It’s been two days since their kiss and Ian still couldn’t get it off his mind. Ian wished the kiss had lasted longer, wishing he could have his fill of the sour taste of the lemon juice Avery had on her table right before she brought him in.The happiness of their little moment would probably have lasted if Avery didn’t suddenly perfect the acts of avoiding him.Seeing him only when they're having their meals together, and by meals, it meant meals Finn was present, or she’d have her meal brought up to her room instead.Ian wished it was just things between her and Avery that had been awkward. Eloise and Finn seem to be having a thing of their own; of course, his mother still often helps his father, who could now barely do anything on his own but he could tell things were awkward between the two. He wasn’t sure why, and Eloise doesn’t seem ready to talk about it either and things were just about to get worse between Eloise and Avery as well.Ian thought after following Avery after s
Of course he likes her, how could she not tell, if it wasn’t her cold attitude and indifference towards him, the whole house would have probably picked his interest in her.Ian has never tried to hide that he was attracted to her, from the persistent gaze of his that follows her every movement to his actions of blatantly holding her in the middle of the courtyard where any passing person could have seen her.Maybe that was what scared her; Ian seemed indifferent to everything else but with her, he laid his emotions bare like the sky flashing its rainbow colours after a heavy rain.Even though Avery had tried her best to discourage his obvious interests by remaining cold to him and constantly reminding him of his place, she didn’t think she’d falter so soon.After a call with Lewis about the Christmas break for Apollo employees, she went straight to bed but woke up after a dream of her first night together with Ian.His gentle caress, strong muscular body unbefitting of his cute boyish
Ian thought he could manoeuvre his way into Avery's space.Having dealt with pack politics before, he knew the type of person Avery was and he planned to use that to his advantage.Even if it was just gossip and jumbled words to derive traffic and sales, he read through almost every article about Avery, mostly about her likes and relationships and Ian figured out one thing.Avery was someone who only associated herself with people who needed her; she enjoyed being needed.It was her assurance of a relationship and more than that, she loved being in control, probably another reason why she pretends to be strong, the other reason being her kind heart which was why Ian pretended to be pitiful, to spark her urge to help since she can't resist offering a hand.But when Avery belittled his affections, as merely a moment of confusion, Ian lost his cool.Maybe Avery was right, he doesn't know her well enough, to be in love with her but the moon goddess doesn't make mistakes, the attraction Ia
Avery couldn't bring herself to join them for dinner or breakfast after what happened with Ian.As she woke up the next day, she saw the maids had already started on the Christmas decorations; Eloise and Finn were no exception, instructing the staff about how they wanted the house to look like while Finn also helped hang a few Christmas tree decorations on his wheelchair.Christmas, huh? Avery furrowed. Christmas has always been a disaster for her, since she always spends the day alone.Her douchebag exes never bothered to spend Christmas with her, thinking she'll be spending it with her dad, who ironically spent every Christmas with his mistress.She stopped hoping for Christmas, living the day like it was any other day after a few years of disappointment, working her ass off or binge-watching a series on her couch, although Rosie did extend invitations for her to spend Christmas with them; she wasn't sure she could handle watching their harmonious, big, happy family while hers has l
According to Kaden, the moment the Moon hound pack, a neighbouring pack that has fought their pack over territory for years, heard about his absence from the pack, they attacked Raven Hills.Of course, his grandfather didn’t sit still; he defended his pack like he always did, they probably attacked after underestimating his strength but there were a few casualties, including Kaden’s mother, who was the pack's official gamma.Although Kaden assured her that he didn’t need to be there, the attack was over, and everything was back in order again. The moon hound pack has been pushed back yet again after they suffered even larger casualties, but Ian wanted to visit the pack; he needed a break, even if it was just for a day; he needed a change of environment.It was almost laughable; he spent his entire life in the pack and never thought he needed a break from the environment but after a week with his parents, he found himself searching for home because he could never feel at home with the
Avery couldn’t help but feel conflicted after hearing Ian left the house just like she did.Did he want a time-out like her? Was he feeling conflicted like she was? Did he finally decide to give up on her?She’ll probably like that, it was never gonna work between them, maybe things would have been different if they didn’t share the same blood, maybe just maybe things could have been different.But Avery couldn’t help the ache in her heart. “Fuck!” Avery let out a silent cuss that Damian somehow heard.“You okay? You look a little distracted Avy” Damian’s said his amber eyes squinted in worry.“I’m…I’m okay. I just have a lot going on” Avery replied, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge the of the glass up with the orange juice Derrick had handed her.“Is this about this Ian kid? You’ve been out since Derrick mentioned him” Damian pointed out, reminding Avery how attentive he has always been. “D’you wanna talk about, you always like telling me stuff” ‘That was beacause I had a
