Avery knew people were staring, from the moment Desmond walked in with another bitch in his arms right through when Ian started flirting with her.
People were probably amazed by how a few days ago, Avery was showing everyone her relationship was fine but today, they were both with different people.
Even if Avery’s notion of love was old-fashioned, she was someone who understood the concept of payback… although kissing Ian wasn’t entirely because she wanted to get back at Desmond.
Ian was cute and attractive and he seemed pretty eager so it was like killing two birds with one stone; however… Desmond’s reaction to her totally harmless action was what she didn’t expect.
“Is this why you broke up with me? You acted like you were obsessed with me but you had someone else…really? Why… because he’s younger?” Desmond could hardly hold herself back from punching Ian, making Avery scoff in total disbelief.
“Sorry, do I know you?” Her question had the whole party taking a solid pause. Even though she knew her act was petty, it was better to ignore him than cause a scene at her bestie’s birthday party.
“What? Avery, are you seriously pretending not to know me right now?" Desmond asked, looking around, obviously embarrassed by Avery’s question as people started to chuckle and mutter to themselves.
Avery knew they wanted drama; after all, she never left the gossip column but this time, she refused to give anyone anything to talk about.
“But I’ve never seen you in my life. Sorry, you’ve got the wrong person and by the way, it’s probably because he’s more handsome. Ian… do you want to go catch some fresh air with me?” Avery turned back to Ian, who instantly nodded and stood together with Avery but Desmond tried to reach Avery after that, and she didn’t notice until a sharp cry erupted from him.
“What are you—?” Avery’s words died in her throat when she saw Ian letting Desmond go as he had just caught his hands reaching to her.
“Get a hint, man; she said to back off,” Ian rephrased for her as Desmond clutched his reddened wrist, leaving Avery wondering how Ian overpowered him.
“You son of a bitch!” Desmond said, throwing a punch to Ian’s face in retaliation and making Avery gasp in shock but rather than Ian, it was Desmond who fell back with a pained expression as if he’d just hit a solid wall. “Fuck!” He cursed under his breath.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Avery rushed over to Ian, whose terrifying expression softened after Avery reached for his face to check for bruises. “Oh shit, this is all my fault,” Avery said ruefully after seeing Ian’s busted lips.
“I’m fine,” Ian assured, holding Avery’s hands as they reached for his face, which was strangely getting hotter.
“Avy, are you serious? he broke my wrist and you’re-
“Des!” Rosie walked into the middle of the courtyard where the whole drama was unfolding and sighed. “Des, you need to leave. You’re ruining my party,” Rosie declared with an icy glare.
“Rosie,” Desmond called ruefully.
“Don’t fucking call me that. You need to leave...now! Rosie commanded and Desmond sighed, glancing briefly in Avery’s direction.
Ian, Avery, and Rosie were forced to retreat into the mansion because of the sudden attention on them and because Ian needed ice for his face. Rosie brought them over to her room, after which she left to get ice for Ian’s reddened face.
“I am so sorry. I didn’t think he’d take it that far.
“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. I wanted to keep his filthy hands away from you. Besides, his punch didn’t hurt…it felt like I had a cushion to my face, Ian shrugged.
“And yet, you have a busted lip,” Avery reminded before closing the distance to clean off the blood on the surface of his lips.
‘Shit… it’s that feeling again.’ Avery thought as she felt the point of contact tingle.
Avery thought before trying to pull away but Ian held her hand, forcing her to move close. ‘His cologne seems stronger for some reason and he’s getting warmer too.’ Avery furrowed.
The feeling intensifying to his very touch.
“Your eyes…they’re glowing again.” Avery noticed as she let Ian hold her hand for a while longer.
“I did say they glow when I’m excited,” Ian confessed and Avery pulled away, then the door opened up with Rosie reappearing with the ice pack.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” Rosie grinned before exiting the room while Avery walked over to help Ian with the ice pack.
