AveryI paced back and forth in my living room, the phone still glued to my ear. Clara's reassuring voice calmed my frazzled nerves, but my mind raced with questions."Avery, slow down, what's going on?" Clara asked, concern etching her tone."I got this weird message," I explained, trying to steady my breath. "No name, no number. Just those chilling words. I don’t know how this person got my contact with the fact it’s a new one and I didn’t share it with people, something terrifying must be going on!” Clara gasped. "Oh my god, that's terrifying! I know how you must feel right now but you need to calm down, Do you think it's related to Ethan or the Montgomerys?”"I have no idea," I admitted, frustration creeping in. "That's what's driving me crazy. I've been racking my brain, but nothing comes to mind.""Don't worry, Ave," Clara soothed. "I'll dig into it. We'll figure out who's behind this."Just as Clara was about to continue, a knock at the door interrupted our conversation."Hold
NathanielI glanced at my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time, sighing heavily as I rubbed my temples. Another summons from Grandma. I loved spending time with her, but lately, our conversations had become predictable and annoying."The Montgomerys this, Sasha that," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. Grandma's fixation on their family was starting to grate on me.But I had promised Avery I'd play along. Time to put on a show. I gathered my thoughts, grabbed my jacket, and headed out of the office.The drive to Grandma's mansion was a short one, and before I knew it, I was pulling up to the grand entrance. The butler greeted me with a nod, and I made my way to Grandma's favorite sitting room.As I entered, Grandma's warm smile greeted me, and she opened her arms for a hug."Nathaniel, dear! I'm so glad you came," she said, squeezing me tightly."Sorry about last time, Grandma," I apologized, trying to sound sincere. "I had something urgent to attend to."Grandma's eye
Nathaniel I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my anger still simmering from the encounter with Ethan. Who did he think he was, laughing at me like that? I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the irritation. As I drove back to the mansion, my thoughts shifted to Avery. I needed to ensure her safety above all else. I wouldn't let anyone harm her, especially not the Montgomerys. My gaze wandered to the side of the road, and I noticed a small flower shop. On a whim, I pulled over and parked the car. A bouquet of flowers might lift Avery's spirits, and I longed to see her radiant smile. I stepped into the shop, greeted by the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the warm smile of the florist. "Welcome to Petals and Posies! How can I help you, sir?" Her bright blue eyes sparkled, and I found myself returning her smile. "Hi. I'd like to get a bouquet for someone special. Something to brighten her day." "Aww, that's so sweet!" She nodded enthusiastically. "What's her favorite flowe
AveryI woke up feeling refreshed, my body stretched out across the soft mattress. For a moment, I forgot about the chaos that had been brewing inside me. But as my gaze drifted to the person lying beside me, my face flushed with embarrassment. Nathaniel, with his chiseled features and piercing eyes, was watching me with a gentle smile.Oh no, oh no, oh no. How could I have asked him to stay over? I thought, mortified. The memories of last night's desperation flooded back, the tears, the pleas, the vulnerability. I had broken down in front of him, and now, I couldn't bear to face him. I had always tried to remain or look strong but it seems the wall I had spent so much time building suddenly started cracking yesterday. I quickly grabbed the pillow and covered my face, trying to hide from my own embarrassment. "What am I doing?" I whispered to myself."Avery, are you okay?" Nathaniel's deep voice asked, his hand brushing against mine.I hesitated, still hiding behind the pillow. "Yeah
Mrs. Montgomery sat behind her sleek, mahogany desk, scanning through the files spread out before her. Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized every detail, her mind racing with strategies and counter-strategies. Sasha suddenly burst into the room, her face twisted in anger."Mother, have you seen the event plan?" Sasha demanded, her voice low and urgent.Mrs. Montgomery looked up, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Of course, dear. What's bothering you?"Sasha paced across the room, her heels clicking on the polished floor. "They're going to mention Avery at the end of the event. Why bring her up now? Everyone's forgotten about her."Mrs. Montgomery leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers together. "That's exactly why we need to bring her up, Sasha. You still have a lot to learn if you want to survive in this world."Sasha stopped pacing, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"Mrs. Montgomery's smile grew wider. "Avery's not just anyone, Sasha. She's a threat. And she's s
Avery’s POV I paced around my living room, frustration simmering beneath my surface. Nathaniel had forbidden me from attending the charity event, citing safety concerns. I understood his reasoning, but it didn't quell my desire to be there, to witness the proceedings firsthand. I snatched my phone and settled into the couch, flipping through the channels until I found the live broadcast of the event. The camera panned across the crowded room, showing familiar faces and lavish decorations. Sasha took the stage, her confident smile radiating through the screen. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to tonight's charity gala. Tonight, we gather to support a noble cause, one that touches the hearts of many." I listened intently, my anger simmering as Sasha spoke about the Montgomery family's philanthropic efforts. I kept on watching and I saw the bidding people made, I knew that my stepmother had used this as an opportunity to milk from the elites, I groaned at each interval
