AVERY POVGrace and I arrived at the Shard earlier after accepting a ride from a random stranger. Well, it wasn't my intention to do that; it was because of Grace.I had wanted to decline the offer because there had been stories flying around about kidnappings, human trafficking, and all in the news lately. Still, Grace had immediately nudged me inside the car, ignoring my protest.This wasn't my first time in this elegant room. It would be my second time, and I knew only a little about it.The Obsidian Spire, as the top three floors of the Shard were often called, was strictly invitation-only, reserved for the elite of both worlds-supernatural and human.Werewolf Alphas, vampire elders, influential politicians, business tycoons, and even the occasional Fae royalty grace its halls. I wondered how Grace had gotten an invitation, and perhaps it was due to Roy's influence since he was an alpha and an influential figure in the society.The Obsidian Spire offers a range of discreet service
AVERY POVI swallowed back the retort at the back of my throat before glancing at Julian. My cheeks reddened as he glowered at me. He didn't look like he was kidding.I shouldn't have read any meaning into what he had said, but my treacherous body worked on its own. My nipples tightened in anticipation, and my pússy dampened. I clamped my legs together, curling my toes in the heels I wore."I refuse," I murmured, testing his patience.It wasn't as if I intentionally wanted to refuse to obey him, and it was because my stupid thoughts wanted to see if he'd do exactly as he'd said. I wanted him to toss me over his shoulder and spank me as he had said.Well, if you ask me the reason I was expecting such a reaction from him since I had declared our relationship over, I couldn't tell.I presumed it was due to Julia's presence. He makes me want to do the unthinkable.Julian's lips stretched into a wide smile that was void of any amusement as his gaze continued to stay on mine. His eyes made
AVERY POVHe had imprinted on me. The words kept ringing in my head even as Grace had left.Grace was a proper werewolf than I was. She had a mate and a pack house, and I had learned most things from her. I was the opposite of what she was: disorganized, clumsy, and didn't care to look even into my heritage because why should I?I had no freaking idea how I had become a werewolf in the first place. I didn't know if it was one of my parents who had the ability or both of them and I had gotten their genes. I had no one to teach me anything; I did everything myself, including funding for my college.Yes, I might have been on scholarship; I needed to feed myself and a house to sleep in. And the school wasn't going to provide that to me as the scholarship only covered school expenses.I guessed I was too engrossed with working and being a human that I had forgotten what I indeed was.Now I barely knew most terms that every damned werewolf should know. Also, it could be the reason I was wit
AVERY POVWhen the surprise wore off, I stumbled backward, gasping, but Julian yanked me back to the door, his body blocking my path, and he slapped both his hands above my head, causing me to flinch.He gripped the knife stained with his blood and tossed it on the ground before staring at his shoulder. "Fuck it, Avery." he hissed."I...I didn't know it was you," I stuttered.I never could have thought it was him. Julian had never visited me before. I couldn't even believe he knew exactly where I was living all this while!Or maybe he had stalked me today.I noticed he was still in his grey tuxedo. He used one of his hands to tug off the tie around his neck while the other hand was still above my head.Undoing the buttons of his shirt, I swallowed hard, attempting to look away from him. But it was almost impossible.His scent, a crazy woodsy, manly cologne with peppermint and soil, combined with his blood, teased my senses.Letting my tongue peak out, I licked my lips slowly, my eyes
AVERY POVSince my existence, I have heard about people getting attacked while in their homes. Even with the recent kidnappings that had been happening, the captors often went to people's homes to take them captive.I had thought it would never happen to me. Well, I was careful and often looked around me whenever I was going indoors. Also, I ensured I didn't get followed, and if I noticed any movement, I made sure the police number was within reach—likewise, Grace's number.Even though I didn't know what she'd do to me in the context of getting attacked, I guess listening to her voice while she cursed at the attackers was enough for me.Now, I was in the same situation I never thought I'd be in. I wasn't getting attacked by the kidnappers, but this was worse.I was going to get ripped apart by a murderous-looking werewolf!"Stop fucking trembling," Julian said through gritted teeth.I was still behind him and holding onto him. My hands every part of my body, were shaking like crazy.I
AVERY POVJulian's hands were all over my body while I allowed him to do as he desired. Even if I had the chance, I didn't think I could push him away from me.I didn't want to.His hands clasped my butt, squeezing, earning a low throaty moan from me."Fuck Avery," Julian growled as I bit on his lower lips. I didn't intend to.I broke the kiss, placing a hand between us, wincing as I stared at his blood-stained lips, "I'm sorry.""Sorry?" Julian raised a brow to stare at me.Then he pulled me into his chest once more, "The only apology I can accept at this moment is you licking the blood off of my lips."Oh, sweet goddess Selene.My eyes widened as I stared from him to his lips and then to his face again. He was dead serious."Are you certain?" I asked him. That wasn't the question I wanted to ask him, but somehow, it came out, and I couldn't take it back."Of course, Avery. I don't say what I don't mean. Now be a good girl and do as you are told," Julian pursed his lips.Nodding, I g
