AVERY POVJumping for the umpteenth time as I glanced behind me to ensure I wasn't followed, I placed my hand on my pounding chest.I had snuck out of the house before it was morning. I couldn't agree with what my father had said about me staying behind while others took the glory.Although I knew he was only trying to protest me and didn't want me to end up like my mother had, it was unlikely that still wouldn't happen.I mean, she had been attacked in attacked in the pack house. She literally went nowhere, and yet, she died. What was the essence of me staying behind as well and not facing the same fate?I wasn't sorry one bit for sneaking out because if he had allowed me to go on my free will, there was no way I'd have done that.I breathed out, resting my back against a tree trunk. Slipping out my phone, I stared at it briefly. It was only 10 AM.My father would still be asleep. In fact, a lot of the pack members would be inside as well; only a few would be outside, tending to thei
AVERY POVI didn't move, nor did I stand from where I was. I wouldn't say I was embarrassed. Instead, I was stunned.I blinked several times, attempting to clear the haze in my eyes and ensure I was seeing things clearly.He looked so real. With his scent invading my nostrils as he leaned in, I sucked in a deep breath, biting my lower lip slowly.How could he look so good and deliciously sexy even after three years? His thick hair stuck in all directions as if the wind had been in it, but that didn't make him less handsome.He could as well be walking with his head shaved, and he'd be the hottest man anyone had ever seen.His chin had a few days old stubble, and my hands itched to caress it, to feel its texture. Perhaps it was the same way I remembered it.His mouth moved, but I could barely make out what he was saying.Because I was fucking ogling him as if he was a piece of pie I had left on the kitchen counter back in the pack house. I needed to stop.I shouldn't be staring at him
AVERY POVThis wasn't the element of surprise I had hoped and thought of. I had prayed earnestly to the goddess all through the night for a perfect journey, no reason to want to fight rogues and well, calling the artifact safely and returning to the pack house as soon as I could in one piece.But the opposite had happened. A fucking storm had pulled me here, and as it wasn't enough, Julian was here. Then, a barrier was stopping me from separating from them."Very amazing," I murmured, then rolled my eyes from the irony.I sighed, brushing my hair out of my face. Jack was right when he said people out there couldn't see us.Despite the discussion we were having, no one was paying attention. It felt as if we were in a world of our own.That should be good, right? Maybe.That could be only counted as good if I wasn't feeling the intense prick at the back of my neck hinting at another obstacle on the way.I groaned, halting. Grasping my knees, I took in a deep breath. I was exhausted. But
AVERY POVAs soon as I heard Jack's voice, I ran. I ran as though my life depended on it, even though I didn't know where exactly I was running.But I knew I needed to get away from that horror that was Julian.He wanted my blood. Why? It wasn't as if I could stay there to ask it the reason it was out seeking my blood, seeing the murderous intent in his eyes.I groaned, slamming into an invisible barrier. I breathed out, dashing towards a building. Trying to dodge Julian was hard, seeing as barriers covered everywhere, and we couldn't get out.But I guess this building would be of help. As soon as I stepped inside, I regretted it instantly.I heard Julian's voice calling out to me.I grimace, stepping into what seemed to be the bathroom of the building. The building itself appeared empty. I couldn't tell if the occupants had gone out to work or if this was how it was.But I could tell I wouldn't be surviving today. Julian was going to catch up with me, and in return, he would kill me.