Sasha breezed into her mother's room, a triumphant smile plastered on her face. "Mother, have you seen the news? The charity event was a huge success! The media is eating up our sob story."Mrs. Montgomery, reclining on her plush couch, gestured for Sasha to join her. "I've been watching, darling. You did an excellent job playing the bereaved daughter. The public is eating out of our hands."Sasha plopped down beside her mother, excitement radiating from her very pores. "And the best part? They're all feeling sorry for us. No one suspects a thing."Mrs. Montgomery chuckled, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "The charity event was a brilliant move. Mentioning Avery's name was the icing on the cake. That girl's reputation is still toxic. Just the mention of her name will stir up controversy."Sasha's grin widened. "I know, right? And we will be waiting with bated breath for Avery to slip up. One mistake, and she'll be behind bars."Mrs. Montgomery patted Sasha's hand. "Patience, darl
Avery I paced back and forth in my room, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Clara had been secretive about her plan, and it was driving me crazy. I trusted her with my life, but the thought of her getting hurt was unbearable. She had already sacrificed so much for me.My phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence. I rushed to answer it, hoping it was Clara with some reassuring news."Avery, what's wrong?" Clara's cheerful voice greeted me."You didn't tell me what you had planned, I don’t know what those people might do to you!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my anxiety in check. "I've been worried sick."Clara chuckled. "Avery, stop getting unnecessary worries. Everything will be fine.""Where are you?" I demanded, my concern still evident."I just stepped out of a meeting with Sasha," Clara replied casually.My heart skipped a beat. "What? Clara, be careful. My stepmother is not foolish, and neither is Sasha."Clara's tone remained light. "Don't worry, Avery. At least Sasha didn
NathanielI could feel the adrenaline surging through my veins even before Oliver finished speaking. Mr. Montgomery, the man who had always been the picture of strength, had collapsed. He was the kind of man who never showed weakness, someone who carried himself with an ironclad resolve, unbending in the face of adversity. So, hearing that he was in any sort of trouble felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me.I had to know what happened. Now.“Are you sure of what you are saying?” I asked and Oliver nodded “Yes I am very sure, there is no way I would have come up with fake news, I am telling you the truth.” “Olivia, what happened?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I meant. The words tumbled out faster than my brain could catch up.He was shaking her head, looking more flustered than I’d ever seen him. “I don’t know. I was just there when it happened. he just collapsed. They called the ambulance. I…” his voice trailed off, and I could see the worry on his face. The wo
AveryThe phone slipped from my trembling fingers, clattering to the ground with a sharp, unforgiving sound. My eyes remained glued to Nathaniel, still processing what he had just said. It felt as if my heart had stopped beating, my entire body frozen in shock. I could hear the ringing in my ears, louder than anything else, drowning out everything he was saying.“Your dad is in a coma, Avery.”The words echoed in my head, over and over, but none of them seemed real. This couldn’t be happening. My mind was fighting against it. It had to be some mistake, some cruel joke. But Nathaniel’s face… it wasn’t joking. His expression was serious, filled with concern, but that didn’t make it easier to believe.“No,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. “No. That can’t be right. He’s fine. He is always fine.” My voice was small.Nathaniel stepped closer, crouching down to pick up my phone from the floor, but I barely noticed. My eyes were still locked on him, searching for some glimmer of re
By the time the next week rolled around, the plans to relocate the project team to Crescent Moon Pack were in their final stages. Everything was moving faster than I had expected. It felt like I had barely gotten my feet under me again after returning from the pack, and now I was heading back into their world. But this time, I wasn’t going to be there to stay. I had a project to manage, and my head was focused on the tasks ahead, not on the triplets or the complicated emotions that came with them. I only had one job to do, which was to do some research and avoid everything else. Ruby was also getting ready to leave. She’d been a great support to me, especially after everything that had happened with the triplets. But now, it was her turn. She had arranged an introduction between me and her mate before they traveled. She was insistent on it, and as much as I tried to avoid the subject, she wouldn’t let up. “I’m not going to leave without you meeting him,” she had said one evening whe
I sat in the study, the quiet hum of the house around me doing little to calm the storm swirling inside. My fingers absently tapped the edge of my desk, but I couldn’t focus on anything, nothing but her voice. “It’s disgusting, Lucas.”The words had landed heavier than I expected, heavier than I wanted to admit. They repeated in my mind, over and over, as though she was still standing in front of me, her eyes flashing with anger, her voice cutting through the space between us. Disgusting. The word felt like a punch. And I couldn’t quite shake the sting.I had gone too far, hadn’t I?I hadn’t meant to upset her, hadn’t meant to cross any lines. But watching her with Ryan tonight, seeing the way that man had looked at her and tried to touch her, I couldn’t sit by and pretend it was fine. She didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. But the way she’d turned on me, my attempt to protect her, to help, had been met with nothing but contempt.She doesn’t need me to protect her.That’s what her
When I regained consciousness, the world felt wrong. It was the kind of wrong you sense in your gut, but your mind is too clouded to process at first. My body ached, a deep, dull pain radiating from my neck and limbs. I tried to move, but the restraints holding me were tight, unforgiving. I could barely move my wrists, let alone my legs. My surroundings were unfamiliar, cold, metallic, and humming with the low, steady rumble of an engine. I blinked several times, trying to adjust to the dim light.The realization hit me slowly. I’m on a plane.I jerked my head to the side, feeling the sharp tug of the ropes, but nothing gave. There was no escape. The air around me was thin, carrying a stale scent that made my stomach churn. As I struggled to orient myself, I saw Elena. She was seated across from me, her gaze locked on mine, unwavering and predatory. “How long?” I rasped, my throat sore from the silence. My words felt foreign, like they hadn’t been used in days. “How long was I out?”
