Chapter 92: Untainted JealousyAvyaaneThe sun beat down on the windshield, creating swirling shadows on the dashboard. I leaned back in the passenger seat and felt the soft leather against my skin. Blair's rich and sincere laughter filled the entire car. It was a sound I had become accustomed to over the previous three weeks. "I still can't believe you actually did it," he remarked, shaking his head. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and a smile played across his lips. I grinned, recalling the ludicrous dare that had led to my attempt to surf on a paddleboard. "Hey, you're the one who bet I couldn't stay up for more than ten seconds." "And I've never been happier to lose a bet," Blair laughed. "The look on your face when that wave hit—priceless."The recollection poured over me, as vivid as the day it occurred. The salt spray on my face, the perilous wobble of the board beneath my boots, and then the unexpected rush of water as I fell into the ocean. I'd come up sputtering, only to d
Chapter 93: LoganAvyaane Several hours passed in uneasy quiet. Paved roads transitioned to gravel, then dirt. The trees gathered up around us, shutting off the brightness. I tried to keep track of where we were heading, but after an hour, everything began to seem the same—endless green punctuated by the occasional flash of a stream or the gray of a rocky protrusion. As we drove, my thoughts turned back to the previous three weeks with Blair. It had started off difficult, with both of us nervous and on edge. But sometime along the way, things changed. Perhaps it was the night we stayed up chatting about our childhoods, or the day we got caught in an unexpected thunderstorm and ended up laughing like kids. We splashed across puddles. Whatever it was, by the conclusion of our time together, I'd seen a side of Blair that I didn't know existed. Logan's voice broke through my reverie. "Did you have fun?" I turned to face him, shocked by the unexpected inquiry. His gaze was concentrated on
Chapter 93: EgoAvyaane pov The bright fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, creating a sickening glow on the stainless steel countertops. I sat at the little kitchen table, watching Logan's back as he went around the room. His motions were sharp and precise. Angry. He had not spoken anything since taking me out of my room an hour ago. He just pointed to the chair and turned his back on me. The only sounds now were the sizzle of something in a skillet and the rhythmic chopping of his knife on the cutting board. I shifted in my position, finding the metal chair chilly and uncomfortable. "Logan," I began, my voice too audible in the quiet room. He did not turn around. He didn't even pause when chopping. I tried it again. "Logan," I began, my voice seeming too loud in the silent room. He did not turn around. He didn't even pause when chopping. I tried again. "Logan, what are you making?" His shoulders clenched, and the muscles in his back visibly tightened beneath his thin t-shirt. For
Chapter 94: HikeAvyaane pov I stood so rapidly that my chair scraped against the floor. "No," I responded, my voice louder than my emotions. "No, Logan." I am not doing that." He took a step towards me, and I automatically backed away till I hit the wall. Logan placed his hands on either side of my head, enclosing me. "You don't have a choice," he murmured, his breath hot on my ear. "You are mine, Avy. It's about time you remembered that. I looked away, shutting my eyes tight. This cannot be happening. This couldn't be Logan. The boy who had protected me, made me laugh, and been my friend would not do this. "Please," I said quietly, hating the tremble in my voice. "Please don't do this, Logan."He remained still for quite some time. I could feel the heat from his body, which was so near to mine. I could smell the faint perfume of his cologne mixed with the garlic from dinner. My heart hammered in my chest so loudly that I was certain he could hear it. He then took a hesitant step
# Chapter 94: Inferior ComplexAvyaane As we made our way back to the compound, the sun was setting behind the trees. My legs felt like lead, and every step required effort. Logan moved forward, his stride unwavering despite the exhausting day that had passed. I couldn't determine whether I despised him more for his stamina or for putting me to this pain in the first instance. As we reached the stark concrete structure, I felt a combination of relief and horror. It's a relief to be done with all the trudging, scrambling over boulders, and pushing through deep underbrush. I'm afraid I'll be locked in this jail with Logan again. He entered a code into the keypad by the door, which swung open with a heavy clunk. After several hours in the dappled forest shade, the fluorescent lights inside became harsh. I blinked, temporarily disoriented. "Go clean up," Logan replied, his voice rough. "Dinner in an hour." I did not need to be warned twice. My body ached for a hot shower to remove the sw
Chapter 95: PossessionAvyaane pov I collapsed to the floor, my back against the cold metal of the refrigerator. How had things gotten to this? How did the boy I once knew, the one who slipped me cookies and made me giggle, transform into this bitter, furious man? As I sat there, surrounded by the remnants of our failed attempt at normalcy, I realized something. This wasn't only about the last three weeks. This was about years of hatred, feeling second-best, and seeing his brother get all he believed he deserved. And I got caught in the center of it all. The days that followed were a whirl of strenuous walks, uncomfortable lunches, and cutting remarks. Logan appeared determined to break me and straining my physical and emotional boundaries. Every stumble on the trail, every tear I couldn't contain, was met with a sneer and a comparison to Chad. "Chad's mate wouldn't cry over a little scratch," he'd add as I treated a cut from a thorny bush. "I bet Chad never has to slow down for
Chapter 96 Rekindling EmbersAvyaane pov The car rolled to a stop in front of the palace, and I felt my heart begin to race. After weeks trapped with Logan and his cruelty, I was finally back. But anxiety churned in my stomach - how much had changed in my absence? Would anyone believe what I'd been through?I took a deep breath, steeling myself as Logan came around to open my door. His face was a mask of polite concern, so at odds with the sneering cruelty I'd endured."Welcome home, my dear," he said loudly, offering his hand to help me out. I ignored it, climbing out on my own. My legs felt shaky after the long drive, but I refused to show any weakness in front of him. As we approached the palace entrance, I saw a figure emerge. My breath caught in my throat. Killian.He looked thinner, dark circles under his eyes betraying sleepless nights. But when he saw me, his whole face lit up. In that moment, all my fears and doubts melted away. I was home.I broke into a run, not caring
Chapter 97: Siblings Avyaane povAfter coming back from Logan's compound, the days that followed were filled with a mix of emotions and discoveries. Even though I appreciated Killian's constant support and Chad's empathy, I couldn't shake the heavy burden of what had occurred with Logan.One afternoon, as Killian and I were walking through the palace gardens, we encountered Logan. My body tensed instinctively, and Killian's arm tightened protectively around my waist.Logan's eyes narrowed as he took in our closeness. "Well, isn't this cozy," he sneered. "Tell me, brother, does it feel good to play the hero? To swoop in and 'save' Avyaane from the big bad wolf?"Killian's jaw clenched. "Logan, I'm warning you-""You're warning me?" Logan laughed bitterly. "That's rich. You have no idea what you're dealing with, little brother."I felt Killian start to move forward, but I grabbed his arm. "Don't," I whispered. "He's not worth it."Logan's gaze swung to me, his eyes cold. "Oh Avy," he s