LaurenWe showered after our morning adventure, and I noticed it worked like magic. I was no longer gloomy or worried anymore. I was relieved. I felt the stress and fear leave me, and soon I started wondering what I was afraid of, to begin with. I packed some clothes since Xavier said we would spend just five days in Avalora. I knew my father would be mad if I did not stay longer, but I was working now. He should understand.We headed downstairs to eat. It was already noon, and it was no longer breakfast. Elowen was wearing Soren's shirt, her hair disbelieved. I did not need to guess why. Landon was in. the living room on his computer, but he looked uneasy.'Hey, Landon," I said, and he looked up at me. He had a black eye, and I knew it would be weird if I did not ask him how he got it."Who punched you?" I asked him, and he looked at Xavier. Normally, that would seem like Xavier had done it, but I knew he didn't."Work,” He said, his eyes on Xavier. He seemed a bit annoyed, and the
Xavier Landon's countenance was baffling. He had called me after we left the meeting with Abel, asking me to come clean about the incident at Oakhaven, but there was nothing to tell him. My hesitation to search for Lauren when he voiced concern was why he remained suspicious. Suddenly, tension was everywhere, and somehow, it affected Lauren too.I knew she twisted and turned all through the night. She woke up screaming, crying, pleading that I shouldn't leave her. I did not know what to do. I had hoped my meeting with Abel would yield something fruitful; maybe he could put aside his hatred for me and make an exception for me and lauren. I knew it was far-fetched, but I had to try the peaceful approach first. I didn't know what to do. While I sat at the kitchen island eating the sandwiches, Lauren fixed me; I got a call from Levi and had to excuse myself.“Hello," I said, and Levi sounded like he was driving with his window down."Are you at home," he said, a tinge of urgency in his
Xavier I pulled Lauren into my arms and kissed her fiercely."Stay alive for me, Lauren. Stay alive for my sake. Give me a reason to want to come home," I pleaded with her, my head against hers.She held on to my shirt in front tightly. Her hand shaking, her body quivering. Her heart breaking. "Please, Xavier. I love you do not die on me. Do not let them win. I am begging you. Because if you die, I will follow you. I swear it. I will. I will jump off the cliff after you, and you know I am not a cat. I don’t have nine lives. Just this one," She said, and I pulled her into my arms.I wanted to say goodbye properly, but I knew somewhere that Darius would soon be on his sway. The further away she is, the better. We headed down the stairs, and I carried her bags. Placing it into the SUV. Jacob got into the driver's seat to take her away. They will have to drive to Avalora to be untraceable.“ Take care of my family, Jacob. Take care of my mate," I told him, and his eyes widened with re
LaurenI cried most of the ride. I would sleep and wake up, call for Xavier. Jacob felt sorry for me, and halfway to Avalora, I started running a fever. I didn't care much for myself; all I could think of was what had happened to Xavier."Do you think he will be alright?" I asked Jacob, my voice trembling. He nodded, trying to reassure me, but I could tell he was hiding the truth. Despite his efforts, I allowed him to believe he had fooled me.The hours on the road felt like an eternity, the engine's hum and the rhythmic thud of tires against the pavement providing a melancholic backdrop to my racing thoughts. The night was dark and unrelenting, a reflection of the turmoil in my heart. I clutched my hand to my chest, Xavier's image engraved in my mind's eyes, a cherished image from happier times, and whispered my prayers into the darkness, hoping he could hear me wherever he was."This is unfair," I murmured to myself, wiping away my tears with trembling fingers. "I will not tell anyo
LaurenI sat on the patio watching the sunset. Since I came to Avalora I have refused to visit people or talk to anyone. There was no joy in my heart, so it was pointless. My mother tried to get me out a bit, but I refused. I was a bit sick, but it was mainly because of my poor diet. I wasn't eating or sleeping well. I was a mess. Still staring at the sunset, my mother left the house with her basket of tomatoes. Usually, she would go to the exchange market with my father, but She went alone this time. I didn't bother to ask. I didn't care. My father came to sit beside me on the bench, and then he sighed."How are you?" He asked, and I looked at him."I am fine, Daddy," I said, and he chuckled painfully."I never knew a day would come when you would lie to me, Lauren. Only a fool will believe you are fine,' he said, and I was silent. I had been doing a lot of lying lately. Trying to cover up, trying to keep it together, but every time, things just came bursting out the seams. I was t
LaurenThe return of network service to my phone at the break of dawn was the assuring sign that we were finally back in Riverbend. My heart was in my mouth, afraid of the outcome. I still did not know what my father and his friends planned to do, but I was hopeful. Soon, we pulled up at the gate of a house situated on the outskirts of town. The gate opened, and we drove in. The three trucks drove on the driveway till we got to the building. We alighted the trucks, and I waited for my father's friends to move. The people in the house opened the front door, and it was a woman; she was grey and dangerous, and she was happy to see my father and his friends."Well, I thought you all would remain in Avalora, away from society for the rest of your lives,” She said, ushering us in. The moment she saw me, she recognised me.“Mrs Blackwood?" She asked me, and I nodded."Gail, meet my daughter, Lauren," My father said, introducing us, and she gasped."Abel fucked up good this time,” She said,
XavierI woke up and found it was afternoon, the golden rays of the sun slipping through the curtains, casting a gentle warmth upon the room. My gaze drifted to my side, where Lauren lay peacefully, her chest rising and falling in the rhythm of slumber. Her long hair spilt across the pillow, and I couldn't help but smile. It had been a month since I saw her. I could not believe her father had rescued us from the clutches of those ruthless hunters.Careful not to disturb her, I slid out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The mirror revealed the face of a man who had seen more than he ever wanted to. The beard that had grown wild during my captivity was now reduced to stubble. I couldn't bear the feeling of it on my skin; it served as a constant reminder of the darkness I had narrowly escaped.As I shaved, I pondered the events of the past month. The hunter's prison had been a living nightmare, and the fact that I had managed to survive felt like a miracle. It was the rescue mission mou
XavierWe were still engaged in our discussion when the door burst open, and Jacob stormed in. I noticed he was alone, making me wonder where Levi was. Jacob had a grim expression, and I couldn't help but worry."Xavier!" he exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes; he looked over at Landon and Soren. I could see the disbelief in his eyes. He never thought we would make it out there."Mr Vale!" he said, and hearing the name honestly, it was a giveaway."How?" Jacob said, walking toward us. The room that had paused momentarily returned to the chattering and eating."How?" Jacob asked again."Jacob meets the new temporary head of Hunter's bureau, Rufus Valentine," I said, and his eyes widened.“That explains it,” Jacob said excitedly and glad. I could see true relief in his eyes."No wonder you didn't like me the first few days Lauren and I were at your house. It also explains why Everet said Lauren wasn't normal," He said, and Rufus frowned, but I changed the topic immediately. Seeing how