Chapter 8: Ava has started having the same dream.

“Are you a psychopath or stalker?!” Ava half yelled and took a step back creating a wide range of distance between them.

“No, I'm not,” Xerxes answered honestly. His voice was deep but calm and held a mystical vibe. 

Hearing his calm and soothing voice, Ava's suddenly tensed body felt relaxed immediately. Although she didn't want to trust him yet, she didn't move away from him anymore.

She then pouted her lips and asked in a low tone. “Then why are you here? How did you know that I was here if you are not a stalker? Are you here to take revenge on me for calling you a pervert?” 

Her questions got Xerxes chuckling for a few seconds. Sobering up, he took a step forward and pulled and placed his black scarf gently on her shoulder.

“Always remember to keep warm. You are a bit skinny to be exposed to cold. As you can see it's windy outside Ava.” he advised as he dressed the scarf on her body, trying his best to cover every exposed part.

As his brain wandered back to her question, Xerxes decided to reply to her to get rid of any misunderstanding between them. “By the way, I'm not a stalker or a psycho. I apologize for saying those mean words to you on the bus that day. I just want us to be friends.” 

His closeness got Ava breathing so hard. She could feel her heart beating faster than usual anytime he spoke a word. Nonetheless, she was still confused about what he had just said.

“He wants to be friends with me? But why?” 

There was something she couldn't fathom about him; as much as she hated physical contact with any man, this time was completely different. She felt safe around him in the weirdest way.

After his finishing up with dressing her with a scarf, Xerxes ascended his palm to her head wanting to pat gently on it, but he stopped midway and took a step back instead.

He didn't want to rush things yet, otherwise, he might scare her away. He had waited so long for her to become a woman and now he needs to be careful about how he treats her.

Looking briefly at his wristwatch, Xerxes uttered in a sophisticated manner, “You should get going now, it's dangerous in the alley at night.” 

“Thank you,” Ava returned his kindness with a smile, and with that, she simply walked away leaving him alone as he looked at her with pain radiation in his emotionless orbs.

As soon as she got home, Asha jumped out of nowhere and placed a knock on her head. “Are you crazy? I was worried something might have happened to you. Why didn't you pick up my calls?” 

Rolling her eyes at her sister's sudden nag, Ava headed for a couch and lay on it. She reached for the remote on the table before facing her sister.

“My phone is upstairs, I didn't carry it with me. I didn't expect I would be home late, so quit nagging me. I'm no longer a child and I can take care of myself.” She replied nonchalantly.

As soon as Ava returned to her room she changed into her pajamas and settled for her bed. However, the unending feeling of wanting to hear from Otto before she goes to bed remains.

Before this, she had always thought his family was getting too hard on him. His father was a renowned and highest-paid general surgeon in the whole of New York City and his family also owned a huge business.

“He must be having a hard time.” a sad sigh escaped Ava's lips as she thought about him. From her point of view, belonging to a wealthy and powerful family was a lot to handle on one's own.

Grabbing her cell phone off her dressing table, Ava's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her ringtone. A smile appeared on her lips when she saw the caller was Otto.

She quickly swiped to the answer button and placed the phone on her ear. “Hey! I thought you wouldn't call because I was about to call you.” 

At the end of the line a shuffling sound could be heard in the background as if someone was pacing around. 

Otto cleared his throat and tried to sound as casual as he could. He did not want Ava to find something off about him, “I'm sorry that I left too early Ava. Something came up and I needed to be home, it was an emergency.” he finally squeezed out a word after a long silence.

“It's alright, I just hope everything is fine in your house...” a brief yawn interrupted her speech and Otto chuckled. 

“You should go to bed now Ava, I will see you in school next week. Goodnight and have a peaceful sleep.” 

Soon there was silence on the other side. Ava looked at her phone and found out that Otto had ended the call before she could even reply.

Shortly her countenance fell and she sighed. “Why did he hang up in a rush? I hope everything is ok with him...” she muttered.

•••

The villa was casually quiet until Xerxes grew his fingers out of anger and began heading straight to the torture room. 

Just a few feet away from the torture room, he met Clarissa who was on her way to see him. Reading his countenance Clarissa was aware something huge must have happened to make him so angry.

“What is it? You don't seem happy as you were, even after meeting Ava?” She asked and he unwillingly halted on his track immediately.

“Ava has started having the same dream, Clarissa and it's frustrating. She is sick because of it and I must do whatever I can to stop it!” his voice was full of determination and without a second thought, he made his way into the torture room.

“Xerxes hold on!” Clarissa tried to stop him from doing something stupid but he shoved her aside and made his way further in.

Finally, he reached the door and with anger in his breathing, he turned to his pack member and personal spy. “Open the door, Royce,” he commanded in his deep voice.

“I wonder what I must have done in my past life that the great Lycan himself agreed to pay me a visit.” The words came from a thousand years old witch.

“Spill the bean Aurelia,” Xerxes emotionless orbs have slowly turned into a light shade of red from his wolf eyes. The wolf's growl could be heard behind his words and it only happens when he gets too angry.

Shortly after, Clarissa showed up and stood beside Xerxes who was heating up with rage. His balled fist was close to turning white and his fangs were beginning to get elongated.

There was silence in the room. None said a word and Xerxes eyes were fully fixated on the old witch sitting in front of him. 

Averting her gaze to Xerxes, a chuckle left her mouth before she continued. “I knew that you would come to see me soon. You remind me of your father, Xerxes. I still remember when he came to me too, just like you are now. He was just so foolish because he got swayed by your mother. I don't blame him because I believe your mother bewitched him with her beauty, after all, she is a witch.” 

Rolling his eyes at her nonsensical statement, Xerxes took a step forward. “Cut to the chase and just tell me what I must do to stop Ava from having those dreams!” 

“There is only one solution and that is for you to let her go. Reject her and it will all be over.” 

Xerxes scoffed at her absurd statement and replied frostily, “I will never let her go, never! If you think making her have those dreams is going to keep me away, then you are at a loss.” 

“You are acting exactly like your father, Xerxes. He felt love was everything and went against his family just to fulfill his dream of marrying his mother but rather it was his doom. He acted recklessly and died an undeserved death. 

“I am not my father, Aurelia.” Xerxes's reply was sharp and held a strong sense of finality. 

Standing up in a rage, Aurelia rebuked. “You cannot be with Ava, Xerxes It is forbidden and you will suffer the same fate as your father” 

Without a word said but as only anger shone in his eyes, Xerxes walked away from the room and banged the door in a go.