AVERY POVIt was the end for me. I was sure of that. I was only twenty-seven years old. Barely have I seen or lived a good life.I was just starting to get used to belonging to a packed house and being a princess,, but now my life was going to get cut short.I was sure I was dead because Julian was still holding onto my neck, but then, how the hell was I breathing fine?"Avery," I heard Julian gasped out.My eyes snapped open, and I stared at Julian. He was still in front of me, but I wasn't in the position he had been holding me.I was sitting on the floor while he held his neck, crouching."Julian?" I whispered, my eyes widening as his gaze locked on me.His eyes were red, and I saw his canine began to protrude. His face was contorted in a grimace, and he staggered backward."Julian," I said, jumping to my feet despite myself. I was in so much pain. My neck fucking hurts, and my head was still reeling, but then, my concern at the moment was Julian.I didn't know why. It felt as thou
AVERY POVThe moment my lips touched Julian, all the senses in my head left me. It felt as though I was drugged and was suffering from the after effect.My body tingled all over, and I didn't want to stop. I fucking wanted more knowing how wrong this was.I couldn't understand the fact that I was enjoying this kiss when I desired to kill him some moment ago.My stupid body. Always acting otherwise.Julian pushed me into the door, one of his hand gripping my waist, while the other was at the back of my neck.His mouth closed over mine, taking over the kiss. His lips was just the way I remembered it. Warm, soft and oh well, tantalising.I moaned silently as he bit my lower lip, and I opened my mouth, allowing him to slip his tongue inside my mouth."Fuck Avery," Julian hissed, "I might as well fuck you right now."Despite how dirty his words were and how I'd have died, and crumbled to mine knees three years ago if he said that to me, it brought me back to the presence.Somehow I was gla
JULIAN POVI enjoyed the kiss. Fuck.Would it be weird if I admitted that at this moment? I was mated, but then the instant that Avery's sensuous full lips closed over mine, the thoughts of me being mated vanished away from my head. Every fucking thought of Emily waiting in the pack house for me.The fact that I wanted more and even desired to fuck her made it even weirder.I stared down at the dent in my pants. I was glad that no one had noticed. It had formed the moment Avery pressed her delicious body into mine.I wonder how I'd have been able to explain myself if she had noticed it. Perhaps I could say I was reacting to something. I believed that would be more reasonable than admitting she was the cause of it.As soon as we stepped out of the building, it vanished."T...that building," Avery gasped softly, her eyes widened as she pointed to where the small building had been.There was no sign of it there. It was as if no building had been there in the first place, and we had only
AVERY POVI was somewhat relieved that Jack was well because I didn't know what I'd have done if he was really possessed. Perhaps killing Julian would have been his main aim.At the same time, I didn't enjoy the fact that he had teased me. The fact that Julian was in on it made it even more infuriating."I don't don't think we'll be getting to our destination anytime soon. The journey seemed longer than usual, and we might need to rest to reserve our energy," Jack let out.I didn't respond to him, and neither did Julian. Although I didn't know precisely why Julian was quiet, I guessed he was lost in thought.Unlike me. I was mad at Jack.I continued to walk even as I heard them stopping. I didn't know where I was going, but then again, I couldn't stop walking."Avery," Jack called out, but I ignored his voice and walked even further.I stopped at what seemed to be a crossroads."Eeny, meeny, miny, moe," I whispered, and then I stopped at the left path."The opposite is it then," I sai
AVERY POVI knew it would come to this. The talk about the prophecy and using it against me. I knew all about the prophecy and what had been said because Eileen had told me all I needed to know. However, I wished they could have added why Julian had been a jerk to me.If the prophecy had been all that, why did the family treat me like dirt when they knew Julian and I were supposed to work together? Also, why had he allowed them to treat me in that manner?"And if I refuse to work together with him?" I asked her as if we were in a business together.Julian's mother shook her head. She rose to her feet, walked to the window side, and then returned to where she had been sitting.But she didn't sit. Instead, she stared at me."This isn't what you can agree on, Avery. It isn't a business transaction. You were in his life for a reason. I believe you were created for him—""Unbelievable," I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Of course, the goddess is that jobless to create me so I'd satisfy the urge
AVERY POVI was pregnant; I knew that. I felt the same way I felt while with Jason. Somehow, during our back and forth, plus Jason's disappearance, I had managed to allow Julian access to my body again.Of course, I know that was stupid, but then he was Julian. I couldn't resist him when it came to that.With my Aversion to food and everything happening, I had wanted to believe it was the flu and it would all go down until I took a pregnancy test.Well, Aisha was the only one who knew about that because she had bought the test and secret and I had told her to keep the result a secret.I didn't want anyone to know, not even Jack.I groaned, rising from the bed.My eyes wandered around the room and stayed on Julian's mother.Since her return, she had been trying her best to get closer to me. Even as I had tried to avoid her, I never let her not have access to Jason.She was Jason's grandmother, and despite how much I loathed her, there was nothing I could do about her. She was the cause
