~Avery~
Time seemed to dissolve into an endless night, as I stayed shrouded in perpetual darkness within the confines of my prison room. For three days, darkness was my sole companion. My stomach churned from lack of food, and the only solace in this abyss was the occasional flicker of my mother's voice as she checked on me through the mind link. Tia was weak already and I could barely muster the energy to sit upright. But just when I thought I was going to die, that was when I heard the gate clang and the door to the darkroom open. The guards walked in and hauled me to my feet, escorting me from my gloomy prison to the Beta chambers.
"Alpha has returned," Kristopher announced, his gaze scrutinizing my weakened form. "Prepare her, and ensure she is fed."
Tia, though weakened by our ordeal, sparked to life at the mention of King's name. Anxiety churned within me, uncertainty clouding my thoughts about what awaited me in King's presence. The memory of his piercing gaze during my judgment flickered hauntingly through my mind's eye, nearly sapping my resolve. But curiosity and the faint glimmer of hope propelled me forward.
After refreshing myself and having a much-needed meal, I mustered the courage to venture to King's chambers. I fabricated a story, convincing the guards that King had summoned me. One of them escorted me to his private study, where I sensed he had secluded himself since his return. I steeled myself, taking a deep breath before knocking and entering. King sat behind his desk, engrossed in examining some piece, his jaw set in a firm line. I've not had a cause to be in his office like this before and our only intimacy had been the night before I was set up.
He didn't acknowledge my presence as I quietly approached his desk. Tia fluttered with excitement, but I could discern that the man before me was in no mood for frivolity or games. Only when I drew nearer did the object of his intense scrutiny become clear: photographs of Jackson and me. My heart sank further, and an overwhelming desire surged within me to snatch those pictures away, to shield him from their painful memories. The sight of him, so engrossed in those images, twisted my heart in anguish.
"Alpha," I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper. How could I even begin to explain? Still, he remained fixated on the photographs. I was a stranger to him, unfamiliar with the depths of his anger, but I knew that Alphas were notorious for their fiery tempers.
Then, I noticed the sharpness of his jaw, so defined it could cut steel, and his fingers white-knuckled around the photographs. Fear crept over me, nearly compelling me to retreat, but Tia urged me to press on.
'This is the time to touch him, Avery.'
Summoning my courage, I reached out to gently touch his hand, hoping to convey a sense of calm, to reassure him of my innocence. But it was at this moment that he finally turned to look at me. His eyes, blazing with a dark fury, locked onto mine, and I recoiled instinctively.
"What are you doing here?" he growled, his voice a menacing rumble.
"I-I-" My words faltered as he rose to his full, imposing height, towering over me. Instinctively, I stepped back, bracing myself against his potential wrath.
'Tia, I think this was a terrible mistake,' I thought anxiously.
To my astonishment, King did not approach me with anger or aggression. Instead, he strode purposefully towards a cabinet, his movements measured and controlled.
"Another assembly is scheduled in two days," he stated as he reached for a glass. His back was turned to me, and his voice had adopted a calm demeanour, yet it was impossible to overlook the underlying iciness. He poured himself a drink and downed it in a single gulp before refilling his glass. "I bestowed upon you the title of my Luna, and yet, you chose to bring disgrace upon me."
"Alpha, I swear I'm innocent," I protested, catching a sharp look from him that left my breath caught in my throat.
"You have no idea how ruthless I can be, Avery. Do not tempt me to unleash the anger I'm suppressing," he said, taking another sip of his wine as he returned to his desk. He remained standing, avoiding direct eye contact with me. "You were unworthy of the Luna title, lacking the requirements, a mere rogue. Yet, I elevated you and claimed you as mine. What more could you desire?" He finally seated himself but continued to avoid looking at me. "I have one question for you." His gaze flicked up to meet mine, piercing and demanding. "Do you recognize the man in those photographs?"
"It's not..."
"Answer my question. Yes or no?" he snapped.
"Yes, I know him," I admitted, longing for the opportunity to clarify.
"What business does a Luna have with a rogue and a nightclub? You were photographed kissing him in the centre of the dance floor. Do you comprehend the humiliation this inflicts upon me, my reputation, and my pack?"
"King, please, let me explain," I implored, my voice trembling with urgency.
"You should not be seen in such compromising situations with another man, especially a rogue. You disgust me, woman," he declared, his voice laced with disgust.
