{~~Avery Sterling~~}If Shawn hadn’t shown up to tell me that my shift was over, I would have continued working well into the night without realizing the time. He strolled into my office with his usual easy going demeanor, giving me a playful nudge. “Hey, workaholic, your shift is over. Time to pack up.”I glanced at the clock on my computer screen and was genuinely surprised to see that it was already eight o’clock. The hours had slipped away while I was immersed in a mountain of paperwork, reports, and endless emails. “Thanks, Shawn. I didn’t even notice,” I said, flashing him a grateful smile. He chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. “I figured. You’ve been in the zone all day. Just wanted to make sure you weren’t planning to spend the night here.”“Believe me, I wouldn’t if I could avoid it,” I replied, shutting down my computer and gathering my belongings. I stuffed my bag with my laptop, files, and a few personal items, making sure not to leave anything important behind. As
{~~Logan Grey~~}What a long day. I stretched my bones, cracking my neck from one side to the other. The snapping sound was very relieving. My stuff was packed, and I'd changed into the spare clothes I brought. People might think it's a hassle to change out of your scrubs each night before heading home, but sometimes I just liked to do that. I stepped out of the hospital building, umbrella in hand, as the rain started to pour in earnest. The steady rhythm of the drops against the fabric provided a comforting background noise as I descended the steps. My thoughts drifted briefly to Avery, who was still inside. Maybe I should go back and check on her. But then again, she wasn’t my responsibility. We had our issues, and I had my reasons for keeping my distance.The parking lot was a sheen of wet asphalt, reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights. I made my way toward my car, thinking about what I might have for dinner. A warm meal, perhaps something hearty to counteract the chill of
{~~Avery Sterling~~}I noticed it late. It wasn't until we had turned into a street that I realized we weren't going to Logan's house. But if I was being kidnapped, this late realization would have fucked me up. Ryan took me over to his place, navigating through the heavy rain with practiced ease. His house was closer than mine, a welcome reprieve from the storm that had already soaked me to the bone. The rain beat a steady tattoo on the roof of the car, the rhythmic sound almost soothing in its constancy. We pulled into his garage, the sound of the rain diminishing slightly as the automatic door closed behind us.Ryan’s garage was spacious, large enough to fit up to six cars comfortably. This knowledge would come to fuck me over only seconds after I made this realization. As I stepped out of the car, grateful for the shelter, I heard another vehicle pulling in beside us. At first I thought it was Gareth since I know he lives with Ryan, but that was not the case. I swear I might be
{~~Logan Grey~~}After our initial discussion and dinner, Avery excused herself once more. I thought she'd be back.Ryan sat me down in a comfortable area of the living room, a space filled with the comforting hum of a home well-lived in. We waited for Avery to show up, but as the minutes ticked by, it became clear she wasn’t coming. “She’s tired. Let her sleep,” Ryan said, his tone final. He was always so bossy. Acting like he owned me, and like he was always right. Never wrong about a single thing. Which is untrue.“Why the fuck did you bring her to your house?” I demanded, the frustration and confusion boiling over.“She called me. Someone slashed her tires and broke every window in her car.” Ryan’s words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What do you mean by somebody slashed her tires and smashed every window in her car? What in the fuck?”“Exactly what I said. I can't imagine why someone would do that.”I hadn’t had the faintest clue that she had been going through something so s
{~~Avery Sterling~~}This was the first nightmare where I was standing in front of a crowd speaking my words of truth. Words I hadn't written, but I listened to them as my physical body narrated them.“In the shadow of your light, I stand,A figure dimmed by your grand command.You walk in brilliance, proud and free,While darkness wraps itself 'round me. Each step I take is less my own,Bound by a fate I've never known.Your laughter echoes, bright and clear,As I reside in constant fear. The world sees you, a blazing star,While I remain a distant spar.Your achievements, loud and grand,Leave my efforts lost in sand. My voice is but a whispered plea,Drowned by your symphony.My dreams, they pale, they fade, they fall,Overshadowed by your thrall. I trace your steps, a weary path,Haunted by a silent wrath.For every glance that turns your way,Is a reminder of my dismay. You shine so bright, you blind my eyes,And in your light, my spirit dies.I am the shadow, ever near,Invisibl
{~~Avery Sterling~~} Love, that emotion is such a hoax. Actually, it’s not. It’s beautiful with the right person, ugly with the wrong person. But I can’t have the beauty or the ugliness when my love is unrequited. When I first met him, the Medic alpha in training, I was enamored. Mostly due to the fact that our pack has never had a medic alpha before. They’re usually assigned to the bigger, and more popular packs, ours was none of that. I was delighted. At the age of eleven, I was getting into the phase of having crushes, and the thirteen-year-old medic alpha was right in my sight. He was smart, charming, too good to be training to work in a pack like ours. No offense. I know my father worked hard but we had to be honest. I hoped he’d notice me, and we’d become friends. Move from friends to lovers. Yes, I had it all planned out in my head. I knew when we’d get married and have children, and blah blah blah. I was learning what it meant to love, and he was befriending my sister. Ne
{~~Avery Sterling~~} I said yes. I’m weak for him, I know. I’m disappointed in myself too. The more I thought about being his wife, the less the consequences seemed to be. Two weeks went by and we were set to be married. I’d had all my stuff moved here, Logan gave me a spot in his house to put them in. A large room. Not the master bedroom. I’m not sure why, but slowly it started to dawn on me. I am the definition of desperation. Who gets engaged to the man who spent half his life fawning over her sister? I must be crazy. I stared at myself in the mirror. We’re not having a big wedding. Logan’s invited his family, and my family is going to serve as witnesses. We’re having a court wedding. I tried to suggest something else but his response was chilling. Still, that didn’t stop me. First loves suck. I’m not ava. Why did I think him deciding to marry me would... this is so stupid. I don’t have to go through with it. My parents only paid for my fees but that’s all they did for me. I d
{~~Avery Sterling~~} The next morning I woke up feeling like my body was tired, and just in need of more sleep. I’m still Avery Sterling. Logan wanted to keep his last name for himself. This is truly the most humiliating thing I’ve done. I got out of bed, unable to sit with the shame but still hopeful that I could turn this thing around. I did my regular morning stretch, checked the time, and noted that I had two hours until I started my first shift as a medic alpha’s nurse. One who is also my roommate. I wanted to smile, but the shame was still there. I did this. No one forced me. I could have left. I could have left and told them all to fuck themselves. Kept some semblance of self-worth. I sighed and finished the last of my stretches. I went into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and washing my face. The girl in the mirror is beautiful. The girl in the mirror is worth it. I am worth a lot more than what I was given. It is not my fault they didn’t pay attention to me. I had to go t