Avery Elise's P. O. V.Time flies by, it feels like a snap to me. I started feeling nervous while going back and forth to my room. I have done all the instructions for Lory to do while I'm away and had already spoken to the organizer in a short time, though I made sure that everything will be well-detailed.Least I want to happen is to have a mistake at that party. I looked at the door's direction when I heard someone knock. I feel like my heart skips a bit, thinking that it could be Duke to inform us that we're going, but when I opened the door and saw Lory, relief was evident in my face.Lory saw that too because she gave me a confused look in her eyes, "Is there a problem, Luna Queen?"I looked behind her and realized that she was alone. With that in mind, I grab Lory to her wrist before I pulled her inside my room in a hurry. "Thank goodness, you're here, Lory!" I exclaimed before I locked the door and went to the edge of my bed. I sat down to look at her direction. Lory looked
Avery Elise's P. O. V.It's been a long ride. I didn't even notice that I fell asleep in my husband's arms while he was driving. I just realized that when I felt a hand caressing my face gently to wake me up. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who it was until I saw Duke looking at me and holding me to his arm.“Hey,” he whispered while looking straight into my eyes.I felt something light inside me as if touching that soft spot in my heart that I had been hiding from my harsh reality because of how good it was to wake up in my husband’s presence. How many times did this even happen again? It feels strange yet too comforting.I closed my eyes and clung to him even more. I felt when Duke’s shoulders moved after he silently chuckled before he wrapped both of his arms around me and he placed a kiss on my shoulder.“I’m sorry to wake you up, wife.” His hand moved to the back of my head and I felt him playing with my hair. “We’re here.”I made an irritated m*an, not wanting to be disturbed in
Avery Elise’s P. O. V.I stayed silent and just watched my husband talk to his men before they left and he started maneuvering the yacht on his own. I was impressed that he can actually do that, but my compliments were left in my mind. I don’t want to say anything more that can anger Duke again.The cold wind brushes against my skin so I needed to hug myself when I felt my body shaking. I went to the side to lessen the coldness I was feeling as I lowered my head. When the yacht stopped moving and it stayed in the middle of the ocean, I heard Duke walking towards me. I was afraid that looking back at him could make him mad so I stayed still even though his presence scares me.“Avery.” I heard him call my name while standing a few steps away from me yet I can feel his sharp gaze on me.He called me by my name. Not baby, wife, or his luna. And it only means that he hates me right now and I don’t even know what I did wrong exactly! I slowly looked up at him with fear in my eyes and I wat
Avery Elise's P. O. V. My hands went to the back of his head before I took a handful of his hair when I felt his tongue, licking the side of my neck with its tip. Duke pulled me up the bed to lay down on the pillow and I used my arms to move my body as well. His hands started caressing the sides of my body. He stopped kissing me so we could look into each other's eyes. "Tell me to stop now if you're still not ready for this," his face was serious yet his voice was low and comforting, as if telling me that whatever my decision would be is okay for him. Is he serious? We both know what kind of responsibility we have to do in this marriage and carrying a child is on our top priority right now. So, why would Duke ask me about my opinion for this consummation? Is this really Duke Myers, the feared Lycan King and the head of the Myers Mafia? Because looking at him right now after hearing that question of him makes me think that he's a different person. And only if my heart wasn't react
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Duke?" I looked around me to search for my husband but because of how dark the forest is, I can't see him anywhere. "Duke, where are you?"It really is not a good idea to go with him to hunt tonight. Look now, just because he knew that I can't shift with my throbbing lower body, he has decided to run on his own, leaving me walking behind him! I can still remember how he didn't want me to walk earlier and yet he left me now that we're here and he saw that I can walk already!Where is he now? I stopped walking while still looking around me. My irritation is slowly having the goodness out of me, but I tried my best to remain calm and patient. I still don't feel good. Why did my husband even bring me here at this hour?We really should've stayed inside the mansion. I released a deep breath. I didn't even know that we're going to this place as I assumed that Duke and I would stay in the yacht the whole night, but of course, he has a different plan and I only learned
Avery Elise's P. O. V.None of us speak again, as if we're both waiting for each other to say something. I was actually waiting for him to take back what he said, I mean, he just said that we'll be staying here for a while and we even left someone else to do some of our jobs and yet, he's telling me now that we need to go back.It's work, I guess… So, we really need to go back. I can't question him for that or beg him to stay here and ignore his job. I secretly took a deep breath while feeling a disappointment inside me. Huh… Why would I even feel that? I should be understanding.I picked up the fork before I silently started slicing the pancake in my plate, "Okay." I looked back at him while chewing my food. "Are we leaving now?"Duke looked at me with no emotion in his face. He was obviously trying to read me, but of course, I would never let him see that disappointment I'm feeling inside me. I didn't try to smile at him as my smile can fade and he might have caught me with the trut
Avery Elise's P. O. V.I abruptly stood up from sitting on the couch when I heard a car coming. Lory was surprised because of the sudden movement that I did, but didn't say anything to stop me. She only stood there and guided me. The doors opened and two men came in to clear the way. I stood near the entrance until I saw Duke walking in the house. He looked really tired and drained but he still has that serious and cold looking face as he looks at his surroundings. And when he turned in front of him, he stopped walking with his face getting more serious every passing second.It didn't take him long and he started walking towards me again. "It's still early. Why did you wake up so early?" His voice was deep and I could even sense something I can't name when he finally reached me, and it made me slowly weak."A-Ah… I—" "You should've stayed in bed!" I was taken aback when he suddenly snapped at me before he clicked his tongue. "Lory.""Yes, Lycan King?" Lory attentively answered back
Avery Elise's P. O. V.While holding my nape, I slowly stretched my neck to the side when I heard the sound of an oncoming car. I opened my eyes and saw that it wasn't alone, there were two cars following behind my husband's car.I'm actually surprised that Duke is here today after he didn't come home for the whole three days straight. If I'd be honest, I could say that I somehow felt sullen after he went and didn't inform me where he would be to do his job.I sat down and didn't approach Duke when he got out of the car while wearing his usual serious and dark face. From where I'm sitting, I can sense the anger building inside him. Something probably happened again to anger him that much.None of them glanced at my direction so I believed that they didn't see me, but when Duke stopped in front of the door and he suddenly glanced at my direction, I almost jumped out of my seat in surprise. Good thing, I managed to calm myself even after my heart beat faster than it did earlier.He rais
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?"