Chapter 28Ian wasn't planning to return to Hilton the same day he dropped by the pack. He wanted to at least tell Kaden more about Avery and since he's dated a lot more than he has, maybe he could help, though he never intended to admit he needed help.But all it took was a single call from his mother; not only did it cut short his visit. She sent him into a panic frenzy. “Really? He's going to die now! I've not even forgiven him yet!” Ian mumbled to himself as he rushed back to the car, his driver all ready to drive him back. ‘What if he really dies?’ Ian could feel his throat run dry and though his driver, who was also his mother's driver, was driving at the highest speed, it didn't seem enough. Ian realised he'd never said a single nice word to Finn. He's never had a proper conversation with him yet; he's never asked why he neglected him.He still doesn't have the chance to hate him enough, so he really was scared of him dying. It dawned on Ian, who was sure he'd be indiffere
Avery let out a loud scoff at the appearance of his father’s COO, who actively opposed her every damn time after he practically ignored her to talk to Ian.“What are you doing here, Albert?” Avery demanded ignoring his response.What Avery had been constantly worried about immediately started happening when Ian’s pictures leaked to the public.Avery wasn’t denying that Ian might end up competing with her for her position, even if he was just a kid who lived away from everything her father owned and knew nothing of their father’s business; he was still their father’s son and this type of situation was something Ian could never escape, not even when he claimed to love her.Avery believed Ian would soon have a change of heart the moment he tasted the power that comes with being the son of the great Finn Archer, owner of Apollo Co. All he needs is a little more push from his mother and people like Albert, who are eager to use him to step up themselves—a greedy bunch of them.“Like I said
Avery sighed softly as she stood up, ready to leave the cafe where she met with Damian.After giving her response, she didn’t think there was anything else to talk about and immediately tried to leave.“You wanna get some tarts? you love tarts...my treat,” Damian suggested, pointing at the pastry shop displaying tarts right next to the cafe as they walked out of the cafe together while ignoring the gaze of the two girls by the entrance who seem to have recognised her even though she was wearing the simplest clothes possible.Avery for a minute hesitated but the pastries looked nice.“Sure,” Avery accepted before they both walked right into the pastry shop but right before she let go of the glass door, Avery was sure she heard a camera shutter.‘I wonder what those reporters are up to now.’ She thought while waiting as Ian ordered her some fruit tarts and packed them up for her.“Thanks,” Avery grinned before they both walked out and headed towards their cars.“Well, they reminded me o
Chapter 52Avery sighed softly as she stood up, ready to leave the cafe where she met with Damian.After giving her response, she didn’t think there was anything else to talk about and immediately tried to leave.“You wanna get some tarts? you love tarts...my treat,” Damian suggested, pointing at the pastry shop displaying tarts right next to the cafe as they walked out of the cafe together while ignoring the gaze of the two girls by the entrance who seem to have recognised her even though she was wearing the simplest clothes possible.Avery for a minute hesitated but the pastries looked nice.“Sure,” Avery accepted before they both walked right into the pastry shop but right before she let go of the glass door, Avery was sure she heard a camera shutter.‘I wonder what those reporters are up to now.’ She thought while waiting as Ian ordered her some fruit tarts and packed them up for her.“Thanks,” Avery grinned before they both walked out and headed towards their cars.“Well, they re
Chapter 51Even if Ian had promised to wait for Avy who said she needed some time to sort stuff out, it was hard to keep himself from contacting her.Being cooped up at home while still blatantly giving Eloise the cold shoulder was terrible.After all, she forced him into accepting her conditions.Ian was only able to accept her proposal after brainwashing himself into thinking he wasn’t doing for her but Avery.Doing the internship at the company and changing schools would mean he gets to stay by Avy’s side for a while.His grandfather is only filling in for him as the alpha because of school.Ian knew he had to return to take his grandfather’s position the moment he was done with school, which means he only has a couple of years to spend with Avy and convince her to be his Luna, since being his Luna might change everything for them.Ian, while still drowning in his thoughts, decided to visit Natalie since he finally made up his mind on what to do about the Elite party, which invitat
