~Avia
Releasing a long, slow breath, I relax back into my pillow.
I've spent the better part of this morning following Isaiah and a few of his guests around. They were from outside of the Pack, so I was used to making Isaiah feel more approachable, more friendly and trustworthy. How well it worked, I'm not sure, but it felt strange trying to aid him and his reputation when in reality, I want this entire place to burn down around him.
The sound of footsteps from down the hall rouse my attention, my eyes drifting up from my book. I've been enjoying lounging in the afternoon sunlight that cascades through my windows, and now it's about to be interrupted.
~AviaYawing, I settle into bed. Finally.I've only just returned from the compound. Visiting there so late has been weighing on me, but it's not like I have much of a choice. At some point I have to relay all the information I've garnered from being here to them, and this hour is the only possible one.Just as I turn my lamp off and my eyes flutter closed, the sound of footsteps out in the hallway rouse me. I don't remember anyone mentioning they would be up at this hour, and all the staff should be asleep.As I sit up, wary of the commotion, the door t
~AviaI sit on the edge of the bed, examining Isaiah with a cautious eye.It's the first time I've been in his room, and not exactly in the circumstances I would have presumed before I started this mission. We all stood silently in his room while he showered, neither me, Zire nor Elise having anything to say to one another. All the while, I kept my eyes trained out the expansive window and at the sunrise.Where all the time has gone, I have no idea.Once Isaiah stepped from the shower, no more than a white towel draped around his hips, it became clear th
~AviaI stare out at the crowd of people, hating the way they stare back at me.Isaiah stands at the front of the stage with his father, addressing the crowd. Something about a new development involving some disputed land. I suppose it's no longer disputed, which can only mean one thing...Isaiah or his father sent orders to their people to bust through the land and destroy everything there and displace the occupants in order to build other things that suit them."I hate these kinds of things," Mari mutters from beside me.All the girls have joined us for
~AviaI'm not sure how I've managed to convince Zire to take me into the family's private library, I'm just grateful he is upholding his end of the deal.I'm sure if I had asked Isaiah, he would have allowed me in here, but I'm not ready to arise any ounce of suspicion, especially when Kit is around. So now I sit, with Zire opposite me, flipping through his own book. I've searched throughout for history one the Alpha family, hoping to make myself seem more like a Noble's daughter over conversation at dinners.Even if being around Kit makes me sick."Do y
~AviaMalin stands in front of me, arms crossed over her chest."Absolutely not.""Malin...""It's too late in the game to be bringing in someone from inside Isaiah's home into the rebellion," she exclaims. Everyone else in the room, sitting at the table, doesn't say anything, knowing not to intervene when Malin and I are arguing. I came back here thinking she would be glad someone from inside Isaiah's estate would want to join our rebellion.I collapse int
~AviaFor the rest of the night, I couldn't sleep, and the next day, I avoided Isaiah until evening hit.Finally, I rise from where I've been curled up under the sheets, head crammed full of contradicting thoughts, the twisting feeling in my stomach not releasing it's tight hold. Through it all, I've devised a plan.I'm going to speak to Isaiah. What I'm feeling isn't real. He's an attractive man, whose way with words and brutal honesty shook me to the core. I'm not going to let myself mistake that for feelings for him...I'm in love with Kadrick, and the rebellion. Not the Alpha.
~AviaI can't believe I've had the courage to do this.Writing the invitations this morning was like walking through mud, forcing out pleasant terms in hopes of luring my least favourite members into a luncheon with me. It just so happens that they may have the information I need about Isaiah.But I truly, deeply do not like Elise, or Mari.For once, it's less so about their position in regards to Isaiah, and more so the attitudes they have had since I first met them.
~AviaI'm nearly asleep. Nearly.My curtains rustle in the night breeze. It's cool, the blanket's wrapped around me as I watch the way the fabric undulates, thinking. I should have gone to the compound, but I couldn't drag myself rom the bed, couldn't force clothes over my limbs. Most of all, I can't face Kadrick, or Malin. And even I changed my mind, it's far too late now. Easily past midnight.I'm not sure what compels me, but I stand, deciding laying in that bed, staring at the moving curtain any longer is going to make me lose my mind.
