Chapter 17: PunishmentAvyaane POVI shuffle to the back of the room, keeping my head down, and murmur an apology. I see Alison across the aisle as I settle into my chair. With a menacing look in her eyes, she's giving me the cold shoulder. I force myself to look away, swallow hard.The remainder of the morning seems to fly by. My mind is too busy processing everything that has happened to be able to concentrate on the lectures. I'm always aware of how vulnerable I am because of the pain in my lip.My nerves are jangled to the absolute breaking point by lunchtime. I think about hiding out in the library, but then I remember I forgot to have breakfast. My stomach starts to growl. I walk reluctantly to the cafeteria.As I walk in, the volume overwhelms me like a physical force. There are hundreds of discussions that cross over, interspersed with laughter and tray clatter. I search the room for a secure spot to sit. Alison's group is occupying my normal location. Encircled by their fans,
Chapter 18Author's PovThe sun sat low in the sky, making the clouds pink and gold. Alison's cherry red convertible sped along the empty road, the wind sweeping across her blond hair. She sat behind the wheel with a victorious smile on her lips and her eyes hidden behind enormous trendy sunglasses. "Can you imagine it, girls?" Alison's voice came out clearly and sharply above the wind. "In a matter of months I'll be mated to Chad. It'll be the event of the decade." Her backseat buddies cooed and shrieked in response, creating a chorus of sycophantic praise. "Oh, Alison, it's going to be amazing!" "You'll be the most stunning bride ever!" "I can't wait to see Chad's face when he sees you!" Kate, the redhead, sat quietly in the passenger seat, her fingers trembling nervously in her lap. She glanced out at the passing scenery, trying to overlook the knot of worry in her stomach. The car approached a set of stunning, imposing wrought-iron gates. They swung softly open as the car app
Chapter 19: Kindness CageAvyaane's POV My eyes spring wide in the darkness as I awaken before morning. I momentarily lose track of my whereabouts. Then reality descends, oppressive and weighty. I'm at their residence. within their realm.The only sound in the room is the nightstand clock's gentle ticking. I lie very motionless, breathing heavily, listening for any noise from the other side of the house. Nothing. I guess the brothers are still sleeping.I swing my legs over the side of the bed very slowly and cautiously. My bare feet feel cold on the frigid floor, and a chill runs up my spine. The faint groan of the floors beneath me makes me wince as I stand.I have to do something, anything, to divert my attention. to put an end to the never-ending cycle of anxiety and terror that threatens to consume me. My gaze lands on the dust that is accumulating on the shelves. That's the best place to begin of all.I clean carefully, getting absorbed in the act of repetition. Clean the shelv
Chapter 21: The Price of AttentionAvyaane's POVThe bell rang, its sharp tone cutting through the classroom noise like a knife. I shuddered at the sudden boom; the events of the morning had already blasted a hole in my nerves. All around me, students were packing their bags, and I could hear the zippers closing and chairs scraping the floor. I just stood there, fisted firmly in my lap, not knowing just what to do.Kate lingered by me, her presence both comforting and confusing. Without saying anything, neither she nor I continued to the following class. The silence between us grew heavier and heavier with each passing minute, pressing down on me like a real weight. By the time we got to our third lesson, the worry was really getting to us."Why are you following me?" I let out a roar and realized right away how hurtful my words had been. It was strange for me to be noticed, much less to have others want to hang out with me.Kate's eyes flickered from mine to an area just above my s
Chapter 22: The Past's ShadowsAvyaane's POVWith a loud thud, the lavatory door closed behind us, drowning out the cacophonous din from the café. The sound of my shirt soaking wet on the ground was the only thing that broke the startling calm. Kate led me to the sink with delicate hands, treating me as though I may break at any second.I winced when I caught a sight of myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, orange juice had left a sticky path down my front, and my eyes were wide with a mix of embarrassment and shock. I looked like a wreck, which is exactly how I felt.Kate's mirror met mine, a whirlwind of emotions on her face. Her eyes were flashing with a rage I hadn't expected to see, and her jaw was clinched tight. She murmured, "I can't believe Alison did that," and reached for several paper towels. "It's so childish, so cruel."I laughed sharply, the sound resonating hard through the tiled chamber. "She's your friend, isn't she?"Kate winced as though I had smacked her, her
Chapter 23: The Danger of DeceptionKate's POVThe last bell rung. Its high-pitched sound sliced through the classroom, announcing end of school. Kate heard kids excitedly raising their voices as they filed out. She sat there, unwilling to go up. Her gaze trailed Avy as she made agitated movements to pack her suitcase.Avy shook her hands a little as she closed her rucksack. Kate observed the shadowy areas beneath her eyes and the way her shoulders drooped, seemingly bearing an unseen burden. Though the words stuck in her throat, she wanted to reach out and offer some consolation.Avy said, "See you tomorrow," avoiding eye contact with Kate.Kate forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, see you."Kate felt a twinge of regret as Avy left. She ought to have done and said more. However, given that Avy appeared resolute in keeping her at a distance, what could she do?Now alone, Kate sighed. With her elbows resting on the desk, she cupped her head in her palms. Her stomach turned at the idea of
