4

******

It took some seconds to snap Avery out of her tattered state. She exhaled, grabbing a bottle of water and gulping it all down her throat. "Mommy, why are we leaving? That man looked like Daddy! Why didn’t we say hi?" Raymond hovered around her, still pointing at the man.

Avery swallowed hard, racking her brain for an answer. She couldn’t let Raymond know that his father is alive after lying to them that he died during a fire accident. “Your dad died before you were given birth. Raymond, don't call strangers looking like him your dad, it's very awkward. Right now, let’s just go find Alnos and Ria.”

Raymond frowned but didn’t resist as Avery led him back toward the center of the park, her gaze darting back over her shoulder. Luca was still standing there, motionless, his eyes never leaving her. 

Avery quickened her pace. She couldn’t let him know that those children were his. Not when she tried her best to keep their identity a secret.

Alnos was waiting patiently near the jungle gym, his face creased at the sight of blood stains on Raymond's mouth. “Geez, did Raymond fall down, Avery? What’s going on?” He pulled Avery into his arms, patting her startled face. His eyes flickered between her and Raymond as he ran over to Ria and continued playing like nothing happened.

“We need to leave, he knows I am not dead. “ Her voice was barely above whispers as she shook Alnos. Alnos stepped closer, his hand reaching for her shoulder, grounding her. “Avery, talk to me,”

“I saw Luca. He’s here, Alnos. He and Isabella are here and surprisingly, they have a daughter–A beautiful daughter. Luca told me he hated kids, why does he have one?”

“Okay, what did he say to you?”

“Nothing. He just stood there and kept staring like I was some fresh raw meat for him to chew. But it doesn’t matter, I am over him. Seeing his disgusting face reminded me how lucky I was to have run away since. I bet I wouldn't be alive if I still remained with him.”

His hand fell on her shoulder as he broke the hug between the both of them. “Ria, Raymond, Mommy is tired. We are taking you for strawberry, chocolate Sundae.” 

“Yeah!” They both responded, hurrying over to pack up while Alnos still had his gaze on Avery. 

“It must be scary, Luca is scary. I understand. We’ll figure out what to do from there.”

Avery nodded, “Let’s go,” she whispered.

He gave her a small, reassuring squeeze before turning to gather Ria, who was still playing on the slide. Avery knelt beside Raymond, brushing a strand of his hair back. “Come on, baby, we’re going to head home now.”

Raymond nodded his head, hopping on her shoulders. “You should reconsider remarrying. Kids in my class all say that it's normal. I just want to have a Daddy to call mine one day.” 

The truth and lies were too much for a five year old to handle. Maybe when he grows much older, things will be less complicated, Avery hoped while walking back to the car. 

She strapped her seatbelt, her heart aching with old wounds, wounds she had tried so hard to bury was standing there with a daughter of his own– something he never wanted in his life.

She brushed back to Lucas's words when they first kissed, some months before the accident.

[If the moon goddess ever mates us together, I will love you Avery. And as for kids, I am not sure I want them for the meantime. Let us grow old and love each other. Promise?]

Avery tossed her head backwards and Alnos easily sensed her turmoil. Once the kids were buckled in, Alnos started the car and drove off. 

Luca was back. After all these years, he was back.

∆House 24, Devine Street.∆

“I will have the kids washed up and you can have your showers. Avery, Luca might be back but I am not leaving either.” Alnos patted her gently, and carried the stuff inside while the kids accompanied him apart from Raymond who ran after Avery.

“Mommy,” he whispered, his big eyes full of worry. “Are you okay?”

Avery knelt down, pulling him into a tight hug. “I’m okay, sweetie. Mommy has adult things to think about, that's why she had to make you guys leave. Mommy will protect you from an evil Alpha like Luca who will try to take custody of you two from me.”

*****

"I smell lies," Luca muttered under his breath. His wolf stirred within him, agitated for being such an idiot to believe that Avery died. "Avery didn’t die. She’s somehow... in the human world. Why do I feel like I’ve been cheated?"

Isabella, still holding their daughter Ellen in her arms, smiled bitterly. “Luca. Maybe you are dreaming. Avery is dead, that could be her lookalike. You told me you wanted a break from all the Alpha duties. You said you wanted to live among the humans for a while, remember? She should be the least of your problems. I will get in the car now. Come on Ellen.”

Isabella went ahead into the car and Luca frowned, his eyes darting off to Isabella. Seeing Avery alive, breathing, and standing right there had reignited something inside him. Confusion. Betrayal. Rage. He clenched his fists tightly.

Luca spun on his heels and strode toward the car, shutting the door and starting the engine. He didn't bother saying anything to Isabella. He reached for his phone, dialing the number of his new Beta, Jay, the one who had stepped up after Alnos had resigned from the position.

"Jay," 

“Alpha,”

"I need you to dig into something now. Run a thorough investigation on what really happened to Avery. How she supposedly left the pack, how the story of her death sprung and most importantly, why she’s alive.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he continued. “And find out whose children those are. Every single detail."

Something about that kid felt… off. There was no way they were just random kids. If they were truly his children, then why had Avery kept them hidden?

“Avery, let's both hope he is not my kid and you were not pregnant when I treated you like an asshole.”