2~ The Crime

~Avery~

     Throughout the day, my thoughts lingered on King, and I found myself yearning for his return. With no enthusiasm for my classes or training, I pretended to be unwell, of course, I was lovesick, and I confined myself indoors. I spent the day lost in memories of the previous night, my mind replaying each moment until the sky outside was awash with orange hues. Eventually, I rose from my bed and stood by the window, my gaze fixed on the horizon, eagerly awaiting my mate's return.

My mind was a whirlwind of questions. Why had King touched me the way he did last night? Would he come back to me this evening? Was this a sign of his acceptance? Thia, my wolf, was brimming with excitement, her restless energy almost infectious. It was then that Sammy's voice pierced my reverie through our mind-link.

     'Hey, Ave, are you there?' she inquired, her mental voice tinged with concern.

     'Yes, I am,' I replied, my voice bubbling with barely contained excitement.

     'Thank goodness, you sound better. The servants told me you were unwell.'

A smile tugged at my lips. 'Oh, Sammy, I am ill, but it's a sickness of the heart—I'm lovesick.'

      There was a moment of silence, and I imagined Sammy's puzzled expression.

      'King and I..." I began, hesitating as the words caught in my throat. "Last night, he... he touched me. He marked me, and—'

Before I could finish, Sammy's squeal of excitement echoed in my mind, catching me off guard. 'What happened? I need to know every detail. Better still, I want to see the joy on your face as you tell me everything,' she insisted, her enthusiasm palpable.

     'Sammy, please, calm down,' I responded, a smile playing on my lips as I meandered back towards the bed.

      'I need to see you, Ave, but the guards are blocking my way into your quarters. They're adamant you need rest and have orders not to let anyone disturb you,' Sammy expressed with a hint of frustration.

      'Oh,' I murmured, recalling that I had indeed given those instructions earlier. 'I'll just—'

     'No need, Ave. We need to celebrate this. After two whole months, King finally touched you. He'll keep coming back for more, and I hope Regina knows her place now.'

I exhaled deeply, uncomfortable at the mention of Regina. Despite everything, I couldn't bring myself to speak ill of her. She had sacrificed her own feelings to see King become stronger. In my eyes, that was the epitome of true love. Empathetically, I placed myself in her position, imagining the turmoil she must be experiencing. It certainly couldn't be easy for her.

     'Regina's not a bad person,' I found myself defending her.

I could almost visualise Sammy rolling her eyes through the mind-link. 'Whatever,' she dismissed. 'As I was saying, we should celebrate. I know you've been missing the nightlife. How about we hit the club tonight?'

    'Sammy, I'm still in the middle of my Luna training and need to remain sober until it's complete. I can't drink now, at least not without supervision.'

     'But Avery, I need to see that mark. Don't deny me this. A little bit of fun and a few drinks won't cause any harm to anyone. I'll be there to ensure nothing goes wrong. No one will even know you slipped away.'

Her words resonated with a part of me that had been suppressed since my arrival here since I had been thrust into this role. The allure of a night filled with freedom and fun was tempting. I was certain a bit of fun wouldn't hurt. After a bit of persuasion from Sammy and careful consideration, I agreed to join her, yielding to the temptation. Little did I know that it marked the beginning of my downfall.

                    ~*~

     I poured in the drink, tilting my head back as the vibrant disco lights danced around Sammy and me. It had been two months since I last immersed myself in this exhilarating side of life. The thrill of the moment was so intense that I found myself repeatedly downing shots of vodka. Sammy shared my enthusiasm. My heart fluttered with anticipation, and I frequently used the mind-link to check with my mother if King had returned.

I had shared with her the details of my last night's encounter with King and even showed her his mark on my neck. When she asked about my plans for the night, I told her I was going out to see Sammy and might not return home early. She expressed a hint of scepticism and advised me to be cautious. Despite her concern, I felt like I was having the time of my life until my head began to spin. That was when I spotted Jackson.

     I had met Jackson at the weaving centre two weeks ago, but there was nothing romantic between us, and I didn't feel any attraction toward him. He was merely the good Samaritan who had found my lost ring. I thanked him and went on my way. Our paths crossed again when Sammy and I went for ice cream, and a guy in the restroom had attempted to mug me. Jackson had come to my rescue and had led me out of the restroom, while I clung to him since I was still shaken by the event.

Given these encounters, it felt natural to feel a sense of safety around him. So, when I bumped into him again, I was more open and friendly. I introduced him to Sammy, and we quickly became friends. Seeing him at the club wasn't surprising. He was accompanied by a woman, but I felt no jealousy, as he was just a friend. He greeted Sammy and me before leaving with the woman hanging onto his arm. Noticing my growing dizziness, I suggested to Sammy that it might be time to leave. However, she was reluctant, insisting that a bit more dancing would shake off the feeling of intoxication. But the last thing I remembered that night was trying to stand up from my chair.

              ~*~

      I was jolted awake by a series of loud knocks that vibrated through the unfamiliar room. Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to orient myself, a throbbing headache amplifying my disorientation. "Where am I?" I wondered. The knocking persisted, more insistent this time, pulling my attention towards the clock. It read 5:30 a.m., and I was perplexed as to who would be disturbing anyone at such an early hour.

As I reached to gather the bedsheets around me, my eyes caught sight of a male leg beside me under the sheets. The heavy knocking continued, now accompanied by King's unmistakable voice. All the air left my lungs, as the gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. There I was, naked beneath the sheets, with a man lying next to me—a man who was definitely not King. My eyes nervously travelled from the unidentified man's leg, slowly inching up his torso, until they finally settled on his face. Time stood still as I recognised him.

    Jackson!