Chapter ThirteenAvyanne’s POV“I’m sorry.” I immediately muttered as soon as I saw Logan walk towards me. I didn’t know what made me think that talking in that type of situation was a good thing to do. Logan walked closer to me like he was going to hit me any moment from then and I was ready for anything because I knew that I should have just kept quiet.“Let her go.” Chad interrupted walking closer to Logan as he wiped off the blood that was on his mouth.Logan walked back to where Killian and Chad were like he was ready to start another fight. I wondered why brothers would fight this way because judging from the way they spoke to each other, it seemed like this happened frequently.I wondered how things were going to be here because I didn’t know what to expect and I was scared, I didn’t want to get caught up in all of this. “Why do you always act like you are the boss? It always gets me so pissed.” Logan said but his voice was calm this time around.“I don’t always act like I’m
Chapter 14: SharedAvyaane's POVMy heart thumps on my ribs like a trapped bird. I'm breathing heavily and leaning against the wall. The heat pouring from my hot skin is a sharp contrast to the cool plaster at my back. Chad quickly pulls away, leaving me completely bereft. I'm reeling from the abrupt lack of his contact, my body buzzing with unmet want.The hush is broken by Logan's sharp, accusing voice. "Man, this was never the plan."The shame burns in my cheeks. I stare at the floor with an ashamed expression, my body betraying me. My arousal's smell lingers in the air, a constant reminder of my frailty. There's nothing I would rather do than disappear into the floor.Chad clears his throat, speaking in a rough voice. "You're accurate. We must talk about this." Near the middle of the room, the brothers form a loose circle. I never move from my position against the wall because I'm scared of being noticed. I feel like a deer in headlights, all tense and prepared to charge at the fi
Chapter 15: New TerritoryAvyanne's POVWith a start, I wake up and my body clock goes to its typical 6 AM routine. I feel a little lost for a moment. The room is large and the bedding are lovely, a huge contrast to my small flat. Then reality strikes again. It's sold to me. My father's alcoholic temper tantrums and his sneering pals are no more to contend with. However, I now have four more masters to satisfy.They're at least, I believe, my friends, attempting to take solace in the circumstances. The idea sounds empty.There's a part of me that wishes to curl back up under the covers and shut out the world. However, ingrained behaviours persist, and agitated energy flows through my body. I have to do anything at all to take my mind off the nagging fear in my stomach.With my bare feet soft underfoot on the velvety carpet, I slide out of bed. I stop at the door and listen carefully. There is silence in the home. They have to be asleep still. Good.I head for the kitchen, intending t
Chapter 16: Pain's EchoesAvyaane POVI turn and toss, unable to fall asleep. It's difficult to relax with the noises coming from the walls. My ears are bombarded by grunts and groans, a woman's high-pitched moans, and the constant creaking of a bed frame. I try to drown out the noise by burying my head beneath the pillow, but it does not work.Blair's deep, raspy voice pierces through. "That's it, sweetheart. Take everything in."My breath is taken away by a searing ache that pierces my chest. I know the mate bond. I can't completely avoid its affects, even with my wolf hidden deep. I hunch down, hoping the pain will go away. I vehemently tell myself that it doesn't matter. My worries are more serious.Monday is next week. At school, I'll have to deal with Alison.I get a new surge of anxiousness at the prospect. I try to slow down my heartbeat by concentrating on my breathing. Finally, tiredness takes over, and I drift off to a restless slumber.My body clock is still adjusted to my
Chapter 17: PunishmentAvyaane POVI shuffle to the back of the room, keeping my head down, and murmur an apology. I see Alison across the aisle as I settle into my chair. With a menacing look in her eyes, she's giving me the cold shoulder. I force myself to look away, swallow hard.The remainder of the morning seems to fly by. My mind is too busy processing everything that has happened to be able to concentrate on the lectures. I'm always aware of how vulnerable I am because of the pain in my lip.My nerves are jangled to the absolute breaking point by lunchtime. I think about hiding out in the library, but then I remember I forgot to have breakfast. My stomach starts to growl. I walk reluctantly to the cafeteria.As I walk in, the volume overwhelms me like a physical force. There are hundreds of discussions that cross over, interspersed with laughter and tray clatter. I search the room for a secure spot to sit. Alison's group is occupying my normal location. Encircled by their fans,
Chapter 18Author's PovThe sun sat low in the sky, making the clouds pink and gold. Alison's cherry red convertible sped along the empty road, the wind sweeping across her blond hair. She sat behind the wheel with a victorious smile on her lips and her eyes hidden behind enormous trendy sunglasses. "Can you imagine it, girls?" Alison's voice came out clearly and sharply above the wind. "In a matter of months I'll be mated to Chad. It'll be the event of the decade." Her backseat buddies cooed and shrieked in response, creating a chorus of sycophantic praise. "Oh, Alison, it's going to be amazing!" "You'll be the most stunning bride ever!" "I can't wait to see Chad's face when he sees you!" Kate, the redhead, sat quietly in the passenger seat, her fingers trembling nervously in her lap. She glanced out at the passing scenery, trying to overlook the knot of worry in her stomach. The car approached a set of stunning, imposing wrought-iron gates. They swung softly open as the car app
Chapter 19: Kindness CageAvyaane's POV My eyes spring wide in the darkness as I awaken before morning. I momentarily lose track of my whereabouts. Then reality descends, oppressive and weighty. I'm at their residence. within their realm.The only sound in the room is the nightstand clock's gentle ticking. I lie very motionless, breathing heavily, listening for any noise from the other side of the house. Nothing. I guess the brothers are still sleeping.I swing my legs over the side of the bed very slowly and cautiously. My bare feet feel cold on the frigid floor, and a chill runs up my spine. The faint groan of the floors beneath me makes me wince as I stand.I have to do something, anything, to divert my attention. to put an end to the never-ending cycle of anxiety and terror that threatens to consume me. My gaze lands on the dust that is accumulating on the shelves. That's the best place to begin of all.I clean carefully, getting absorbed in the act of repetition. Clean the shelv
Chapter 21: The Price of AttentionAvyaane's POVThe bell rang, its sharp tone cutting through the classroom noise like a knife. I shuddered at the sudden boom; the events of the morning had already blasted a hole in my nerves. All around me, students were packing their bags, and I could hear the zippers closing and chairs scraping the floor. I just stood there, fisted firmly in my lap, not knowing just what to do.Kate lingered by me, her presence both comforting and confusing. Without saying anything, neither she nor I continued to the following class. The silence between us grew heavier and heavier with each passing minute, pressing down on me like a real weight. By the time we got to our third lesson, the worry was really getting to us."Why are you following me?" I let out a roar and realized right away how hurtful my words had been. It was strange for me to be noticed, much less to have others want to hang out with me.Kate's eyes flickered from mine to an area just above my s