“Honestly, you shouldn’t have challenged him like that. Seeing as you don’t know Desmond, you’re really not from around here, are you?” Avery guessed and Ian nodded, pulling off his jacket to reveal the v-neck t-shirt he had under them.
“Yeah, I came here to spend Christmas with my dad; he’s not feeling very well,” Ian informed as he gently lowered his jacket on Avery, who didn’t realise she was cold until the warm fabric clad her body.
“Thanks.” Avery mumbled, feeling grateful for Ian’s thoughtfulness. “That’s great…So, where are you from? Avery asked as she gently dabbed Ian’s reddened cheek with the ice pack.
“Raven Hills,” Ian responded, wincing as the ice pack. Avery watched as the crimson in his eyes faded.
“The one with the condition like yours?” Avery asked and Ian nodded.
“Yeah, I kinda needed to stay with him because of my condition. It’s way more complicated than glowing eyes, really,” Ian confessed, stopping Avery’s hands as they reached for his face again.
“Does it still hurt?” Avery asked in concern.
“A little but I bet it wouldn’t if you kissed the pain away.” Ian asked playfully, definitely not expecting Avery to lean in and do it.
Avery watched the colour rise into his eyes again as she softly pulled his lips with her, and Ian parted her lips further, allowing him to deepen their kiss; Avery was finally able to taste him. He tasted like vodka, so Avery could guess he’d had a few drinks of his own.
The kiss this time felt different and exhilarating, especially as the tingling sensation she felt travelled through her entire body and settled at her lower belly until she felt liquid pool between her legs and when they finally stopped to catch their breath, Ian lowered his head on her shoulders.
“Still hurting?” Avery wondered and Ian shook his head.
“No, it’s just… it’s driving me crazy; I want more.” Ian confessed silently, surprising Avery.Ian’s confession had her heart pounding so loudly in her chest, she feared he’d hear.
Ian was a young man visiting the city for Christmas, and they might never see each other again so maybe it’s okay to indulge him a little, Avery thought, before playfully moving his curls away from his face so he could see his green eyes.
“I don’t mind.” Avery shrugged, then watched the red in Ian’s eyes come alive as he slammed his lips right back to hers, holding her neck in place as he hungrily kissed her lips.
Then he paused to ask. “How far am I allowed to go?”
“I’m not sure how far d’you wanna take it.” Avery answered as she watched Ian’s eyes twinkle in excitement.
Avery realised maybe indulging Ian had nothing to do with him being new to the city; maybe it’s just her savouring the feeling of being wanted even if it’s brief. Avery enjoyed seeing Ian lay bare his feral desire, the need to have her.
He’s just a stranger anyway; let’s just enjoy this and forget it ever happened, Avery decided, as Ian set her whole body ablaze with need.
“Mnngh.” Avery bit back a moan as Ian kissed her down to her neck after dropping his jacket hanging on her shoulders, and as he kissed her again, he moved her to the door, which he locked from behind as he continued kissing her, allowing each other a taste of the drink they had, and though it was merely an aftertaste, Avery felt drunk.
Ian’s strong, hot hands trailed up her thigh, drawing her dress along with them until pooled at her waist.
Avery couldn’t hold back her moan when Ian’s fingers found her core, shifting her panties after slightly rubbing her wetness.
She slammed her head back against the door as she felt his intrusion.
A finger, then two, until her entrance was stretched open. Ian returned his lips to hers in an attempt to muffle her growing moans, and then Ian’s fingers began moving inside her, thrusting and letting her buckle against the door.
“Ian,” Avery struggled to say after Ian momentarily released her tongue he had wrapped around his and as he broke their kiss, Avery inhaled sharply to replace her lost air, then Ian flipped her over before plunging his fingers he had briefly withdrawn right back inside her.
“Argh…mnngh.” Avery felt her whole body cave to his control until he paused all of a sudden to lift the rest of her dress to reveal her lacy red underwear.
