Avery's POV
My eyes swung open and the unfamiliar environment I was in became apparent and a sinking feeling settled in my stomach.
Panic surged through my body as I realized I was in Lucien's bed. Thoughts of the previous night flooded my head and I couldn't believe he took advantage of me.
I felt sore all over my body as I forced myself to sit up and I realized I was fully dressed again. I made attempt to get out of bed and just then, Lucien emerged from his dressing room, fully dressed.
He was adjusting the sleeves of his white shirt when his gaze met mine and his expression was a mix of disgust and annoyance.
"What are you still doing here?" His voice zipped through the air, stern and unwelcoming. I could tell I had to leave immediately since he was already chasing me out of the room, not talking about the fact that he just defiled me.
As I pushed myself out of bed, I looked up at him. "Lord Lucien…. "
"I said get out Avery." He scowled and I felt a wave of humiliation wash over me as I scurried out, my heart pounding in my chest, and tears welled up in my eyes as I walked towards my room.
The echoes of my footsteps reverberated through the corridor, each step a reminder I was different now and everything about me became even more worse after I got my wolf and found out about my mate.
I fell to my bed and crawled up to the corner, I couldn't help but cry as I hugged my knees tightly. I felt a mixture of shame, sadness and fear. From what I could remember, it would most definitely not be his last time.
"Get out of that room right now and come help us prepare for the guest, Avery." I heard a shout from the door and I hurried to my feet, not bothering to take my bath. I just changed my clothes as I rushed out of the room.
By the time I got out, everyone was preparing for what I don't know about. "The new Alpha Devon will be arriving to see the alpha today so everything must be perfectly in order. Do not ruin anything for us this time, rogue so just go attend to Lady Stella." The head maid yelled at me and I rushed up to Stella's room.
She was the last person I wanted to serve. She was the spoiled brat of Beta Donovan and I couldn't tell if he truly raised her.
She was the reason Lucien didn't think twice after rejecting me, he had her. I walked up to her room and immediately I stepped into her drawing room, a vase came flying at me, which missed me just by an inch.
"Ohh my goodness you filthy rogue. Would you walk like you have life and not like you're here to kill me." She barked at me and what she said didn't even make any sense but I bowed gently and apologetically. "Get me my morning coffee and I must not desire it again before I get it."
"Yes my lady." I bowed and rushed downstairs to get her coffee as she demanded. She would make life hell for me if I was even a minute late.
I hurried down to the kitchen, determined to make Stella's coffee the way she liked it, to avoid trouble and torture early in the morning.
The aroma of the coffee filled the air as I carefully carried the steaming cup towards Stella's room. Eager to get this over and done with, I rounded the corner to her room and collided with Lucien, the coffee splashing onto him as the cup fell along with the tray, shattering on the floor.
I just stood there with my mouth agape knowing it was the end of me. Lucien didn't say anything and just stared at his shirt and just then, Stella emerged from behind him. When she saw the broken pieces of the cup, she exploded.
"Are you crazy? That cup is worth more than you would ever be, you good for nothing rogue." Her cause thundered, as I fell on my knees, pleading with tears forming in my eyes.
"Oohh my goodness. You even spilled it all over Lucien. Do you have a death wish?" She screamed as her palm connected with my face and tears streamed down my cheeks.
The slap echoed through the room, leaving a stinging mark on my cheek.
"I am so sorry…" I sniffed. "It was an honest mistake." I pleaded as Stella tended to Lucien, pulling off his shirt to check his skin.
The silence that followed was suffocating, broken only by my ragged breath. I felt small and defeated like I usually felt whenever they were torturing me but now this was worse.
Lucien hadn't said a word and just stood there, looking at himself along with Stella. "Will you just kneel there? Or do you want me to step on the piece of glass and wound myself again. You piece of…"
"Let her be Stella." Lucien said quietly as he prevented her from slapping me again. "Don't waste your energy on her, I'll make sure she regrets this."
His words sent chills down my spine and I grabbed his legs pleadingly. "Please have mercy on me my lord. It was a mistake, it was very stupid of me." I pleaded with tears rolling down my eyes. I knew his punishment better than anyone in this pack and they were the worst.
"Get off me." He kicked me and my hand landed on the broken glass and it pierced into my soft skin. "You can order her around as much as you want to Stella. She'll do all the laundry in this building by hands and clean the guest room during Alpha Devon's stay. I'll deal with her more later.
Lucien walked off and Stella huffed as she walked after him and I just sat there, crying. It was over for me.