AVERY POVI woke up to the sound of voices. I didn't know who they were, but they sounded overly familiar.Grimacing, I tried to open my eyes, but it was almost difficult for me to do so. It felt as though they were glued together by gorilla glue or something stronger.Also, I could barely move my body. I didn't know why they suddenly felt so heavy."Avery?" That was Julian's voice.He sounded somewhat concerned, but I couldn't see his face to ascertain his expression."Yes?" I croaked out."Are you awake?"Of course. Someone who's asleep wouldn't be responding to you. I wanted to sass at him but didn't think it was necessary."Why can't I open my eyes? What did you do to me?" I asked him.Julian let out a relieved sigh. "I wonder why you'd think I did something rather than save your ass from having a cracked skull.""You didn't answer my question," I said to him."You'll be fine," Julian murmured, and I felt the bed dipped, guessing he was sitting on it.My nostrils flared as I perce
JULIAN POV"Really, Julian Saint Clair?" Sophia hissed.She bristled, her hands folded in front of her, as she paced here and there in the spacious room that was used for meetings.A massive table was situated in the room's center, made of an ancient slab of wood, scarred from having several markings due to the werewolves that unexpectedly shifted during full moons in the room.Comfortable, plush chairs were arranged around the table, adorned with intricate carvings of wolves and Celtic knotwork. Likewise, The walls were decorated with mystical symbols, talismans, and eerie taxidermy pieces of heads, owls, and other night creatures.Well, that was done to symbolize the creatures present in the pack house, as we weren't made of werewolves alone."Julian!" Sophia exclaimed, causing me to drag my gaze away from the room to hers."She's my secretary, Sophia. She works for me," I pointed out, even as I owed her no explanation as to why Avery was in the pack house."You mean the secretary y
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
AVERY POVRather than respond to my question, Jullian continued to stare at me. It was as if he was seeing me for the first time.He didn't just stare alone and accessed me from head to toe. I wondered if it was due to the robe I was wearing, but then, knowing Jullian, I doubted it was the reason his gaze continued to linger on me."Where is Jason, Jullian?" I question.Jullian blinked as if he was snapped from the daze he had been in."Um, Jason..." he frowned, trailing off.He glanced around himself and then back at me. I did the same thing he had done. Maybe Jason was hiding behind him, and I hadn't checked properly. But Jason was not an inconsequential being not to be seen.In fact, it would have been easy to spot him due to his size."You left my son at the mercy of that witch?!" I growled before I could help myself, and I lunged towards him, folding my hands into fists and slamming them into his broad chest."You fucking left my son to be with that witch!" I cried out as I conti
AVERY POVGroaning, I gripped the seat of the toilet. My stomach hurt from hurling all the food I had eaten the night before, and so did my jaw because I had slammed it into the bathroom room while making my way to the toilet."How do you feel?" Jack asked, gripping my hair out of my face and rubbing my back."I feel like shit," I murmured, wincing."How about we call the doctor?" he asked.I shook my head, wincing at the pain that spread through it. "I'm fine. I believe I ate something bad last night."I couldn't really recall what was wrong with what I had eaten—beef and broccoli stir-fried with soy sauce.Or maybe it was the cake I had eaten soon after but I doubted that was the cause."Maybe not," Jack said. "I look perfectly fine," he pointed to himself.He was right. We had dined together and he looked healthy. He didn't look like he would be sick any moment from now."Maybe it's the flu then," I said. It was that time of the year for it. Although I would be the first person com
JULLIAN POV"Will you quit doing that?" I grimace, kneading its temple.I glared at James, who was still playing with the chains that were used to hold his hands in place."Sorry," he shrugged with a smile on his face. I knew he wasn't sorry. "I'm just trying to keep this place livelier.""While I am trying to think of a way out. You are not helping," I said.James stopped what he was doing, held his face with his hands, and stared at me with a raised brow. "What's the secret? I am curious to know how you wish to get us past these guards in front of us."Right. That was what I was thinking, too. Emily thought it funny to double the guards in the room. There were about ten before; I knew that because I counted each of the people that had come here in the last few hours. They kept changing.Now, I was seeing more faces. I wondered why she had done so. Maybe she knew an escape plan was in place, hence she didn't want to take the chance of us escaping."I do not believe we can get out of