~AviaI hold Isaiah's hand tightly, looking at him as he looks at the house that reportedly held his mother in the duration of Isaiah's reign as Alpha.Over the past month, while transferring power, we have sent her letters, asking her if she wanted to return to the estate, but she refused. So now, we have come to where she has made herself a home, on the edge of the Passion Pack.Isaiah is anxious to see her again. It's been years since Kit forbid him from seeing her until he proved himself as Alpha.And now I get to watch them being reunited."Are you nervous?" I ask softly. Isaiah nods, swallowing tightly as he stares at the front door, which we are yet to approach. He's taking his time, drinking in the sight of his mother's home, which she is unwillingly to part with. I can't blame her. It's beautiful out here.Isaiah sighs. "More then I would like to admit.""When did she leave?" I ask gently. Making him repeat the story will make him remember who much he wants this. He's convinc
~AviaIsaiah's fingers press gently into my jaw, turning my head around so he can examine my face.Kit's hit has left a mark, which I've thankfully covered with makeup, although by the seething anger simmering in Isaiah's gaze, some of it is still visible. It's not good, considering it's Tai's wedding day to Elise, and important people will be present. But by the end of the ceremony, it won't matter."I'm going to kill him," Isaiah growls softly.He looks handsome, dressed up as he is, looking the part he is meant to play. Today, it doesn't hurt to see him like this, knowing we are going to escape this life, that he is mine completely, and soon, him and I can be together with no interruption."Me too," I sigh, fighting the urge to touch the tender flesh of my cheek. It only stoke my anger, my desire for revenge that I will be granted today."I can't believe he would hit you." He shakes his head, dark brows furrow."It won't matter after today, right?" I say lightly, trying to remind o
~AviaThe cool of the night does nothing to soothe my anger as I stride outside, wondering if I should run into the forest and never come back.I hate her. I truly hate her.Footsteps sound from behind me, and when I turn to look over my shoulder, I'm relieved to see it's Isaiah approaching, and not Malin. "Hey...hey, Avia, are you okay?""I'm done. I hate her," I tell him. I don't even think I can look at her again, let alone continue with the rebellion. It's not worth it anymore, if Malin is doing this. I should have backed away the moment she took my leadership position away from me, but Isaiah being involved encouraged me to stay and see this through.He envelopes me in a hug, pressing me against him. "It's okay...""No, it's not okay. She killed Kenna," I tell him, as if he truly ever knew who Kenna was. How could anyone take a life like that? I should have freed her much sooner...I should have saved her when I first started having doubts."She shouldn't have done that, I know th
~AviaRebellion meetings like this are risky.With Kit staying at the estate, he notices absences far more. So we have been sneaking out together in the middle of the night. It's exciting, doing this behind Kit's back with Isaiah. I'm beyond happy that I know longer have to keep this from him.Elise and I haven't spoken since she demoted me. The only reason I want to stay is because of Isaiah, otherwise I think I would have left by now. She went behind my back. I don't think I'll ever trust her again.But I've decided I like Kae. She is decisive and honest.Malin may be the former, but she most definitely is not the latter."It's our time to move soon. Kit may not be around for long, so we need a solid plan," Kae tells the group, steam from her coffee wafting up around her face. Everyone is overwhelmed by Kit's visit, knowing now is the time to make our move."I want to kill him. I'm going to kill him," Isaiah says. Everyone is still, knowing what it must take for a son to want to kil
