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.
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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 messy ha
‘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
The moment Eloise turned her back and Avery returned to her room, she immediately reached out to her assistant, trying to verify the piece of document Eloise had dropped into her personal email account, silently hoping that it was just a terrible prank she schemed to get what she wanted.But Avery was wrong.“I apologise, Avy, but the document has been confirmed to be one hundred percent authentic, verified by St. James Hospital.” Lewis's response after several minutes of pacing her room while she waited for her call crushed her beyond repair.Avery was overwhelmed by the memories of her time with her father.The time, she often pointed fingers.“Why the fuck did you cheat on Mom? You abandoned Mom?” Avery found herself recalling how she shouted at her father after she found out about Eloise’s existence.“Do you even give a flying fuck about me?” She remembered her harsh words to Finn after running away from home as a teenager. She remembered everything she said to him and how he put
Chapter 32Ian's eyes immediately fluttered open the moment he felt the bond between him and Avery waver; for a minute he felt like his mate bond was gone and that didn’t sit well with Storm at all and seeing that his mother was talking to Avery, he could feel it that she was up to something again.Eloise flinched hard after Ian landed his fist into the nearest wall, leaving cracks in it.“I thought I warned you, don’t get in my way, Mom… I mean it.” Ian watched Eloise gulp at his threat. While he wished he could stroll past Eloise to get what she was trying to hide, Storm wouldn’t stop giving him hell about leaving to see Avery right that moment since he kept feeling that something was wrong.Taking one last glance at the drawers, Eloise hid the envelope she walked in with. Ian turned sharply to find Avery, who by her scent had retired by her bedroom.“Avery, can I talk to you for a minute?” Ian asked after a couple of knocks on her door but there was no response from her. “Avy, I k
Eloise kept the shameful circumstances about Avery’s birth to herself despite patiently waiting for the time to tear her apart with it because of her promise to Finn.So, she was a bastard and yet she took every chance she got to remind her of Ian’s birth. She might not have directly called Ian a bastard, but she sure was indirectly referring to it.Every time, Avery tends to remind her to know her place and tuck her greed, not to covet anything Finn owns since it wholly belonged to her since she was the only legitimate child of her father without knowing her own mother cheated.When Eloise received the DNA test results, she wanted to cackle out loud, as she was overwhelmed with both anger and annoyance, which she couldn’t hide from Finn as she challenged him about it.But it was as if he anticipated a day like that would come and sat her down, taking his time to explain.“You’re right, Eloise isn’t my daughter; I didn’t know until she was six, an attempted kidnapping from her kinderg
‘Finn Archer pass away at 63 years after getting married to his long time girlfriend Eloise Reign’ The headline for the day was something very painful for Avery to see.She was used to be being the headline with her father but not like this.The funeral was a quiet one, keeping it only between family and friends. Avery felt dead inside all through the ceremony, even with Rosie and Damian close to her and assuring her everything was going to be just fine, she felt like a part of her was covered with that golden coffin, lowered down gently into the earth and covered.And though she was shattering, she was in charge of preparations for the funeral as well as welcoming the guests all which lasted an entire day, and now, Avery, Eloise and Ian sat in front of Finn’s lawyer, as he got ready to read out his testament.“I apologise that this had to be done today, I understand that you’re all still greiving him, I’m really sorry for your loss” Mr. Beckett, who was also a legal advisor for Finn
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
Ian 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 indifferent when Fi
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
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 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