From where I stood, in the corner of their chamber, I noticed there was some other presence just like me, some other vampire like me was also present, and I could smell them.I watched as Agiel stabbed the girl on her chest, and I let out a grin, my whole body, thirsty for her blood, and as the man beside her took her away, I walked out of the room gently and unnoticed.I decided to head back to the vampire castle, but first I needed to know if what felt right, I needed to know if exactly there was another vampire.As soon as I was out of sight and into the bushes, I had the leaves rustle and I froze, not out of fear but the fact that I know that, whoever that is knows I'm a vampire.“Show yourself.” I said, as I lowered the hood of the jacket I was wearing, to cover my face, and protect me from the blazing sun.“Show yourself already and don't hide inside the bushes.” I said, looking around me.“Draven?” The voice called, out of surprise, I turned around, my eyes widened in disbelief
The door slammed behind Kingston, the echo lingering in the air like a warning. Jason stood by the window, his posture tense and jaw clenched, as though he was ready to throw someone else out if need be. The room felt charged, as though an unspoken threat lingered in every corner. I watched as Kingston walked to his car, turning around severally with a puzzled look on his face. “What the hell was that about?” I finally asked, breaking the heavy silence. My voice sounded stronger than I felt, but I wasn’t going to let Jason’s mood intimidate me.Jason turned, his dark eyes meeting mine with a stormy intensity. “You need to stay away from him, Willow. All of you do.”Ruby, seated on the couch, raised an eyebrow. “And why’s that? He seemed creepy, sure, but what’s the big deal?”Jason’s lips pressed into a hard line. “He’s not a good person, that’s the big deal. Trust me on this one. A few years ago, I worked on a case where Kingston was involved. I can’t go into details, but he’s bad n
I could see the pain and anger in Annalise's eyes as Agiel confessed all that he had done in the past. I couldn't help but feel her pain as she sat close to me, her hands trembling with pain and anger.Everyone in the room was horrified at what Agiel had done. The leader of the council ordered the guards to take him away as he would be executed in some days time.Annalise pulled away from my hug, as the guards walked Agiel out of the room, but as soon as Agiel was close to Annalise's side of the table, he tackled the guard and lunged at Annalise with a knife, stabbing her on the chest before I could even blink an eye.I stood frozen, breath caught in my throat as my eyes widened in disbelief. My face drained of color, lips parted slightly, as if trying to speak, but no words came out.A shiver ran through me, and my hands trembled, as I tried to touch the wounded part of her chest, my heart pounded erratically, as I couldn't tear my gaze from the horrible scene, unable to fully compre
Days after what Xavier said, I decided to give the Eligara members a chance, so we set out to the crimson shadow pack and also with Agiel as a prisoner.Once we reached the crimson shadow pack, we headed to the council of Eligara and met them patiently waiting for us.As we entered the chamber, we were given a warm welcome, and proceeded to having our seats while Agiel was cuffed and made to stand in the center of the room.I sat at the council table, my fingers tapping impatiently against the wood, I still wasn't happy with them and I wanted to get this done with as soon as possible.My jaw was set tight and a low growl, rumbled in my throat, as I watched some council members droning on about matters that I'm not concerned with as they approached the table to take their seat.My sharp gaze flickered around the room, catching the indifferent faces of those who seemed worlds apart from the primal instinct thrumming within me.As the council members droned on while getting ready to addr