Chapter 24: A Taste for Normalcy Avyaane's Viewpoint I followed Blair out of school. My heart raced; each beat was a powerful reminder of my weakness. The hallways were now deserted, with our footsteps booming off the lockers like a funeral procession. "Bye, Kate," I muttered. I could not look her in the eyes. I couldn't stand the confusion, hurt, and unanswered questions. Kate nodded. Her face was pallid, a canvas for concern and something more. Betrayal? She seemed to want to say something. However, she didn't. The stillness between us stretched like a gap I didn't know how to cross. Blair's hand rested on my lower back. It burned through my flimsy shirt, a symbol of ownership. I flinched as my body betrayed me. He feigned not to notice, but his fingers tensed slightly. A warning. We walked to the parking lot. Blair's automobile sat alone, sleek and black. Expensive. It was a sharp reminder of the world he came from, one that I could never completely belong to. "Get in," he sa
Chapter 25: Transformation's EdgeAvyaane's POVI awoke to sunlight pouring in through the dusty cabin windows. I felt pain in parts of my body I didn't even realize could hurt. Memories from last night's events resurfaced in quick bursts. The hands of Blair. The mouth that belongs to him. His weight. I shoved the memories aside. It was overwhelming to handle.Blair was already awake and wearing new clothing. He had to have carried a bag. He handed me a paper bag, the bottom soiled with grease stains."He grunted, 'Breakfast'," replied he. "Quickly, move faster. "We're running behind schedule."I gestured in agreement, unable to rely on my vocal cords. I felt a raw sensation in my throat. I quickly consumed an egg sandwich, still warm. I felt uneasy as it went down, but I still managed to swallow it. When would I have the opportunity to eat again?The restroom was tiny and dirty. One lone light bulb illuminated the cracked wallpaper. I threw freezing water onto my face. I stayed away
Chapter 111: Eternal LoveAvyaane pov As I stood on the balcony, looking out over the vast expanse of the pack lands, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of thankfulness and astonishment. The sun was just starting to set, painting the sky in a stunning array of reds and golds, and the gentle breeze carried the familiar scents of home - the earthy richness of the forest, the sweet fragrance of the blooming wildflowers, the faint hint of pine that had always been a comforting presence in my life. I felt completely at peace in moments like these, when the world appeared to slow down and all of the noise and commotion of daily life faded away. This area, this pack, and this family. It was where I belonged, where I had discovered the unconditional love and acceptance I had sought for so long. A gentle giggle from behind me grabbed my attention, and I turned to see Chad stroll out onto the balcony, a playful grin on his lovely face. "Penny for your thoughts, my love?" He muttered, throwi
Chapter 110: Family Avyaane povAnd we were. In the weeks and months that followed, the darkness of Allison's breakdown vanished, giving way to the dazzling, unshakeable joy that filled our lives. The triplets thrived, becoming more beautiful and lively with each passing day, and Chad's commitment to them - and to me - appeared to grow stronger every time. The rest of our family took note of the transformation as well. Logan, Killian, and Blair, who had previously viewed Allison's presence in Chad's life with a mixture of wariness and hatred, Now she welcomed our growing family with open arms, adoring the babies with a zeal that touched my heart. "Look at you, all grown up and starting a family of your own," Killian had taunted one day as he cradled our daughter. "I never thought I'd see the day." Chad had chuckled, his arm wrapped securely around my waist. "Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable," he had said. "You three are next in line, you know." The accompanying laughing and frie
Chapter 109: Closure and New LifeAvyaane pov Finally, the day came. As I held our baby daughter in my arms, the intensity of my love and appreciation threatened to overwhelm me. Her tiny, flawless features—the button nose, the delicate rosebud lips, the thick, dark lashes that fanned across her plump cheeks—filled me with a sensation of astonishment that I had never felt before. When I looked up, Chad's eyes were filled with tears of joy, his gaze riveted on the small infant cradled in my embrace. He reached out and carefully touched the curve of our daughter's cheek, his touch gentle and reverent. "She's... she's perfect, Avy," he said softly, his voice full with emotion. "Absolutely perfect." I felt a flood of pride and love wash over me, so I leaned into his touch, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his presence. After all of our hardships and tribulations to get to this point, finally having our family together and whole was more than I could have asked for. My heart swelled as