"No, no," I replied hastily, tears welling up in my eyes. I could endure the harsh judgment of others, but not from him. The thought of losing his respect, his affection, was unbearable. I loved him deeply. "Please."
He rose from his chair, his posture rigid with resolve. "The next trial is in two days, I don't think I can handle a controversial Luna like you, Avery."
'Is he going to reject us?' Tia's voice quivered within me.
My heart raced faster as he spoke. I wish King had known me long enough to understand that I would never willingly bring shame to him. My only crime was going out that fateful night with Sammy. I made a silent prayer to the goddess. If she would grant King the wisdom to accept me this once, I vowed to fulfil all my duties as his mate. I will become the perfect mate. But it seemed as if the moon goddess had a knack for deserting her creatures in their most desperate time.
"I cannot tolerate this, Avery. The ridicule from other Alphas, the embarrassment it brings to our pack... I must take action to preserve my own dignity," he continued. "And so, to spare you the public disgrace, despite your thoughtlessness in disgracing me, I will not reject you before the pack. I will do it here and now, in private."
"Please," I implored, stepping forward with a hand outstretched towards him, but he recoiled as if my touch were poison.
"I, Alpha King Thornwood of the Silverpine Pack, reject you, Avery Frost, as my mate—"
His words were barely finished sentences when an agonizing pain tore through my body. A scream escaped my lips as I collapsed to my knees, the torment unbearable. Tia, my inner companion, whimpered in shared anguish as the rejection lacerated both our souls.
"King, have mercy!" I cried out, but my pleas were lost in the whirlpool of pain that enveloped me.
I lay crumpled on the floor, writhing in torment. King stood unmoved; his words unyielding as he completed the ritual of rejection. Powerless to respond, I could only watch in agony as he turned to leave.
Only when he reached the threshold did I muster the strength to speak. "I, Avery Frost, formerly the Luna of the Silverpine Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha King Thornwood."
As the final words left my lips, the pain overwhelmed me, and I surrendered to its relentless grip.
~Avery~ The pain overwhelmed me, rendering me immobile. I lay sprawled in King's office, my strength drained to the point where even using the mind link was beyond me. As the excruciating pain threatened to plunge me into unconsciousness, the door creaked open, and Regina entered. The click of her high heels against the hard floor echoed through the room as she advanced toward me. She was going to help me up. I know she was a nice person, and I wouldn't hold any grudge against her, because she had given me an opportunity which I messed up. However, as she crouched before me, the sight that greeted me was completely unexpected. A triumphant grin stretched across her face, morphing into a derisive laugh. My confusion deepened, manifesting in a puzzled frown. Regina brushed aside the strands of hair that veiled my face. "So, you believed you could reap where you hadn't sown?" she taunted. My forehead furrowed in bewilderment, struggling to make sense of her words. She rose, the
~Avery~ I awoke, my eyes fluttering open to find myself in the clinic room of the pack. Confusion washed over me as I blinked twice, struggling to comprehend why I was there. "My darling, thank the goddess you're awake," came the comforting lilt of my mother's voice, redirecting my scattered thoughts towards her worried face. Mom sat by my bedside, her eyes showing signs of exhaustion, evident in the dark bags beneath them. A pang of concern knotted my stomach. I couldn't help but wonder if she had been getting enough sleep lately, given the circumstances. Despite my initial confusion, I began to feel a surge of strength and wellness coursing through me. "Mom?" My voice was a hoarse whisper, barely audible as I attempted to rise. She was quick to lend a helping hand, arranging pillows behind me so I could recline comfortably. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" she inquired. "I'm feeling much better... and stronger," I responded, the fog in my mind clearing
A Month Later...~Avery~ "Congratulations, Ms. Avery Frost. You are four weeks pregnant," the doctor announced, as she handed me the test results. I found myself frozen in disbelief, my mother at my side. The words seemed to echo in the sterile room, creating ripples of disbelief in their wake. "No, doctor. That's impossible," I protested vehemently, the words tumbling out in a rush of denial. "I... I can't be pregnant." A shadow of concern flickered across the doctor's face, her eyebrows knitting together in a delicate frown. She cast a puzzled glance, between my mother and me. Sensing my distress, my mother reached for the paper the doctor extended, offering a gracious smile in return. "Thank you, doctor," she said softly. She motioned for me to rise and follow her out, but I remained rooted to my seat, grappling with the shocking revelation. It took a gentle nudge from my mother to rouse me from my stupor, her firm hand guiding me out of the doctor's office and i