Avery shuddered in anticipation when Ian pulled her by the waist, resting her backside against the thick, hardened bulge in his pants and when she heard him unzipping his pants, she felt her insides clench with need.
“Mngh,” Avery gasped as she felt his hot hardness against her core.
Then let out a loud gasp as Ian sinks his entire length into her. She knew he was thick but she didn’t expect to be stretched out to her limit; any more and it would hurt.
“Fuck... it feels incredible being inside you,” Ian confessed as he gently moved, while Avery felt her leg tremble to the unexpected exploding pleasure; she wasn’t sure she could hold out for long, not with his length that almost felt like they were hitting the back of her throat at every thrust.
‘For a guy so young, he sure did pack a bunch.’ Avery thought, almost gritting her teeth as her body buckled hard against the door in sync with his sloppy movement.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you.” Ian moaned but Avery was too unhinged to hear or make sense of what he said as Ian continued to thrust harder and harder until her legs gave out.
“Shit,” Ian caught her as Avery almost fell.
“There’s a perfectly laid bed just right behind you, y’know.” Avery pointed out and Ian chuckled, lifting her into his arms and only letting her go when her back hit Rosie’s soft bed. The loud music from downstairs reminded Avery the party was still in full swing and although it felt like she was doing something bad, she really didn’t seem to care.
Perhaps every moment with Ian would have been perfect if she hadn’t woken up to the news of her father’s collapse.
-----------
Avery groaned as a persistent ringtone forced her eyes open, and because it didn’t sound like hers, she was forced to drag herself up against the headboard and reach to the bedside table to get some water out of habit but realised her water wasn’t where it usually was, and instead, a lamp was sitting there.It took Avery more than a second to load the previous day’s event, her breakup, and a very wild night with a completely random stranger.The warm body next to hers reminded her of her actions the night before and her brain screamed in total disbelief.‘Shit, seriously, Avery, what were you thinking?’ Avery mentally scolded herself as reality checked in. It felt like her warning alarms, which would normally have gone off after meeting someone like Ian, took a vacation.She was always so guarded with other people but strangely, it wasn’t the same with him… was it because he’s a stranger or is it something completely different? Avery wasn’t sure as she picked herself up from the bed a
Ian felt his wolf stir wildly as the looming scent of his mate faded in the air, leaving Storm restless, and that forced Ian’s eyes open, and while he hoped his mate was still right there next to him, the cold bed was the terrifying evidence that she’d been out of the bed a while. Ian shot out of bed, drawing back his curly hair before approaching the bathroom, hoping by some miracle his mate would be in the shower, even if that was merely a gullible wish of his, since his super hearing would have picked it up if she was. Gathering whatever faith he could muster, Ian approached the door, hesitating before pulling the handle but as he thought it, she wasn’t there. “She could be downstairs.” Ian renewed his hope and dashed downstairs while struggling to put his shirt back on as before reaching the last step, hoping by some miracle she was right there with her friend, who was Derick’s sister. Ian, on reaching the last step before climbing down the stairs, paused and arranged his m
‘I hope I didn't have any weird looks on.’ Avery wondered to herself after a quick stop at the restroom to recompose herself.‘Fuck Avy, of all people you could have chosen to sleep with, it had to be your fucking brother! What shitty luck you have. Avery mentally scolded herself as she walked out of the bathroom, hoping she'd be able to handle breakfast with Ian around. Judging by the shocked look on his face as their eyes met, it was obvious to Avery that he wasn't aware either and more than that, Avery found her mind rounding back to the fact that her father had another child, with that bitch no less. Someone who could be responsible for her mother's death, anger seeped into her skin, replacing the shock of their unexpected revelation. Avery knew her father's affair had been going on for a very long time, but to think it was old enough for them to have a 22-year-old child. Nothing could have prepared her for that. Being 29 years of age, she deduced the affair had started when s
