LOGINAvalineThe heavy iron door groaned as I descended the last steps into the dungeon. The familiar stench of damp stone and metal filled my lungs. My fingers tightened into fists as I walked down the dim corridor.Every step felt as if I were walking toward my execution.I stopped outside the first cell and froze at the sight of Jaxon sitting against the wall, his head bowed. On the other metal bed was Levi, lying with his back towards me.The moment Jaxon heard my footsteps, his head snapped up. His eyes met mine, and disbelief and shock registered on his face. Soon it was replaced by disgust, disappointment, and hatred.My heart lurched. For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Eight years disappeared in that single moment. The man who had once been my everything was still there beneath the anger, beneath the pain, beneath everything that had happened between us. His eyes were colder than I remembered. But they still had the power to break me.“You?” His voice was hoarse. “What the h
AvalineMy heart shattered at her accusations. The sweet friendship we used to share before was gone. Lucienne didn’t trust me anymore. “I don’t support them, Lucy. Every second, I want to kill them. They kept me imprisoned in a dungeon for three years. You cannot imagine the torture I went through. During the third year, Kaizen killed a pack member from the dungeon every month to punish me. Every move of mine is being monitored, and my phone tapped. I couldn’t seek help from the Shifter Council. After years, tonight, my brother let down his guard for the first time.”She frowned at me with disbelief. “Then how did you call me?”I sighed and looked into her eyes. I knew she didn’t believe a word I said. “Kaizen wanted me to call you. I told you whatever he asked me to say.”She gaped at me, realizing what it implied. I had lured her into the trap on purpose. “And you obeyed him? You jeopardized my life, knowing I’m the sole provider for my pups.”I sat upright with tears in her eyes.
AvalineI sat on the bed and looked at my best friend. “So why did you bring a beta with you?” I wanted to know more. Didn’t she realize the gravity of the situation? Why didn’t she reach out to the Council for help?She didn’t reply and lay down on her side. “My family didn’t want me to come here alone.” I could sense she was avoiding detailed conversations. It made my heart ache.I lay down next to her. “I understand. With your success and looks, they ought to get protective. You’ve grown so beautiful, Lucy. I envy you sometimes. But I’m happy you rose from the ashes like a phoenix.” My voice cracked as I compared myself to her. Was I destined to die in the ashes? Would I ever rise?She sighed. “You can too. Just follow your heart and love yourself.”I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Maybe some wolves aren’t as lucky as you are. Some get no chance at all. They are doomed to die a slow death.” Tears rolled down my cheeks as I curbed the wish to reach out to her. What if there were
AvalineRocco didn’t release me all day. I could hear the staff moving around upstairs, preparing the house for a guest. Was Lucienne here already? I paced my room agitatedly, waiting for an update.Cars came in and out, yet no one arrived at the basement for me. For eight years, I had helped my so-called brother, going through every torture possible. Yet now that his wishes were fulfilled, he forgot his stepping stone to success: his sister.At least Rocco was better than him. He didn’t owe me a thing, yet he ensured my comfort every day. I expected nothing from him, but he seemed to be the only well-wisher I had in enemy territory.I closed my eyes and rested as long as I could. By now, Lucienne might have realized she had been played. She might hate me for tricking her. Maybe she was regretting setting foot in Waltonville now.The door unlocked, but I didn’t look up. It was almost dinnertime, and the staff might have brought in my meal.“Ava, come with me. Alpha Kaizen is expecting
AvalineAfter two seconds, Lucienne accepted my call. I hadn’t expected her to. Maybe I would have been happier if she hadn’t.I wanted to talk to her privately. But Kaizen had turned the speaker mode on against my wishes.One look at Kaizen’s glittering eyes made me realize it could never happen. I had to continue the show. “Thank the Goddess you picked up, bitch. Have you totally forgotten me?” I growled playfully with a grin.“Ava! How did you find me?” Her voice sounded cheerful, like music to my ears. It lifted my heavy spirits for the first time in years. Even Kaizen and Rocco couldn’t stop their grins.“Oh, I can seek you out from hell. Did you think you could hide from me?” I couldn’t stop hoping for a miracle. Lucienne had always been bright. Would she read between the lines and come over to rescue us?“I wasn’t hiding from you, Ava. I was busy defying fate and working on my dreams, not for myself but for my pups,” she whispered calmly. The entire room froze for a second. I h
AvalineI could sense something brewing up in Kaizen’s office when I went to work on Monday. Rocco hadn’t met me since my return from Fayetteville a couple of nights ago. It was unusual because he chased me every weekend for a date with him. For the last four years, I had been politely turning him down, using every excuse I could fabricate. The clueless wolf had no idea he was being played.The entire morning I was too busy to take an update on Kaizen. By lunchtime, he strode into my office, looking more enthusiastic than ever before. What was going on in that evil mind of his?“Ava, I want a Luna for myself and the pack. Will you help?” He went straight to the point while I gaped at him. I wondered where this was going. Kaizen had lost Celine, his fated mate, eight years ago in a battle with Maximus. Ever since, he had never glanced at any female so far. His sudden announcement made my blood curdle with apprehension. What was he planning now?“How can I help? Choose the one you want.







