Avery Elise’s P. O. V.Since I slept earlier than Duke last night, I made sure to wake up the same time he did. When Duke went out of the bathroom, it was the same time I got up the bed. My cheeks were blushing to see his well-built body and only being covered by the small towel around his waist.When Duke noticed me staring at him, the side of his lips slowly tugged up before he started walking towards me. I tried to avoid my eyes at him before I sat straight on the edge of the bed, pretending not to be affected by his presence.“Did you sleep well, My Luna?” Duke’s bedroom voice sounded gentle in my ears, but his touches would always be my favorite.Duke’s hand reached out to me before he fixed the sides of my hair and his hand went to caress my cheek and he held me on my chin. I gulped twice while looking at his deep eyes.“I-I did,” I cleared my throat when I stuttered and Duke’s face hardened, not liking the way I spoke to him. “How about you? You wake up early. Did you get enoug
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Avery," I glanced at Morgan after hearing her voice. Her eyes sharpened even more while looking straight at me. "Let go of Duke. He had more important business to do than to have a meal with you. Don't you get that?"She might be smiling at me, but it was too obvious that she was already gritting her teeth. I chewed on my lips before looking at Duke. His face was void when he slowly turned his body while looking at me.I looked at his hand when I saw him reaching for mine before he removed it from his arm. It was only a single move, but I feel like Duke would reject my offer to do his work instead. I know that I should understand him if that's what he'll choose to do, but I still can't stop feeling this aching pain in my chest.And the worst feeling is I need to contain it all inside me because showing it to everyone would make them think lowly and immature of me. That is not how a Lycan Queen should be in everyone's eyes and if I let my emotion slip, not only
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I felt someone tapping my shoulder, it wasn't enough to hurt me, but I did wake up after feeling it. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who that person was. It was Lory and she was looking at me with worry in her eyes."Luna Queen," she called before she stood straight in front of me."Y-Yeah?" I rubbed my eyes before I slowly looked at her again after roaming my eyes on my table.First thing I noticed, my table was already clean up and the papers were gone. Even the boxes are in the side and all closed now. I creased my forehead in confusion while looking at Lory who's smiling at me now."What happened here?" I asked before I glanced at my table again."I set everything aside before waking you up, Luna Queen," Lory said while still eyeing me. "You told me to buy the ingredients for what you're going to cook, but you were so busy and I couldn't disturb you. I didn't get the chance to ask you until I found you sleeping.""O-Oh, yes," I hurriedly looked around me aga
Avery Elise's P. O. V."How come she can come in here just for the reason of visiting her sister?" That was supposed to be just a question for myself, but I think my mouth speaks for me and it made Lory stop while looking straight at me."The former Lycan Queen always favored Tiffany, Luna Queen. Whatever will make her happy and comfortable, Madame Morgan would always go and give it to Tiffany," Lory poured another juice in my glass.Yeah, what she said was no question. Even I managed to realize and see that ever since I first faced Tiffany with Morgan. For Morgan, Tiffany should be pleased by everyone as to how much Tiffany pleases her in any way the latter can give. And she's also the only rightful one she sees for her son, Duke.I wonder what Tiffany did to be in Morgan's favorite spot. And how come it reaches to the point that Morgan only sees Tiffany to be the next rightful Lycan Queen and not anyone else who could look and do better than Tiffany?If Valerie is the one who's in
Avery Elise’s P. O. V.“Done?” I asked the moment Duke reached me.He nodded before I saw him glancing in the table’s direction. His eyes became more emotionless after he saw the maids walking with the tray of food in their hands.“You didn’t eat?” Duke’s voice was full of coldness when he asked me.“Can’t blame me. I lost my appetite,” I heaved a deep sigh before I turned my back to him. “When are we leaving?”I started walking back inside. I know that Duke and Lory are both following behind me and when we’re finally inside and in the hallway, I felt when Duke caged me to his arm before he pulled me closer to him. I looked at him with shock in my eyes at what he suddenly did. “Duke!” I exclaimed with my hands holding onto his arms. “You could’ve called for me!”Duke was clenching his jaw as he gazed at me before he turned to Lory.“Tell Koby to get the car. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes,” Duke ordered before he started walking away.And because I was with him, Duke managed to pul
Avery Elise's P. O. V.On the way to where we're going, I saw when we entered a way which brought us into the forest. I wasn't expecting that, because when Chairman Myers said that we need to attend here, I thought of attending a business meeting in the city, like how my father always does before.While looking out the window, I felt when Duke placed his hand on my tight and he started caressing me. I didn't look at him nor say anything, he was busy on his pad anyway. I silently released a deep sigh, realizing how busy Duke can really be.This is just the beginning though, I'll experience more of this the longer I stay as his wife. And maybe in the future, I'll get used to it. But why do I have a feeling of not wanting to get used to the fact that my husband can't spare me his time, even just a moment in a day? I felt a tingling pain in my chest even though my brain really understands the situation well.When the car stopped in front of a double story house in the middle of the forest
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Tell me, dear." Handed me a cup of tea while smiling sweetly.Her face screams gentleness and curiosity, but I can tell that there is more that she's hiding inside her. I've seen many people like her, hiding behind their masks for their own benefits. I remember my step-mother informing Valerie to not fall from that kind of trap before, and although she didn't care to inform me with the same thing, I still mark it in my mind while feeling jealous of my half-sister that she has a mother to inform her what she should know."Hmm?" I hummed while taking a sip on my tea and looking at her. "I like this tea.""That's good to know!" She happily exclaimed before her face slowly became serious. "But how long have you been married to Mr. Myers?"And my job begins…."Just recently," I shrugged my shoulders to her. "What about you, Alicia?" She looked surprised that I'm asking her. Good. That's the plan, anyways. I must be the one to gain more and not my competitors."What
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Y-You should go out now, Duke." I said after a moment of silence between us. I looked back at his direction and found him lost with his own thoughts. He looked bothered about something that I can't guest. When he turned his head to my direction, he slowly nodded at me and without saying anything, he left the car with Omega Jin beside him as they approached Beta Koby's direction.I released a deep breath before resting myself in my seat. I crossed my legs and just waited for them. My original plan was to only sleep for a while as it's already late, but when I looked outside the window and saw Duke ch*king one of the rogue vampires, I suddenly had a feeling of not wanting what he was doing to him. I…. hate it. And I don't know why.Before I could even think of anything else, I already found myself rushly opening the door to my side before I started walking towards them in a hurry.The rogue vampire's face looked calm and not affected at all, but his neck… it lo
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?"