Avery Elise's P. O. V."D-Duke, no!" I quickly stop him in his arm before he can even stop the car. "What if they hurt you?"Instead of listening to me, Duke stared at me like how he would stare at the weirdest thing in this lifetime. Until it sinks to me what I just said, but I'm not taking it back. He can't blame me for stopping him, I'm worried here while he… Yeah, this is normal to him.I slowly let go of Duke until he stopped the car in the road. There's no one else around us, probably because we're almost in the forest and the highway's fifteen minutes away from here.Maybe it's a good spot for him, but for me… It intensifies my fear!I was literally catching my breath when Duke pulled out a g*n before he removed his seatbelt to face me. He probably noticed my reaction when his eyes stayed on me for a while before he took something from the back seat.It was a small pillow. I don't know why Duke has that, but it should be on my least priority right now. He handed it to me and I
Avery Elise's P. O. V."Here." I looked up to the woman who's about my age as well and smiled at me as she handed me over the glass of water that she was holding. "Grab a drink. Your lips are too dry."I nodded at her before I slowly accepted the glass in her hand. "Thank you."She smiled widely at me before she stepped away. While drinking the water she gave me, I was silently roaming my eyes around me. Why do I always wake up from a strange place?I took a deep breath while giving back the glass to her. I don't know who this woman is, but I'm certain that we're already on our destination. "You're not a Lycan," I suddenly said to that woman while looking out of the window. I noticed when she froze after hearing my emotionless voice. "Yet you can enter the territory of the Forest Pack." I looked back at her and found the worry in her eyes. "Who are you?"I swear that I sensed the fear in her eyes and for a moment, I even thought that she would collapse while looking at me and the smi
Avery Elise's P. O. V.We were all sitting in front of each other while that woman who introduced herself as a part of the Oracle was standing in the corner and bowing her head down.If I am to judge, I do can sense that she's a good person. A simple woman who looks fond in books than men or any kind of disturbance. A natural aura and vibe that an Oracle can have."Lycan Queen, before anything else, I'd like to introduce myself." I looked at the Alpha of the Forest Pack after hearing his voice.I nodded at him, a signal for him to go on and I am listening. He was fast to catch what I meant as he bowed his head at me."I am Alpha Waylon of Forest Pack." He held his mate's hand. "And this is my mate, Luna Karen."They both still look young. Maybe they're only five years older than me and Duke, but the respect they're giving us is much more than our age difference."It's our pleasure to meet you, Lycan Queen!" Karen greeted me with a huge smile on her face.When I first heard about her,
Avery Elise's P. O. V.Beta Koby stepped out of the car with Omega Jin and Omega Kael. They were looking so serious when they walked towards us. I took a deep breath, preventing myself from feeling pity for Giselle. I do understand Duke's reason to take Giselle with us and be imprisoned. However, I also understand that Giselle kept everything she knew for it was the best at the time, not until Lycans suffered to it.Giselle was the reason why Alpha Waylon and Luna Karen called us here, because she can't go out and they can't risk her safety, especially that she holds an information about... me.When Giselle told us everything, even the secret she kept for a long time, I knew right there and then that something problematic would soon happen. The vampires are plotting against all races with the Oracles they're working with. And they knew that we're coming for them. They're also aware that a new Guardian is coming, which happens to be me. But because of the protection that Giselle mad
Avery Elise's P. O. V.It didn't take long for me to realize how my life could be more miserable when I was younger. In fact, everyone around me had already slapped that fact to me. From my father, half-sister, step-mother, and the other people who despise me. I accepted that. I complied with everything they told me to do. I never complained once. Not even if they beat me up as punishment for every mistake they think I did.I would be lying if I say that despite all that pain, I never dare to do something to myself to end the agonizing pain they gave me, because the truth is, I did. I have done it countless times already. And no one knows. No one noticed and no one cared to ask.I can't tell if I should be thankful that despite everything I did, I still managed to survive or should I regret being able to live and face these new problems that I have in front of me. It's ridiculous, really. Problems after problems. They really won't let me be at peace even for a while. When will this cy
Avery Elise's P. O. V.In the middle of the night, I'm still awake and looking outside of my room, watching the full moon be slowly surrounded by the stars as the clouds move past them."Luna Queen?" I heard someone knocking from the door.It's not hard to tell who it was as I had been used to hearing her calling me whenever something's up. I stood up before I walked towards the door to open it for Lory after I locked it earlier."Luna Queen." She bowed her head at me."Yes, Lory?" I didn't widely open the door for her to know that I don't want anyone inside as I want to be alone.Lory looked at the knob when I pulled it closer to me before she met my eyes again."Lycan King is in the poolside with the pack. They're calling for you, Luna Queen." Lory slowly said, even watching my reaction to her words.I nodded before I went out of the room and closed the door behind me."Do you know why they are calling for me?" I asked her as we started walking in the hallway."They have this tradit
Avery Elise's P. O. V."You're good now?" I heard Duke asking me after a long silence between us as we had breakfast on the veranda of my room.I thought he wouldn't ask me anymore since he was quiet after putting me back to bed and he asked Lory to bring us our breakfast here.I looked at him after putting down my fork. "Yeah, I think so…"Honestly, I don't know. I can't tell if I'm okay now. My fear because of my father's call is still there, lingering in my chest and at the top of my mind, sending me warnings, enough for me to be scared and nervous. Just like before… like how it always happens.I developed this kind of response since I received a call from my father before and I received a beating from him as well. And ever since it happened, it continuously happened almost everyday for a whole two years before. A call from dad and the next thing I know, I'm in the basement and receiving punishments from him."What happened there?" I don't know if I should hide my true feelings fro
Avery Elise's P. O. V.Duke was caressing my hair as we lay down to bed and I'm resting in his chest. I can feel the cold temperature coming from the aircon, but Duke's warmth was enough for me to not feel it much."Duke?" I looked up to him."Hmm?""What time are we going?" Funny how I am asking him that when I myself is closing my eyes to sleep.He can't blame me. I felt so tired and exhausted from what we did almost the whole day. He was too fast to recover, though we mostly did the kissing more than 'that'."I thought you're tired?" Duke closed his eyes when he told me the same reason why I asked him to stop.I smiled and bit my lower lip, "I am.""Then, rest. We're not going, anymore." I quickly sat on the bed after hearing what he said.Nervousness and fear elope in my face. I'm sure of that. Because Duke's face darkened when he opened his eyes and saw my reaction."No, Duke! We have to go." I told him before I got up while covering my robe around my body.When I turned around t
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?"