“This is surprising; I never expected you’d actually show up here.” Natalie grinned after Ian showed up at her place of work and paid for her hours since she was an escort for alpha werewolves.Since she was reserved only for the VIPs of the bar, buying her hours without reservation was expensive, and somehow Ian paid for it to talk to her.After their first encounter, Ian and Natalie, naturally, got close since he was new in town and Natalie knew all the fun places.While Ian could call Derrick to hang out, he still couldn’t discuss werewolf matters with him since he was yet to tell him about who he really is.Natalie had met Ian outside before; when his father died and he needed a drinking buddy, it kind of seemed like Ian had more worries than his father’s death at the time but Natalie never got to ask since it was officially the third time they were meeting.And though Ian did seem like he genuinely wanted to be friends with her, Natalie was sure it was all because Ian still hasn’
Chapter 49Avery felt the warmth of her cup of coffee seep into her hands as she gently wrapped her hands around it while trying to avoid Damian's persistent gaze.She'd asked to meet to apologise since she knew she was partly responsible for what happened with Ian.Avery, who'd never seen Ian act like that and had no idea he was capable of lashing out like that, blamed herself.“Did you really ask me here to sip coffee, Avy?” Damian asked after several minutes of sitting across from each other in an awkward silence.Even though she's ordered Damian's favourite drink, he still looked quite upset, which was fair; Ian did punch him a couple of times, thinking he forced himself on her.“I'm sorry, Damian. I'm sorry… I really am.” Avery apologised with her head still lowered in guilt.According to Damian, Rosie asked him to come check up on her after she called her back and didn't get a response from her.And since Damian wanted to talk to her because things didn't exactly end smoothly th
Chapter 48Ian woke up with a clear head and a refreshed body but the contents of his memory were so disturbing that it made him conclude he was dreaming. yet, the bite marks on Avery’s weak body were enough evidence to reaffirm his reality.He was a total bastard to Avery. How could he lose control like that when he wasn’t even in his rut? Did Avery’s heat somehow manage to trigger his rut? Ian wondered.Ian knew he was going to have to reveal this part of himself to Avery eventually since he was an alpha and ruts for him wouldn’t be any different from what happened between them, but Ian didn’t expect to show her this early.‘She’s definitely going to break up with me?’ The The thought terrified him so much, tears trailed down his eyes instinctively.So far, Ian had only shed tears to garner Avery’s affection and make himself appear pitiful since pity is also a type of affection, but Ian wasn’t acting this time.His thoughts were in turmoil, and the thought that everything he’d meticu
Mature content aheadAvery recalled the pain that shook her the moment Ian bit down on her neck but the pain soon faded, replaced by an explosion of pleasure that had her shaking as her climax raked through her entire body.She felt an undeniable amount of relief spread through her body and her body finding such relief for the first time since the pain of her unbearable heat and desires started instantly relaxed her, and she started to feel sleepy.One thing, though, Ian had no plans of letting her sleep.Ian lifted Avery into his arms and brought her to the bed before he started pulling off his clothes.“I heard marking can both be painful and pleasurable but to think you’ll cum to just that…almost makes me wanna do it again.” Ian smiled but despite the curve of his lips, he still looked really pissed.‘I guess he’s someone who doesn’t let go of grudges easily.’ Avery's thoughts were snuffed as she stiffened when Ian slid down her pyjama shorts.Heat instantly enveloped her skin agai
Chapter 46Ian couldn’t help wondering who the strange visitor who visited the day before was. Ian could feel Storm’s irritation from the moment he felt his presence.An alpha with quite a domineering presence that had Storm getting all territorial but Ian had to remind him that even if the place belonged to his father, his territory wasn’t here.Locking heads with another alpha whose territory might be in the area wouldn’t be good.Ian ended up just locking his door from behind and sleeping afterwards, even though he tried to eavesdrop on his Eloise conversation with the mysterious alpha visitor.Ian tried calling Avery after he woke up but there was no response and the same for when he woke up in the morning.After a couple more calls, Ian couldn’t help feeling anxious and immediately decided to visit Avery.“Ian,” Eloise called as he strolled downstairs all dressed up and ready to leave for Avery’s apartment. “You’re going to see her again, aren’t you?” Eloise frowned after he reac
Everyone in the Archer household knows about the overshadowed Eldest son of the Archer household.Arlo Archer loved his wife, Emily Pelt, very deeply and never took another even after 12 years of being without a child but Emily Pelt loved children and adopted Arden into the family after 7 years of being childless.According to Avery’s knowledge of her family history, her grandmother already gave up on having children but Finn came as a miracle that healed her years of heartbreak over not being able to have a child of her own.Which was why Finn's other name was Apollo and with Finn’s rise to success as well as the birth of her aunt Charlotte who married into a royal family, Arden was soon forgotten and overshadowed, to everyone else that is but to Avery.He was the only other father figure she knew, running to him every time she ran away from home or had an argument with her father.He was just…always there when he was breaking and she came to rely on him quite heavily but 10 years ag