~Avery~
As I knelt under the heavy gaze of the assembly, the solemn voice of Kristopher rang out, casting a shadow over my fate.
"Avery Frost is kneeling here today, accused of infidelity with a rogue, and also aiding the rogues by giving them vital information about our pack, which caused their last successful attack that claimed the lives of many pack members which we are still grieving." Kristopher turned to me, his piercing eyes fixed on me, he continued. "Avery Frost, the trial today will look at the evidence to determine if you are guilty of these crimes."
Perspiration formed like icy beads on my forehead as I scanned the room, every pair of eyes a judge unto themselves.
"Avery, do you swear by the sacred goddess to speak the truth and nothing but the truth?"
"I do," I replied, striving to keep my voice unwavering.
In the corner, I heard my mother's muffled sobs. She knew I would never commit the crime they accused me of. I could never bring harm to Alpha King like that.
"And how do you plead?" Kristopher inquired.
"Not guilty," I declared firmly.
A murmur swept through the gathered crowd. I knew they wouldn't believe me, and did they expect me to plead guilty to infidelity and treason?
"Very well, then," Kristopher intoned gravely. "We'll start by hearing the witness testimonies of those involved and any other supporting evidence. If she is found guilty of infidelity and treason, we all know what the consequences are."
And with that, the trial began.
~*~
Horror gripped me as Sammy, a person I once considered an ally, wove her tale against me. Her words felt like daggers, each one etching a deeper wound. Why is she lying? What have I done to deserve this? I questioned internally, my mind a whirlpool of confusion and betrayal.
"...she flirted with him, even when I warned her of his rogue status and the danger he posed..." Sammy's voice was steady, her accusation unwavering.
"Sammy?" My voice cracked, disbelief and hurt intermingling. The urge to defend myself surged, breaking my composed silence.
"Avery Frost, I must insist that you refrain from interrupting a witness," Kristopher interjected, his tone a clear warning.
Tears pricked my eyes, a storm of emotions threatening to overflow. But I held them back, knowing that showing weakness in this room, in front of these people, would only serve to delight the architect of my downfall. It was unfathomable to me— who in the pack harboured such animosity towards me? I had always tried to blend in, to follow the rules even when they chafed against my beliefs. Who would go to such lengths to frame me in this elaborate ruse?
Sammy continued spinning her web of deceit and lies. "Avery confided in me her plans for revenge, intending to betray the pack by letting rogues in, once she had earned our trust."
I felt a tempest of emotions raging within. The effort to restrain myself, to keep Tia, my inner wolf, at bay, was becoming increasingly arduous. Tia was already on the verge of taking control.
'Let me tear this traitor apart,' Tia raged.
'No, Tia. Resorting to violence will only worsen our predicament. We're already in a dire situation. Any action against her would be branded as assault,' I pleaded, trying to pacify my enraged wolf. But Tia remained uncontrollable.
Sammy's gaze flickered to me, a glint of understanding in her eyes, perhaps sensing the internal struggle tearing at my soul. She took a step back and continued her deceit. I was furious and deeply wounded by her testimony. Two witnesses had fabricated their stories, but Sammy's lies hurt the most because she had been my confidante, my 'home girl,' someone I had considered a friend.
"Avery confessed to me that she despised Regina and vowed to kill her so that she would stop visiting the pack house."
That statement proved to be the breaking point. Tia unleashed her fury. In a blur of motion, propelled by Tia's unbridled rage, I found myself lunging towards Sammy. Tia had taken over, and I had lost all semblance of control. Tia's colossal form emerged, and she howled. She pounced on Sammy, pinning her to the ground. Before the onlookers could intervene, Tia had left indelible marks on Sammy's face as a reminder of our wrath.
Suddenly, a searing pain lashed across my back, and I knew it was the silver lash without needing anyone to confirm it. Tia crumpled to the ground as the lash struck us repeatedly. Eventually, Tia retreated, leaving me sprawled on the floor, naked and vulnerable. The room buzzed with commotion as I teetered on the edge of consciousness. My mother's anguished cries echoed in my ears.
"Cover her up!" someone commanded amidst the commotion.
As I lay there, drifting towards unconsciousness, the blurry image of a man being dragged away caught my fading attention. A cloth was thrown over me, providing an unexpected solace. It carried the distinct scent of the King. In that moment, it felt as though he was the one enveloping me in an illusory embrace, lending a fleeting sense of protection in my vulnerable state. Clinging to that comfort, I surrendered to the encroaching darkness and slipped into unconsciousness.