*Mature Content Warning - Read At Your Own Discretion!*~AviaKit arrived a few days later, much to the dismay of everyone in the manor.Mercifully, I haven't seen him all day, keeping to myself. However, dinner time has come around, and I've been summoned to the dining room. I wish I didn't have to see him until the moment I can kill him, but Isaiah wants to announce me as his mistress so his father won't speculate about any affection we show toward each other.Striding into the dining room, I take my seat next to Isaiah, opposite Kit. Cherry and Zire are here, but Elise has finally departed home for a short period of time before the wedding."Kit, it's good to see you," I muse, forcing a tight smile upon my lips."You too Kenna. How is your father?" He asks, brazenly looking over me. I can feel Isaiah stiffen watching his father, but I quickly nudge his leg with my foot under the table, not wanting him to reveal his anger right now.I summon a calm breath. "Doing well.""Really? I h
~AviaWe sit at the table the next morning, silently eating our breakfast."You all okay? You seem tired," Cherry notes, looking at each of us in turn.Considering everything that is going on, Elise has made some kind of excuse to stay. Now we are all here at once, all in the rebellion and eager to deal with Kit. Cherry has no idea though, which Zire insisted continues. It's not that we think she will talk to anyone about it, we all just agreed that we didn't want her to have to harbour this secret."Hardly slept," Isaiah mutters, glancing up at me over the rim of his coffee cup. We got back late last night, and although part of me was tempted to spend the last few hours before dawn in Isaiah's room, I remembered the role I have to play here.And it's not as Isaiah's mate.Elise leans back in her seat, peeling away at her fruit. "Me neither.""I was...reading," Zire says, frowning down at his plate, avoiding Cherry's eyes. So much for the expert liar. When it comes to Cherry, he has n
~AviaI find Isaiah standing outside the compound, staring off into the small woods that flank it.He wears the shadows like a cloak, not looking my way as I approach. My heart pounds wildly, stomach fluttering. I'm frightened he will tell me he won't forgive me, that he doesn't want anything to do with me.But I'm also frightened he will tell me he does want to be with me, and everything will go back to being complicated.He continues to stare straight ahead into the darkness as I lean my back against the wall of the building next him. "I don't even know your name.""It's Avia," I whisper."Avia," he mouths, testing my name out on his lips.I've become so accustomed to hearing him call me Kenna that my stomach flips hearing my true name. I never thought we would get to this part, where he knew my name before his reign as Alpha has been taken down. But it feels right, as if the last puzzle piece has been slotted in to confirm we truly are mates, because the feeling that overcomes me h
~AviaI've never felt such horror.This is a trap, we've been caught. Zire told Isaiah who I truly am, and now they have infiltrated the rebellion, and I'm going to go to prison for a very long time. I feel like screaming, hyperventilating or even fainting. Anything to distract myself from the terrifying reality that my life is truly ending."What is going on?" I ask quietly, looking at everyone's shocked expressions in turn. None of them look angry, surprisingly, but it appears as though they didn't expect to see me here. Maybe this isn't a plot against me.Isaiah steps forward, all the warmth in his emerald eyes that I've become familiar with has leeched out, leaving an iciness in it's wake. "That is a great question."Malin grasps my arm, looking as panicked as I feel."We need to get out of here, Avia. We have been caught," Malin exclaims, backing toward the door. This is the first time I've seen her not in control of a situation, taken aback by the last people we expected to see
~AviaTears stream down my face as I drive, aiming for the city.I can't go back, not now. The mission is over, and I failed. All I can do now is hope Malin will take me back into the Rebellion, otherwise I'm going to have to create a life elsewhere. It hurts to think about leaving Isaiah, never seeing him again, but I can't risk him forcing me to stay with him, to be with him when I want nothing to do with leading this Pack.Eventually I make it into the city, my tears drying as a sense of responsibility drapes over me. I've known I wouldn't be able to make this work for a while, so this shouldn't have come as a surprise.I just wish I didn't allow myself to be so weak in that moment...I shouldn't have let him kiss me.Once I've made it deep into the city, I park and change quickly into clothing in the back of my car. I need to get some sleep, in this quiet parking lot, with what remaining hours of night time are left, and then head to the compound in the morning.I wake a few hours