One

THEY MET BY COINCIDENCE

AVERY'S POV

"You sat there while she insulted mom! Really, father?" I scream, almost raising the roof down after my witch stepmother; lady Beatrice insulted me and my late mother before leaving the room.

I call her a step-witch because a mother can't behave this way. All she did ever since the day she got married to my father was to maltreat me.

"Calm down, Avery. Beatrice didn't mean it that way. Try to understand her, please," My father sighs while rubbing his forehead. It's a sign he is having a headache. I want to go rub my cheek on his knee and pet him like my mother would do when she was still alive, or get him drugs to use. However, my stubbornness and loyalty to my late mother prevails and I continue.

"You say you loved mother and you watch another woman slander her like that. What kind of love is that? Ever since that woman came into our lives, nothing remained the same. I am sick and tired of all these," I glare at him defiantly.

"I loved your mother and you know it. It's just that at this point I'm fed up with you both bickering. When will you two ever make up? It's painful to see you both..." 

I stalk off, not bothering to hear whatever remaining words he has to say. He will always find an excuse as to why he can't challenge her. I'm no longer surprised.

Beatrice had always been like this even before mother's death. She would curse and yell at us both. After the birth of Phillipa, it even became worse because a child now meant that she could secure her claim to the name, March. 

"Arghhhhh" I stomp my feet on the ground and let out a scream into the cold chilly air. Maybe I need to take a walk to calm my nerves. I can't go back there in this mood, I'll be forced to do something I don't want to do. 

It's late at night. We had just finished dinner before my stepmother started barking once again. I hate her so much. So much, I wish father never married her. It's twenty years late for regrets

Years of living with her had hardened me towards her. Her words no longer hurt me but I just couldn't hold it in anymore when she dissed mother. She can insult me all she wants, but my slandering my late mother, is what I'll never take. It irked me and I burst out in anger.

I head for the woods. It is quite dark but I continue treading along the dark path. The soothing breeze calms my nerves. 

Owls are screeching above me, insects are buzzing with their loud noise and the noise of the trees act as a companion to my roaming thoughts.

Will Beatrice ever change? Only a miracle can change her. I know father himself is tired of her naggings but he has no choice. She's his wife.

It's a full moon tonight. The crystal bright moon hung up in the sky illuminating my path across the woods. I raise my hands to ward off any insects coming my way.

For many years, we; humans have been at war with the werewolves, especially our kingdom particularly. What do you expect when all our kingdom does, is hunts and kills werewolves? There's an enmity between us. I should turn back at this point because I seem to have passed our boundary. Father has always told me never to wander far away. 

'There's danger in the dark. Never exceed our boundaries' he had always warned me but this night would be an exception.

I get to a point in the woods and I pick up a stone to mark a tree with the letter 'A' in case I get lost. I may be stubborn but I am definitely wise. I'll find my way back home. I just need to satisfy my curiosity.

A voice warns me to turn back at this point. Another nudges me to move ahead. I choose the latter. It's a beautiful night anyways.

After walking for a few minutes, something attracts me. It's like a beckoning to my soul. The sound of water afar off. 

"There's a stream here in the woods?" I dash to it in excitement. I love swimming so much. Maybe I could swim before heading back home. As I get closer the sound of the water becomes louder.

I am almost close to the river when I see a figure bathing inside. Who's that? I wonder. I move closer tiptoeing to avoid dragging his attention towards me. It's a man. 

He takes some water and washes his face with it. Then he flexes his muscles and knots the blue robe on him. 

"Oh my God! Who is this handsome, well-built man?" I wonder.

I take a step further. I'm now in the open where I can see him clearly. The moon shines on his chiselled face. I take in breaths at his side view. This here is an Adonis I conclude.

He's raven-haired and has such beautiful skin. He runs his hands through his thick mane and closes his eyes. It's like he's meditating. Then he picks the towel on the floor to towel his hair.

I must have made a noise because at that moment he immediately turns his eyes toward me. I'm still studying his features. He has a pair of golden eyes too, I notice. 

Oh! What a perfect combination.

He stares at me like someone strange and I feel a connection brewing between both of us. My heartbeat thump against my chest. I've never been looked at this way before. I open my mouth to form words but they don't come forth.

Then that brief moment expires and he's running towards me. He is quite fast, after all, he has an awesome figure. I dash into the woods not caring which direction I came from.

All I know is that I've passed our boundary and this is another land. I'm not safe. I run with every strength I carry.

I pause for a moment to take in short breaths before continuing when I hear a deep baritone voice behind me. "Stop!" I swallow and a cold chill runs through my spine. 'He has caught up with me'...