Chapter 6

Avery's POV

I walked as fast as I could, holding Caitlyn and Cayson’s hands tightly while Clayton walked ahead of us, since I knew he could keep up the pace with me, unlike Caitlyn and Cayson.

My heart was pounding so loud that I could hear its beats. It was as though it was going to jump out of my chest.

We got to the baggage claim, and claimed our boxes. Then we made our way out of the airport.

Bluey had made available a ride that would take us to her apartment.

I had informed her not to bother rushing to leave her work to come meet us at the airport.

I sat quietly leaning against the seat of the car. My whole world now seems complicated.

I hadn't expected to meet that stranger, not like this, and definitely not today.

And now, it seems he isn’t a male prostitute like I had assumed.

The way Avia, my wolf, reacted the moment our eyes locked... it was like she had been waiting for that moment.

"Was he really my mate?"

I had thought it was an alcohol effect that night. And anytime Avia tried to bring it up over the years, I shut her down.

But he looks different now. He looks like someone important. He has bodyguards. "Did he become wealthy within five years? Who is he really?"

All these thoughts were playing in my head throughout the drive.

After what seemed to be like forever, we finally arrived at Bluey's apartment.

Wow! Caitlyn exclaimed.

"This place is really beautiful," she said.

Bluey had completely redesigned her apartment. It looked nothing like the cozy, minimal apartment I remembered.

She did an amazing job.

Bluey always had a flair for interior design, even back in college.

I used to tease her about becoming an interior decorator, but she loved her job as a Finance Auditor too much.

I brought in all our luggage, and just as we started settling in, the door opened.

Bluey walked in, and before I could say anything, the triplets squealed in excitement and ran into her embrace.

This was their first time meeting her in person. Until now, it had only been video calls. Seeing them this happiness filled my heart.

After their little moment, Bluey looked up and pulled me into a hug.

"I've missed you so much," she said.

I missed you too. I replied softly.

And just then the doorbell rang, my breath got caught in my throat. "Did he trail us here?"

"Were you expecting someone?” I asked, tensing.

"No,” Bluey said, frowning. “I didn’t invite anyone.”

“Let me go check,” she said and walked to the door.

I kept my eyes on the door, nerves bubbling as she approached it.

“It’s the delivery guy,” she called back. “Did you order food?”

“Oh yes, I totally forgot.” Relief washed over me.

I’d placed an order through the app I installed on my phone immediately, right before we left the airport.

“Are you okay?” Bluey asked as we sat down for lunch.

“Yeah, of course. "I’m fine,” I said with a forced smile.

Even though I tried not to look bothered in front of the Triplet, she could see through me. Bluey always could.

I didn’t want the triplets to suspect anything. They’d been asking about their dad since they were three, and I have been giving them one excuse and another.

After lunch, we let the kids play in the living room while Bluey and I slipped into the bedroom.

"Spill it,” she said, sitting on the bed beside me.

We saw him, I blurted out.

Who?”

“The stranger."

"Which stranger?" Bluey asked, confusion written all over her face.

From five years ago.”

Bluey’s eyes widened. “What?! Where?”

“At the airport.”

I recounted everything that happened from Caitlyn darting off, then the thief, Caitlyn missing and then showing up with the stranger.

"Are you sure he is the one?" She asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," "he recognized me as well," I said.

"Did he see the kids?"

"Yes he did, and he even asked if they were his, but I ignored him and told him we had no business together."

Just when I thought I wanted to come start my life afresh, just me and my kids. "It started getting messy just as I arrived," I mumbled.

Bluey let out a loud sigh.

"Why would he choose to come to the airport today of all day," I said.

Bluey chuckled.

"Don't let that bother you too much, we should be celebrating your arrival, not brooding over this," "he might not even bother to look for you," she said.

"From the look on his face, he would," I said, clutching a pillow.

"And the worst part is, he had bodyguards, Bluey. Expensive-looking ones. I think he’s rich. He might even be someone powerful.”

"Are you for real?" “Wait… do you think he’s a werewolf too?" Bluey asked, her face now turning serious.

"No... he’s not just a werewolf. He’s a Lycan”

“Oh Goddess…”Bluey exclaimed.

“Exactly. You know how Lycans are with their pups. Now that he knows... I’m scared. He might try to take them from me.”

Bluey sat up straighter. “Do you remember what he looked like?”

“Well, my triplets are his replica. No one can deny it. You’ll see.

Bluey picked up her phone and opened her browser.

"Let’s try something.”

She typed: “Prominent and rich Lycans in Washington.”

And after a few minutes,

The page loaded.

And there it was.

Him.

“That’s him!” I said, pointing.

He must be really rich, for his picture to pop up first.

Bluey gasped, locking eyes with mine.

“What?” I asked, confused. “Do you know him?”

She didn’t speak, just stared at the screen, mouth wide open.

I snatched the phone, expecting to see a headline about me and the triplets, but it was only a photo of him.

"Who is he, and why are you so shocked?" I said.

Then I glanced back at the picture, but this time I saw the name underneath the picture.

The name that made my blood run cold.

"LYCAN KING GEOFFREY WATSON"

I stared at the screen, trembling.

Oh Moon Goddess...

He’s not just some rich Lycan.

He’s the Lycan King.

And he is definitely coming after me and my kids.