Five years later... ~King~ Kristopher and I strode into the conference room, our presence casting an immediate hush over the gathered group. Seven pairs of eyes, belonging to four men and three women, all clad in business attire that spoke of power and resolve, turned towards us. Each face was etched with a seriousness that showed the gravity of the situation. I was well aware of the reason for this assembly, and I felt a simmering fury inside me, a tempest barely contained. It seemed like lately, everything only served to fuel my anger. The urge to lash out pulsed through me, but I knew better than to act on it. My knuckles still bore the scars and bandages of recent outbursts. I took my place at the head of the grand oak table. Drawing a deep, steadying breath, I scanned the room, meeting the lowered gazes that avoided my own. The air was thick with unspoken words, waiting to burst forth. The recent passing of my mother had left more than just a void in my heart; it had plunged T
~Avery~ The conference hall bustled with the presence of suited businessmen and women engaging in lively conversation as I entered through the west door, flanked by an imposing entourage of security personnel. A hush fell over the room as I strode toward the podium. All eyes turned toward me, and though nerves threatened to overwhelm me, I plastered on a confident smile to conceal my apprehension. Despite my efforts, I couldn't shake the feeling that many in the audience could sense my anxiety. However, I was resolute, boosted by the silent mantra whispered by my wolf, Tia. 'You've got this, Ave.' Drawing in a deep breath, I allowed my smile to widen. My gaze swept across the room until it rested upon the comforting sight of my mother and Jane, and then on my precious twins, Julian and Julia. Their radiant smiles infused me with the courage I desperately needed. Marrying Alpha Duncan Bells had been a decision primarily made for the sake of my children's future, but I never a
~Avery~ The moment I stepped into the boardroom, faces already seated around the table turned to me with a gravity that told me everything I needed to know. This was serious. My mind raced. What new discovery could they possibly have made about me? Duncan was the only one who truly knew me. He was the only one who knew my good, bad, and ugly. He knew my former mate and knew the pack I had run from. Duncan was the only one who knew my real name. To everyone else in the room, I was Ava Bells. Since Duncan's passing three months ago, the pack had hurled one accusation after another my way, but I stood firm, countering each claim with the strength and resilience I had cultivated over the years. "Mrs. Bells?" My assistant's voice pulled me back to the present, offering me a chair. I took my seat, my gaze locking on Marcus. "I wasn't expecting another meeting after my address. Why wasn't I informed beforehand?" I inquired.Marcus met my stare. "It was impromptu, as I told
~Avery~ "There's no way in hell I'm going back to Silverpine Pack," I stated firmly, pacing back and forth in front of my mother and Jane. "Please, try to stay calm, dear. These are difficult times, and we must handle such matters with care and strategy," Mom advised, her voice a soothing balm in the tense air.I spun around to face my mom, frustration etched in every line of my body. "But not by returning to that pack. Not after the humiliation I went through. And to think I'll have to face King again. What if he plots some sinister scheme against me?" "You're overwhelmed right now, sweetheart. But let's not assume the worst of King. Remember, based on what you've shared after we left the pack, it was Regina who stirred the trouble. Deep down, you know he wouldn't harm you, not in the way you fear. You were both victims," Mom reasoned, her words a gentle reminder of the complexities of our past. "No, he never listened to me. He never loved me. He never wanted
~Avery~ As our vehicle crossed the border of Silverpine, my heart tightened with apprehension. The guards at the border were already aware of our visit, allowing us to pass without delay. Marcus sat across from me in the sleek black limousine, his gaze piercing. I attempted to maintain a composed exterior, concealing my trembling hands beneath my handbag resting on my lap. However, Marcus's keen observation seemed to cut through my facade, igniting a suspicion that he might be aware of the storm of fears swirling within me. I had previously requested Marcus to bring my mother and the children over the following week. My reasoning was to avoid the additional attention our arrival would attract today, especially from the curious eyes of Silverpine's members. I was not yet ready for them to meet my family. "You seem anxious," Marcus remarked, breaking the silence. "Is there any reason I shouldn't be?" I countered, meeting his gaze with a determined look, though my voice