~Avery~ As I regained consciousness, I found myself bound and lying on the cold, unfeeling ground, surrounded by impenetrable darkness. The only covering on my body was an oversized shirt, which belonged to King. My eyes strained against the pitch black that enveloped me, but no shape or form emerged from the shroud of night. A flood of emotions— the sharp sting of recent events overwhelmed me. Betrayal, so raw and profound, bore down upon my soul with an unbearable weight. Succumbing to this tide of despair, tears flowed freely, tracing cold paths down my cheeks. I thought about my mother. The thought of her, enduring this ordeal, her mind wracked with worry for me, intensified my anguish. I didn't want her to worry so much about me, so I tried speaking to her through the mind-link. 'M-mom?' I whispered hesitantly. 'Avery, my dear,' her voice, laden with relief and anxiety, echoed in my mind, as though she had been anxiously awaiting my awakening. 'You're fin
~Avery~ Time seemed to dissolve into an endless night, as I stayed shrouded in perpetual darkness within the confines of my prison room. For three days, darkness was my sole companion. My stomach churned from lack of food, and the only solace in this abyss was the occasional flicker of my mother's voice as she checked on me through the mind link. Tia was weak already and I could barely muster the energy to sit upright. But just when I thought I was going to die, that was when I heard the gate clang and the door to the darkroom open. The guards walked in and hauled me to my feet, escorting me from my gloomy prison to the Beta chambers. "Alpha has returned," Kristopher announced, his gaze scrutinizing my weakened form. "Prepare her, and ensure she is fed." Tia, though weakened by our ordeal, sparked to life at the mention of King's name. Anxiety churned within me, uncertainty clouding my thoughts about what awaited me in King's presence. The memory of his piercing g
~Avery~ The pain overwhelmed me, rendering me immobile. I lay sprawled in King's office, my strength drained to the point where even using the mind link was beyond me. As the excruciating pain threatened to plunge me into unconsciousness, the door creaked open, and Regina entered. The click of her high heels against the hard floor echoed through the room as she advanced toward me. She was going to help me up. I know she was a nice person, and I wouldn't hold any grudge against her, because she had given me an opportunity which I messed up. However, as she crouched before me, the sight that greeted me was completely unexpected. A triumphant grin stretched across her face, morphing into a derisive laugh. My confusion deepened, manifesting in a puzzled frown. Regina brushed aside the strands of hair that veiled my face. "So, you believed you could reap where you hadn't sown?" she taunted. My forehead furrowed in bewilderment, struggling to make sense of her words. She rose, the
~Avery~ I awoke, my eyes fluttering open to find myself in the clinic room of the pack. Confusion washed over me as I blinked twice, struggling to comprehend why I was there. "My darling, thank the goddess you're awake," came the comforting lilt of my mother's voice, redirecting my scattered thoughts towards her worried face. Mom sat by my bedside, her eyes showing signs of exhaustion, evident in the dark bags beneath them. A pang of concern knotted my stomach. I couldn't help but wonder if she had been getting enough sleep lately, given the circumstances. Despite my initial confusion, I began to feel a surge of strength and wellness coursing through me. "Mom?" My voice was a hoarse whisper, barely audible as I attempted to rise. She was quick to lend a helping hand, arranging pillows behind me so I could recline comfortably. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" she inquired. "I'm feeling much better... and stronger," I responded, the fog in my mind clearing
A Month Later...~Avery~ "Congratulations, Ms. Avery Frost. You are four weeks pregnant," the doctor announced, as she handed me the test results. I found myself frozen in disbelief, my mother at my side. The words seemed to echo in the sterile room, creating ripples of disbelief in their wake. "No, doctor. That's impossible," I protested vehemently, the words tumbling out in a rush of denial. "I... I can't be pregnant." A shadow of concern flickered across the doctor's face, her eyebrows knitting together in a delicate frown. She cast a puzzled glance, between my mother and me. Sensing my distress, my mother reached for the paper the doctor extended, offering a gracious smile in return. "Thank you, doctor," she said softly. She motioned for me to rise and follow her out, but I remained rooted to my seat, grappling with the shocking revelation. It took a gentle nudge from my mother to rouse me from my stupor, her firm hand guiding me out of the doctor's office and i
Five years later... ~King~ Kristopher and I strode into the conference room, our presence casting an immediate hush over the gathered group. Seven pairs of eyes, belonging to four men and three women, all clad in business attire that spoke of power and resolve, turned towards us. Each face was etched with a seriousness that showed the gravity of the situation. I was well aware of the reason for this assembly, and I felt a simmering fury inside me, a tempest barely contained. It seemed like lately, everything only served to fuel my anger. The urge to lash out pulsed through me, but I knew better than to act on it. My knuckles still bore the scars and bandages of recent outbursts. I took my place at the head of the grand oak table. Drawing a deep, steadying breath, I scanned the room, meeting the lowered gazes that avoided my own. The air was thick with unspoken words, waiting to burst forth. The recent passing of my mother had left more than just a void in my heart; it had plunged T
