AVERY POV"This is wrong," I whispered as Julian led me towards the bed. "You are mated."What would Emily say if she got to find out this happened? I knew she wouldn't do anything to Julian. Her vendetta would be against me as it always had been.What would Jack say? He was only a few distance away from us. He could even be hearing all the things that were happening.I didn't think this room was soundproof, seeing as I could hear everything going on the outside."This moment is about us," Julian murmured."What about your mate?" I asked again as he pushed me onto the bed, parting my legs, which I allowed him access."She'll live," Julian shrugged.There was something about his expression I couldn't quite place my finger on. Since the name Emily was mentioned, it almost was as if he didn't like it whenever her name came up. As if he would rather hear something other than her name.I didn't know what had changed, but three years ago, I could swear it was the only thing he had ever spok
AVERY POVThe storm from last night had destroyed a significant part of some buildings, like the roofs, the side, and even the garden. Floods covered one-third of the environment, but it was barely close to us.I guess it was because of the barrier that was separating us from the outside world, which I was glad about. I couldn't imagine myself in the situation some of the household would be in. I feel sorry for them."That's not true!" I glared at Jack. "You lost again."We were currently playing Rock paper scissors. Jack was a cheat. Whenever he said the last word, and I put out my hand, he'd quickly change his to be the opposite of what I was putting out.Of course, it was my third time calling him a cheat, but he didn't seem to care."I did that before you," Jack said."I'm playing no more," I folded my arms in front of me, walking away."I'm glad you accepted defeat," Jack grinned, and I turned to him, glaring and rolling my eyes.I walked away from him towards Julian, but I made
JULIAN POVAvery was mad at me. But was I wrong to be concerned about her wellbeing? I didn't think so.She had been running and even jogging with her lace undone. I had imagined a scenario in which she had stepped on the lace and fell face flat on the ground, damaging her face forever.I guess I could live with her anger rather than have her damage herself permanently.Besides, I noticed the anger, mainly when her father talked about it.I didn't know who the father was, and she hadn't mentioned him either. I wondered if he was a big shot Alpha werewolf because, from her words, no ordinary werewolf would despatch a warrior in search of their daughter.They would and could only hope for the best."You fucked up," Jack said.I shrugged, "She'll survive," I stared as she continued marching towards only where the goddess knew.She'd stopped briefly, maybe for us to catch up with her, and then she'd continued walking again while maintaining a considerable distance between us."She's also
AVERY POVWe were at the Thames. Believe it or not. The journey here was relatively smooth, although I doubted anything weird wouldn't happen in a few seconds.Judging by Julian's watchful eyes and the frown that currently formed on his face, I knew trouble was brewing.I was by the riverbank, and the Thames stretched out before me like a shimmering ribbon of silver and grey.The city's him of activity receded into the background, replaced by the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. Even though I hadn't heard much noise on our way here, I guessed it had everything to do with the barrier. As far as I could tell, the Riverside wasn't always this quiet.Tilting my head backward, I breathed in the damp air, scented with the sweet hint of river weed and the distant tang of salt.My gaze flickered upward while I parted the hair covering a side of my face. I squinted as the glare from the sun filtered into my eyes.I shivered as I stared away from the sun at the river's tranquil su
AVERY POVIn my life, I had never fought this much.With the sun beating down on my back, the sound of wicked arrows zipping past my ears, and the grunt from Julian and Jack while they twisted, broke, and punched at the attacker, it was quickly the most exciting thing I had ever experienced.Of course, the golden fleece pack house had been invaded before, and I had fought alongside everyone to keep the pack house from being taken over, but this was a different feeling entirely.Back then, I felt useless and pleased when my father praised me, like the other fighters. They had commended my fighting skills and even offered to train me more if I'd accept.I was for my life and pry worth to Julian and Jack."You are doing great, Avery!" Jack exclaimed as I dodged an incoming blow.I folded my hand into a fist and slammed it at the back of the attacker. A wince escaped me, and I glared as the attacker turned."I am wearing steel bitch," he growled and sprinted towards me."Well, I have a re
AVERY POVWe arrived at what seemed to be the heart of the cave, and oh boy, it wasn't anything like I had seen before in my life.There was a small water body in the center and a tall statue of a woman with a shawl barely covering her body. Her full, luscious breasts were on display with the nipples pointed.If it were to be a living being, I'd have said her nipples were being touched and teased, but then it wasn't. Her lower body showed her flat stomach; luckily, the shawl was lazily wrapped around her waist. But then, it at least, covered my butt and her vagina.Her ankles had anklets circling them with a variety of charms in them.Gazing up, I stared at her face. She was quickly the most beautiful thing I had ever laid my eyes on. I couldn't tell who she was, but she seemed to be an essential person.On her right hand was a torch of blazing fire, and on her left hand were snakes."That's the goddess Hecate," Julian murmured. "We seemed to be in a cave filled with witches."How'd h
AVERY POVI had thought Julian touching me was the only thing that could take my breath away, but this woman did without even trying.She was elegant, tall, and voluptuous, something I hadn't seen in many women.They were either short, curvy, tall, or slim, but never the two.Now, this woman was both, with an ample bosom that was almost spilling out of the tiny top she was wearing. Her hair was dark and shiny, making me jealous.Her face was makeup-free and chiseled, with the straightest nose I had ever seen. Her lips were full and sensual, and her eyes a dark green that twinkled as they landed on mine.I glanced away, flushing. Shit, this woman was making me feel weird. I had never seen when a woman made me question my sensuality before until now."I know, a lot of people feel that way too, well, except for him," she nodded her head towards Julian.When I turned to him, he came towards me, "Are you alright? Can you see me? What's this?" he asked, raising two fingers."Two," I said, r
AVERY POVI had never been in a maze before, but I was sure I was looking at one right now.The air was thick with the scent of worn stone, sweat, and rotten eggs.I pinched my nose as I gazed at the towering walls that loomed above me, their cold grey surfaces seeming to stretch on forever.The flickering torches that lined the passageway cast eerie silhouettes on the ground, making me question which path we were meant to take.There were three paths, and I believed only one was correct. Yet, I didn't think three of us could exactly fit into the narrow passageway at once."I do not understand this. If she wanted us to suffer, she could have done that there rather than give us hopes of helping us to get to the crystal!" Jack complained."Now, how do we know the right path to take? We are in a fucking maze!" he exclaimed."I didn't believe she was interested in helping us at all. Her message had been cryptic, and it sounded more like she'd make us wish and hope for her, but she won't h
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