Lucien's Pov Walking down the aisle was one thing I never imagined I would do. The thought of walking down a path lined with roses and a red carpet, and holding someone in my arms beside me that I promised to love and care for, seeming like a foreign concept. It felt weird to think that I had finally been humbled. And that I had finally been brought to my knees to consider love as anything more than erotic pleasure. It still felt strange to me that I had actually gotten here. To this point? And a part of me really felt proud.I never thought I would get here and I never thought I would actually get married… I had feared I would end up living and dying as hedonistic. But I guess miracles happen, and this just happened to be mine. I was happy even though I was a bit confused and tepid. I looked courageous and smug but I was still scared internally. I feared my old habits would come back to haunt me. And I worried I wouldn't be the best husband for Avery… She was a beautiful soul and ho
Avery's PovTwo months later The crowd had gathered for the festivities and the courtyard was full of life. The entirety of Silverwood had been called for this occasion and everyone with ears had heeded the call. The streets were lined with people, stalls and activity. Musicians filled the streets with instruments and sounds. Some of the stalls filled with ale and the people were aloof and afloat. Food was bountiful. As steaks rolled over fires and men sold rottiserie chicken and smoked seasoned salmon over counters. The energy all around contagious. No single soul lost or sad or broken. Everyone, irrespective of class or status had come and were happy. All needs were met and all wants provided. It had been two months now and the town of Silverwood had gone from chaos and fighting to peace and tranquility. The people had reached a calm and began rebuilding. The torn ties, the distrust and the loss. The grieving families had been supported and helped to move on. Everyone was slowly an
Luciens's PovI held her in my hands and I just couldn't contain the feeling. The rush of energy I felt inside and the lightness in my head. Her body was soft and her motion was gentle. I held her close and she sighed quietly; her soft moans driving me crazy as we held each other. I didn't know I could feel this way. And I didn't know I could feel so in love. The state I was in wasn't one of lust or to have her in bed. I held her in my arms now and the only thing I wanted was to have her there. The only thing I wanted was to hold her close and hold her forever…Avery was everything and Avery was beautiful. Her hands around me as she tried to sink into my skin. I could feel her getting closer and edging closer. I could feel her wanting to close the gap and want to be near me. I could feel her energy matched mine and that she wanted me as much as much as I wanted her. The sparks lighting up and almost written in the skies. I really didn't want to let go but I had to. I didn't really wan
Avery's PovI woke up now in a gasp. My breathing heavy as I glanced in every direction frantically. I shot out of the chair or bed or whatever I was resting on and got up to my feet. I turned every which way, my eyes swinging from one side of the room to another. Then shooting up to the ceiling to see if what I had seen in my dream wasn't a dream. And if it had been real…It felt too real not to be and I deeply hoped it wasn't just hallucinations. As I looked up at the ceiling to find the carved statuettes but instead I saw a blank ceiling made of wood. I looked around for the white dress. With the veil and the mannequin? But I saw nothing. And now I quickly turned to look for Lucien. To see him maybe in the suit I had seen him in. To see his hair, and to see him smiling wide at me the way I had seen him. With the box in his hand. To hear his voice and hear him explain how he wanted to marry me. And how he had made plans for the wedding. And all he needed was a yes…But I turned arou
Avery's PovI woke up confused and I didn't know where I was at first. I struggled to open my eyes and also to keep my vision steady. My eyes opening slowly like curtains and my body feeling weird between my legs. I felt a sharp pain in my hips and I could feel my thighs quake slightly. I looked down at myself to see that I was in robes?... I looked up and I didn't recognise where I was. The room in front of me is different from the one I remembered. The design different from the room I last saw myself in. The windows were wide and open, the curtains were drawn to the sides to let in light. And I found myself on a bigger bed. The sheets very soft and delicate in my hands as I rested on it with my palm, turning my head sideways trying to figure out where I was.“Rise and shine princess…” I suddenly heard a voice call. And I frowned and turned slowly. My head still hurting slightly and my legs strangely weak and tired. I managed to complete the turn and I was surprised to see Lucien stan
Stella's PovIt just didn't feel right… and it just didn't make any sense. Yet it was all my reality… After all these years of hatred. To only come to realise I was hating my own blood?... That I was hating what I was supposed to love, and loving what I was supposed to hate?... The thought of being abused and used without even realising it made me shiver. I had been lied to so long and so well I couldn't even tell the difference. The lines between what was real and what was false blurring together into one vague absolute. I just couldn't believe the wool had been pulled over my eyes for so long. I had been blinded and led like a sheep and I thought I knew what I was doing? I thought I was right? I thought I was fighting for a good cause?... That my intentions were justified, and the allies were the enemies while the real enemies were actually the allies. I had gone against sensible reason and veered off wildly, and now it made me question my own self?... To believe that I was this