~Avery~ The conference hall bustled with the presence of suited businessmen and women engaging in lively conversation as I entered through the west door, flanked by an imposing entourage of security personnel. A hush fell over the room as I strode toward the podium. All eyes turned toward me, and though nerves threatened to overwhelm me, I plastered on a confident smile to conceal my apprehension. Despite my efforts, I couldn't shake the feeling that many in the audience could sense my anxiety. However, I was resolute, boosted by the silent mantra whispered by my wolf, Tia. 'You've got this, Ave.' Drawing in a deep breath, I allowed my smile to widen. My gaze swept across the room until it rested upon the comforting sight of my mother and Jane, and then on my precious twins, Julian and Julia. Their radiant smiles infused me with the courage I desperately needed. Marrying Alpha Duncan Bells had been a decision primarily made for the sake of my children's future, but I never a
~Avery~ The moment I stepped into the boardroom, faces already seated around the table turned to me with a gravity that told me everything I needed to know. This was serious. My mind raced. What new discovery could they possibly have made about me? Duncan was the only one who truly knew me. He was the only one who knew my good, bad, and ugly. He knew my former mate and knew the pack I had run from. Duncan was the only one who knew my real name. To everyone else in the room, I was Ava Bells. Since Duncan's passing three months ago, the pack had hurled one accusation after another my way, but I stood firm, countering each claim with the strength and resilience I had cultivated over the years. "Mrs. Bells?" My assistant's voice pulled me back to the present, offering me a chair. I took my seat, my gaze locking on Marcus. "I wasn't expecting another meeting after my address. Why wasn't I informed beforehand?" I inquired.Marcus met my stare. "It was impromptu, as I told
~Avery~ I arrived at the restaurant a few minutes after noon, my heart racing, my stomach doing somersaults. What was I even thinking coming here? I told myself it was for closure, to put an end to this once and for all, but deep down, I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to meet Cassius without letting King or anyone know. I don’t know. Cassius had not done anything to me, but I had been wary of him since he told me about his feelings, and I felt he was hiding something from me. But it all could be my imagination too. But after the feeling of being watched which, I had been getting lately, I think I needed to hear what he had to say because he sounded pretty urgent on the phone. I parked my car, sat for a moment, and exhaled, mentally preparing myself. This meeting was going to be quick. In and out. That was what I promised myself. But a part of me kept telling me I had no business here, but curiosity is a dangerous thing. I had to know what Cassius wanted to say. The moment I
~Avery~ “I’m all ears,” I said, slipping off my apron, already bracing myself for the same tired story. Cassius always had something up his sleeve. “This isn’t something I can say over the phone. I need to see you.” I sighed, rolling my eyes even though he couldn’t see it. “Cassius, come on. You should know by now I’m over all this. I’ve got a lot on my plate.” “I swear, I won’t take up much of your time,” he insisted, his voice smooth like he was trying to charm his way out of detention. I hesitated, knowing this was probably a bad idea. “Fine, I’ll let King know and—" “No!” His response was so quick it nearly made me laugh. “He doesn’t need to know. I’m not going to bite, Avery. Just come alone. I’ll text you the address, and it’ll be in a public place. We need to meet as soon as possible.” Before I could fire back with some excuse, I caught sight of King heading toward the kitchen. “I’ll speak to you later,” I said, hanging up and slipping my phone back into my pocket j
~Avery~ King followed me into the kitchen like a man on a mission, clearly craving some alone time. We hadn’t had a moment to ourselves in days, not since that unsettling visit to Oliver’s cell. And boy, had things gotten complicated since then. Turns out, after some digging, we discovered that what Oliver said about King’s father was horrifyingly true. The man had been running a dirty side business beneath the surface, and King had been carrying around a false image of his father this whole time. As I stirred the food in the casserole, I felt King’s arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back into his chest. I couldn’t help but smile as I tilted my head to catch his scent, a mix of cedar and something distinctly him. Before I could even playfully protest, his lips were on mine, and it was clear he had been starving for this kiss, as though it had been an eternity since we had last been like this. But even in this moment, something felt off. I had that weird sensation of being
