strict voice. "Look at your eyes, obviously you're not sleeping well. Do you want to get sick?"I boredly looked up to my dad, not caring about his lectures at all.
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Ready?" My father held my hand while looking outside of the window. We were the last one they called to come in here so I wouldn't be able to intervene with the official members of the council.From now on, to avoid making mistakes just like the last time from the past, there'll be a council meeting and to see who are the rogues that can be forgiven. The council was made to review and study the behaviors of the rogues who will come to me. It'll be led by the chosen leaders of every race by the Moon Goddess.Our job was simple to discuss, but hard to do. So everyone was preparing a lot. This is the only way we have to keep the peace and for the Moon Goddess's threats to not happen. If they were to harm me, they would all lose their abilities and start weakening. The first ones to agree were the vampires, as they were dead from the inside already and losing their abilities meant losing their life too. Next was the werewolves, especially that I came from their
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I clutched my head when I slowly opened my eyes after I woke up. I looked around me and saw Duke in the corner. He was eyeing me differently.I sat on the bed and roamed my eyes around me, realizing where I was, I faced Duke to ask a question when I suddenly remembered what happened.I bit my lower lip, I should've listened to Lory and stayed in my room. I should've just made Tricia go there and let Duke know that I want my dad inside."What time is it?" I asked in a small voice.Duke went to the table and he handed me water so I accepted it before he sat down beside me. His eyes never leave mine."It's dinner time." Duke simply said and took the water from me. "Now tell me who your real father is."I froze after hearing his direct answer. Duke didn't even stroll just to have the answer he's looking for.I avoided my eyes from his direction. "Can you let him come here, please?" "Not until you tell me the truth. Why does your uncle claim that he's your father?"