JULLIAN POVAvery was still out, and I hadn't received any feedback on her health yet. I was not currently in the pack house; otherwise, I'd have known how she was doing.But James still kept me updated, even though I did not trust he was in the same place as Avery. Since his arrival here, he had the habit of moving around with the girls. I wondered if he wasn't affected by the fact that we were currently without a packhouse or on the verge of being at war since Emily had decided to wage one at us.Or maybe he was trying not to make our current situation affect him by not thinking about it. My mother was another thing. I hadn't heard about her since we arrived here.She had indulged herself in activities around Jack's pack house. Jack didn't have a problem with her. In fact, he was the one who even recommended that she help out if she wanted to.Jack didn't have a problem with James, either. He only had a problem with me, and that was due to Avery.I frowned as we arrived at what seem
JULLIAN POVI paced from the bed where Avery was lying down to the window and returned to the bed again. I had been doing that since she became unconscious.The doctor who was supposed to check her was yet to be here, and I wondered what was taking him that long. I couldn't believe he didn't have a reserve doctor for emergencies for a packhouse as big as Jack's.I had wanted the ones available to at least look at what was happening to Avery, but they seemed inexperienced. They could only stabilize her and ensure she was still living.I groaned, pushing a hand through my hair, tugging."You need to sit; my eyes are starting to spin because of you," James said, rubbing his eyes."I never asked you to be here," I stated, glaring at him."Aren't you a ray of sunshine, big brother?" James replied sarcastically, and I glared at him.Avery was in my room at the moment, even though Jack had been against it. Despite the fact that he had told me I didn't have a say over his pack house, I still
AVERY POVI shouldn't have said that, and I couldn't take my words back. Jullian's eyes darkened. They stayed on mine for a brief second.He said nothing to me. He just watched me. I couldn't exactly say what he was staring at, but if the look could kill, I should be dead by now because it felt like he would strangle me if he had the chance to do so."You've been sleeping with my best friend?" It was a simple question, yet it sounded overly dangerous to him."What does it have to do with you?" I retorted, holding his gaze.Jullian snarled; he clutched my chin, tilting it towards his. I stood on the ball of my feet due to how he was pulling me and our height difference."It has every fucking thing to do with me, Avery. Are you trying to test my patience? Are you lying to me now, and do you want to see what I can do for you?" he asked me."Avery!" Jack interrupted me before I could speak.Fuck! Why the hell was he here? Jullian was furious and looking for someone to pass the aggression
AVERY POVMy heart thumped wildly in my chest as I gazed around the room. Jason wasn't here. Aisha had left with him.His absence made my anxiety even skyrocketed. I didn't want to be alone with Jullian, and I didn't even want to speak to him. But now that he was inside my room, I doubted I could do anything.The lock clicked, and I bit on my lower, avoiding his gaze."Avery," he said. His voice was gruff.I shook my head, not responding to him directly because what could I say? I had nothing to say to him!"Avery," he said again. I took a step backward, hoping he wouldn't come closer, but he did anyway.Turning to face him sharply, I glared. What does he want with me? That was the question that kept swirling in my mind. Had he not done enough? No, he was definitely enjoying tormenting me!He enjoyed seeing me in pain and he had come back to torment me even more."Glare at me all you want, but you should speak to me, Avery," He said.I sucked in a deep breath. Then stared at him, poin
AVERY POVI had always been prepared for the unexpected. I believed that was how my life was set out. The goddess had created me and deposited me in the middle of chaos, so I wasn't often fazed when it came to things happening in my life, except for when Jason was taken.This wasn't the unexpected I had wanted to happen or be expecting.Biting my lower lip, I stole a glance at Jack. I noticed he was staring at me, and I saw Jullian staring at him from the corner of my eyes.Aside from the chattering from James and his mother, the tension in the dining room was as thick as steel.I could feel it and wondered if the rest were feeling it. The food I often enjoyed was barely enjoyable due to the silent communication going on between Jack and Jullian.Swallowing, I set my fork on my plate, still filled with food, and stood to my feet.Jack and Jullian did the same.I started from Jack to Jullian and then back to Jack."I volunteered to be in the field. They are short of workers," I said."
JULLIAN POV"That isn't good on you, brother," James said as he stepped into the room.What was he doing here? I believed Jack's pack house was large enough to accommodate my mother, James, and me in different rooms.Also, Jack had not said anything about me sharing rooms, although I wouldn't object to it if I were asked to. This wasn't my pack house, so I shouldn't be choosing what I do in it and whatnot."Tea, coffee? Whichever," James said, setting the glass tray with him on the table.I frowned staring at the steam coming from the cup, before letting my eyes wander to James.He undid the rope on the robe he was wearing to reveal a plaid blue t-shirt, and then he sat on the sofa in the room's center and crossed his legs. Taking one of the cups, which I believed to be the tea's Cups, he took a sip of the steaming liquid before wincing."Fuck, that's hot," He hissed. "I told that little shit to make it fit for drinking.""She probably did that to bring this shitty reaction from you,"
JULLIAN POVWhile coming here, I had prepared my mind for what I would see exactly but didn't think I prepared enough.I thought I didn't care about Avery. At least, I made myself believe that I didn't and wouldn't bat a lash where she was involved.But what was this weird feeling that kept surging into him? Also, her nearness, her scent. It had ignited all that I didn't want to feel anymore.Of course, my thoughts were also to be mad at her. She had escaped with my best friend, and only the goddess knew what they had been doing together. I wanted to demand she say everything that had happened between them, but I knew I wasn't in the proper position to do so as I had awfully failed her."My dear friend," Jack said, causing my attention to leave Avery.I searched his face. It was void of humor. Somehow, I could read every of the damned expression on his face.I saw fear, and another time, I saw anger. Then, I saw determination as well and fear again."To what pleasure do I owe you a vi