~Avery~ As King and I stepped into the prison, the air was thick with that unique scent of old concrete and metal, the kind that makes your skin crawl. The walls seemed to absorb every echo, like they were listening in on every secret. King’s hand tightened around mine, as if he was trying to reassure me, that I was safe with him beside me. “It’s crazy how the Steels have been the bane of our existence,” he muttered, his voice edged with irritation. It had been two whole days since Oliver Steel’s arrest, and we were just starting to breathe again. It felt like we had been holding our breath for weeks. Still, even with that small relief, the unspoken problems lingered, particularly the rogue wolves with those strange tattoos who had tried to take me at Alpha Cassius' ball. We still hadn’t tracked them down, but that was a nightmare for another day. Oliver had lost everything—his status, his rank, even his pack. The Wolf Council had stripped him bare. His beta was in charge for no
~King~ Kristopher pulled up in front of Alpha Oliver’s packhouse, with our warriors' cars trailing behind us. But the sight that greeted us was anything but expected. The Council police were already there, swarming the place like they were filming an episode of “Packhouse Cops.” I had given the Council a heads-up about Oliver, tossing in some evidence to spice things up, but I didn’t expect them to go full-on detective mode and ransack the place like it was a crime scene. I slid out of the car and swung the door open for Avery. Kristopher, Jane, and Axel followed, looking as confused as I felt. We had come to see Oliver get cuffed and carted off to the werewolf equivalent of Alcatraz, but it seemed we were in for more than just a simple arrest. One of the police officers, spotting our little ensemble, made his way over, looking all official. “Alpha King, Luna Avery, Beta Kristopher, Miss Jane, and Gamma Axel,” he greeted, nodding like he was about to hand out awards. “What’s
~King~ "Wakey, wakey, Mrs. CEO," I teased, grinning down at Avery, who was comfortably nestled in my arms, looking like she belonged there forever. She had returned to Silverpine last night, finally claiming her rightful place at Bells Empire. I couldn’t be prouder. But, of course, she was utterly exhausted from her grand takeover, so she pretty much collapsed into bed the second she got in. Me? I stayed up a little longer, just staring at her—because why sleep when you can marvel at perfection? Eventually, sleep caught up with me too, and I drifted off with her still in my arms. I had also filled her in on all the latest developments, including how we had involved the Council, thanks to Axel’s brilliant advice. The cherry on top? Oliver Steel, the guy behind those pesky threats, would be behind bars by tomorrow. Avery groaned, stretching like a lazy cat in the morning sun, before yawning and blinking up at me with a smile that could melt stone. I couldn’t resist leaning dow
~King~ I paced the length of our hideout like a caged tiger, my heart doing that annoying thing where it thumps against my ribs. My thoughts were spiralling, each one more anxiety-inducing than the last. What if these guys double-cross us? What if the plan goes south? And seriously, how long does it take to create a distraction and grab a stupid machine? Are they doing this in slow motion? And that wasn’t the only thing gnawing at my nerves tonight. One of my men had casually mentioned that Alpha Cassius had dropped by Avery’s company. Oh, just a little visit, no big deal. Yeah, right. I had called Avery, fishing for details, but she was a locked vault. Her explanation? Cassius had a meeting nearby and thought he would stop by to say hi. Sure, because he’s just that friendly. I didn’t buy it. Not for a second. Cassius doesn’t do ‘friendly visits,’ especially not to Blue Moon. There was definitely something fishy about his timing, and I wasn’t about to let it slide. If that slea
~Avery~ I won’t lie; when King left me here on my own, I felt like a lone soldier abandoned on the battlefield. The empty spaces seemed to echo with my uncertainty, and I had that sinking feeling of being all alone. But I knew I had to keep it together. I had to stand strong, for myself, if nothing else. Sure, I was torn between wanting to scream and curl up in a ball, but hey, one crisis at a time, right? I didn’t know how I was going to run this company from Silverpine if King and I got back together. I guess that was a bridge I would cross when I got there. For now, the mission was simple: reclaim my company from the clutches of Marcus and those conniving board members. Today was the day—the day I would finally take the reins as CEO, wresting control from Marcus’s slimy fingers. Walking down the lobby, I nodded back at the people who greeted me with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Some looked thrilled, others… not so much. Probably Marcus’s loyal minions. Whatever. As I neare
~King~ “How much more damage has that conniving witch done?” Kristopher snarled, his frustration practically vibrating through the room after I finished recounting the whole printer-and-ink drama in the library. If words could kill, we would be sweeping Regina’s ashes off the floor. “We need to tread lightly,” Axel cautioned, his voice calm but eyes sharp as ever. “If she so much as catches a whiff of our plan, she’ll make sure every shred of evidence vanishes faster than my patience during a boring meeting.” That little nugget of wisdom sent my heartbeat into overdrive. Knowing Regina, she probably already had the printer in the back of some getaway truck by now, laughing maniacally as she drove off into the sunset. I rubbed my forehead, praying that this wouldn’t turn into yet another colossal headache for us. Evidence—we needed it, and we needed it fast. “And we need to confirm it’s the right printer,” Axel added. “We can’t go off half-cocked. The serial number’s our ticket.”