Eloise couldn't be more glad to have her son over from the pack. Since she went against her father's wishes to marry someone who could inherit the pack, Ian ended up as the collateral; she didn't hate the deal though. Ian was better off in the pack than in the city, jam-packed with humans with so little knowledge about their existence. Eloise also knew her father, Gideon, could take care of Ian better than she ever could, but it didn't affect her love and affection for her son and while Ian was oblivious to it, Eloise tried her best to know everything she could know about him, down to the fact that he was yet to have his first rut.Although he has a human father, Ian was born an alpha; it wasn't surprising since his grandfather was one, so when his wolf awakened at 17 with its characteristic red eyes, it wasn’t unexpected, if anything his grandfather wished desperately he’d turn out as one.But unlike every other alpha Eloise had met since she grew up knowing quite a few, she was a
Avery only wanted some proper peace and quiet upon reaching home; she only wanted some time for herself to think about everything her father wanted of her but that turned out to be a far-fetched dream when she returned home to see her ex-boyfriend in her apartment.Since she went straight to Rosie’s birthday party after work and stayed the night at her place, she had no time to come home and change her apartment password, which she once shared with Desmond.“You have some nerve coming back here!” Avery gritted her teeth, a hint of disbelief in her tone as she passed the entryway to the sitting room. This was her home, the place she had worked her ass off to keep since her father had tried every possible way to bring her back home, even if he ended up getting what he wanted, it was still her apartment.The messy couch and the loud TV in the background made Avery realise Desmond spent the night at her apartment.Desmond, on her appearance, returned the wine to her fridge and walked clo
Jasmine scent, ivory skin, round icy blue eyes, lofty caramel hair that smells like vanilla-scented shampoo, 5’7, Nubian nose.Ian found himself struggling with the random images of this particular woman, her messy hair sprawled on the bed under him, her subtle melodious moans filling the room and leaving him yearning for more.The pure euphoria he felt as her thin hands wrapped that carefully around his neck, dug into his back as she cried out in ecstasy, overwhelmed by pleasure as her orgasm raked through her, leaving her squeezing him so tight, he could lose himself in her.He wanted to feel it again, that pleasure-wrecked expression on her face as he pounded her ferociously and without mercy, the way her ivory skin turned pale red as once he pressed down too hard.Her weak hoarse voice as she pleads to get a few minutes rest as he's ready to go again, clouded by her alluring jasmine scent that seems to control him like some kind of drug.While a part of him screams that he shouldn
‘Fuck’ Avery internally cussed as her eyes fell on a quiet, startled Ian; he looked quite flushed, but probably out of embarrassment or he might just be running a fever. However, Avery could care less about that. Although she made a promise to herself to not let her anger control her and just played it cool, she ended up losing her temper again the moment Michael nervously walked up to her, fidgeting as he reported to her something she never saw coming after she had barely settled down in her old room, which was in the middle of her mother’s room and her father’s room.Since Eloise now shares a room with her father, Avery tried to avoid the awkward situation of running into her by moving to her mother’s room and putting at least a room distance between them. Well…that was the plan until she heard from Michael that Eloise had her mother’s room renovated so Ian could stay there.There were dozens of other rooms in her father’s mansion, but the fucking whore just had to touch her moth
Avery compromising with a forced smile and playful gaze was completely unexpected after Ian settled at the dining table for dinner with his family.Ian was quick to understand the situation the moment he settled in: the fact that his mother was his father’s mistress and the fact that Avery didn’t like her very much.It was a pretty ugly situation to be in considering the fact that Avery was his mate, which is supposed to be impossible because mate bonds don’t exist with people who have blood ties so Ian knew something was terribly wrong somewhere.He couldn’t exactly ask his mother if she cheated on her father, who was her mate, which was probably the real reason she stayed his mistress even though he’s got a wife.Which is one thing with mates; werewolves have a single mate for a lifetime. Of course, they can choose to be with someone who isn’t their fated pair but it can’t be the same with mates.Eloise also had other prospects; she still chose his father, Finn, her mate, because o
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