Chapter 108 :HomecomingAvyaane pov "I'm glad you're here, Avy," he muttered. "We all are." I nodded and moved my gaze over to where Chad was standing, watching the reunion with a soft, almost reverent face. Our eyes connected, and I knew I'd made the proper decision. This was where I belonged, with him and his family—my family. As time passed, it became evident that this return was not without difficulties. Allison, Chad's on-and-off-again girlfriend, was not pleased with my homecoming and made no secret of it. "I can't believe you're just letting her waltz back in here, after everything she's done," she snapped one evening, her eyes narrowing with anger as she stared at Chad. Chad, to his credit: stayed calm, his voice steady as he responded. "Avyaane is my dear companion, Allison. She and our child belong here, alongside me. I will not turn my back on them again." Allison's lips tightened into an angry line, but she said nothing more and walked away with a huff. I watched her leav
Chapter 107: Second Chance Avyaane pov The subtle click of the church door shutting behind me echoed in my ears, drowning out the quiet murmuring of the guests inside. My heart hammered in my chest as I stood there, grasping the fabric of my dress, torn between the life I had chosen and the one offered to me. Just moments earlier, I had been standing at the altar, ready to devote my life to Ethan, to start a new future with him. A future that was secure, straightforward, and free of the complexities that had plagued my past. A future that, while not what I had hoped for, seemed like it could bring me happiness. And now, in only a few heartbeats, That well planned future had been turned on its head. Because standing in front of me, with desperation and hope engraved into every line of his face, was the man I had loved with every fiber of my being - and still loved, if I was honest with myself. Chad. The sight of him storming through the church doors and yelling to halt the wedding ha
# Chapter 106: Last-Minute RescueChad pov The road stretched out before Chad, a ribbon of tarmac cutting across the thick jungle. His hands held the steering wheel so firmly that his knuckles became white, and his gaze was locked on the horizon, as if he could will his destination into view with sheer willpower. Avyaane was getting married. The words rang in his thoughts like a constant drumbeat, matching the pounding of his heart. Married. To somebody else. To a human who will never completely understand her or offer her the life she deserves. Chad's jaw clinched as he imagined this unknown man - Ethan - holding Avyaane, petting her, and nurturing the child he should have had. Their child. He had no idea the youngster existed until only a few hours before.Guilt and regret rushed over him in waves. How had he let things get this far? How had he allowed Avyaane slip away, making her believe she had to face this alone? "I should have fought for her," Chad mumbled, barely audible abov
Avyaane pov Blair's face was lighted by the gentle glow of the computer screen in his darkened room. His fingers paused over the keyboard, hesitating for a little minute before he began typing: *Hello, Avy. * *How do you feel? Is the small one causing you any problems? Blair pushed send and leaned back in his chair, running his hand through his unkempt hair. It was late (or early, depending on your perspective), but he knew Avyaane would be up. She reported in her last email that the baby had been really active at night. Sure enough, a response came in almost immediately: *Blair! I'm fine, just sleepy. Your niece or nephew appears to believe my ribs is a soccer ball. *How are things doing on your end? Blair's lips curved into a faint smile. Even through the impersonal medium of email, he could hear Avyaane's voice and imagine the sarcastic twist of her lips as she complained about the baby's antics. *Same old, same old," he texted back. *Logan is still on his redemption trip, Killian
Chapter 103: New BeginningsAyvyaane povWillow Creek, a small town, was not at all like the pack areas I had left behind. Nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills, it was a community where everyone knew everything about everyone else, and outsiders were received with equal parts curiosity and distrust. It had been three months since I left the quadruplets and my previous life behind. Three months spent creating a new identity and learning to navigate the human world on my own. And after three months of watching my body transform, the small life inside me becomes stronger by the day. I had found work at the neighborhood bookstore, a little business that smelled of old paper and possibilities. The owner, a kind-hearted woman named Margaret, had taken one look at me: alone, pregnant, and plainly out of my element, and gave me not only a job, but also a home in the small apartment above the business. It wasn't a lot, but it was mine. A location where I could start over, where I c
Avyaane povKillian's gaze became gentler. "I am aware that you have," he mentioned. "And perhaps you are correct. However, Avy, at what price? To what extent are you prepared to give up part of yourself in the hope that Logan might transform?"His words had a strong impact on me, leading me to face the questions I had been ignoring. To what extent was I ready to sacrifice? Was it right to make Killian wait while I sorted it out?"I confessed, barely whispering, "I'm not sure." "I simply understand that I must make an attempt."Killian nodded, his face adorned with a melancholic smile. "I comprehend," he responded. "And I'll be here, Avy. No matter what happens, I'll be here."As he pulled me into a hug, I felt a wave of gratitude and love wash over me. Whatever happened with Logan, I knew Killian would always be my rock.The next day, I sought out Chad. Of all the quadruplets, he was the one I knew least. He'd always been on the periphery, quiet and watchful. I found him in the train