Chapter 16

Avery's POV.

I was praying frequently in my mind as I waited for the doctor to tell me that my father is alive and recovering, to tell me that I was hallucinating when I didn't hear a heartbeat.

Erik's mother was coming with her fake tears to comfort me but one look from me was enough to leave her at a halt. I don't need some bad energy around me now, I'm in so much negativity already.

Xander creates a mind link to me. "What's wrong?"He asked.

"I don't know, my f-father isn't responding to me," I said with sobs.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine."He assured me.

"I don't know Xander, but I'm praying to the goddess for intervention. I can't lose both parents in one day again."I stated unknowingly.

"I'm sorry about your mom, just take care of yourself, Avery."He consoled me, and I could feel his genuine concern but suddenly he asked.

"What do you mean by 'again'?"

"I don't understand," I said, trying to deny it.

"You said you can't lose both your parents in one day again."He said trying to get exactly what I mean.

I looked at him from across the room and his face looked at me questionably.

I was about to defend my words when the door opened and one of the doctors came out.

I stood up and stared at him, his face was looking gloomy. "What happened, doctor? How's my father?"I asked.

He wouldn't answer, instead, he just said he was sorry.

What is he sorry for? My mind couldn't comprehend.

I walked past him straight into the room. My eyes behold the sight of a dead body for the second time that day, and they were both my parents!

My heart contracted in wrenching pain and I screamed very loudly.

Just once, I screamed just once as I staggered backward a little. I swayed dangerously, then moved one foot in front of the other by sheer dint of will.

I stumbled to my knees and the doctors hurried to help me but I halted them with a hand. I stood up and staggered forward, halting when I reached my father's bedside. He was now completely covered.

I was about to uncover him when Erik's hand grabbed me.

"Control yourself, Avery."He said, holding me closely.

I didn't cry and I didn't struggle against him like before.

"Let me go, Erik, "I ordered her silently, danger oozing from my voice.

"You're not in the right frame of mind Avery, come with me. It'll soothe your pain."He said, patting my back gently.

I wasn't feeling it and my inside was beginning to explode with dangerous energies, I'm extremely angry now.

"Let me go, Erik, "I said for the last time because I don't intend to issue the order again.

Clearly, the pest refused. I don't care what he or anybody thinks of me after what I'm about to do.

I shove him off using my newly found powers and his back hits the walls.

I shoved him almost ten feet away from me and the doctors looked at me in awe, they hurried to help Erik who was visibly shaken by the push.

I shifted the cover used on my father a little to reveal his pale white face, there were dried-up tears in his cheeks, and my inside sting. What kind of painful death is this? I asked myself.

I smiled at the corpse, kissed his forehead, wished him to rest well, and covered him back.

In my past life, when I discovered my parents were dead, I passed out, and Erik was with me throughout. I can also remember that I was so down emotionally and I allowed Erik to make love to me all in the name of how he wanted me to forget my pains. How stupid and gullible was I in my past life? I asked myself.

My past life!

These words ring in my ear. I knew my parents would die today, why didn't I do something to save them? I was so engrossed in my plans for revenge, I allowed Erik's betrayal to consume me that I didn't think of my parents!?

These questions formed a tornado of regrets in me, I need some space to vent out my anger. I can't fall and cry in front of these people.

I'm reborn and I'm not weak. I kept telling myself as I made my way out of the hospital room where my father's body lay.

Many people rushed to me but with a raise of my hand, I stopped them. I looked up at them boldly and said."I need some time alone to myself, please."

They nodded but I could see Xander's worried face and something in me told me he wouldn't listen to that order.

He tried to create a mind link but I blocked it and made my way to my room upstairs. Deborah came to me with a teared face and I looked at her wryly.

"Poor child Orphaned in a day. How sad."I could notice a hint of sarcasm in her voice but I was in too much pain to care.

Avery of the past would run into her arms and cry like a baby, but this isn't Avery of the past, this isn't gullible Avery.

I just looked at her and asked."how did you get that cut on your hand?"

Surprise surfaced on her face and she moved away from me.

"I- i- I slipped."She said, stammering.

"Sorry about that ma'am, you should be more careful next time," I said, giving her a cold stare as I made my way upstairs.

I noticed that Shannon was following me.

"Please, I want to be alone," I said to her strictly and I could see the surprise on her fake teared face. I ignored it and continued to climb up.

"Avery, what's up with you? Why are you behaving as if you're the only one who's pained by their demise?" She asked me, as she ran to catch up with me.

I stopped and stared at her as I reached my room entrance, "I don't know what you want me doing Shannon, I just wish to be alone. I don't want anyone's comfort now. Is that too much to ask? "I asked but as she opened her mouth to talk, I entered inside.

I wasn't planning on staying in my room anyway, so I locked it and moved toward the window. My room was on the fourth floor of the palace and I wanted to go into the woods. I opened the window and swiftly, I let my wolf take control of me. I shifted, and leaped on the window agilely.

I looked down and without thinking, I leaped down, I dodged any obstruction on my way till I reached the ground and landed on all fours.

I sneaked out into the woods, it was dusk.

The night overcame me as I stepped into the woods, I raced under a hunter's moon. I ran in pain, and I ran alone, through the grand tower of trees, the dark shadows of the forest, and the magic of the night trail behind me.

The wind from across the sea spewed across the pines, it seemed as if it was singing an ancient song, it had a pleasant scent that played on my nostrils. I could see strange small creatures with eyes that gleamed in the dark, hiding and observing me race out of pain.

I knew they were there, I could smell them and hear the rapid beats of their heart. None should dare cross my path or I'll tear them apart.

I seek solitude, I seek answers.

What's happening? How could I allow my parents to die despite knowing that they'll die? How can I be so stupid to get consumed by vengeance that I cared not for my parents but for my vengeance? Why?

Restlessness and questions lived in me that not even speed could quell. In my quest for peace and answers, I haunted the woods, stalked the cliffs, and circled the clearing, but nothing soothing came out of it.

As my path rose more steeply and the trees began to thin, I slowed to a trot, scenting the air. I had come here to vent my pain but something else seems to be calling me.

I look up and see the moon swarm white and full, I howl to the moon, to the sea, to nature as my soul seeks answers to questions in my mind.

I transformed back and waves of cold air hit my naked body. I began to cry and scream uncontrollably.

"How did I let this happen?"I asked myself. I can't believe I allowed myself to be orphaned again.

"Why? Why are you doing this to me? What are these newfound powers within me?''Questions poured out of my mouth as I looked at the moon, teary-eyed.

Something called out to me, I immediately shifted and looked around but nothing was in sight.

With powerful strides I climbed the rock in front of me, my blue eyes scanning, seeking---------but seeking what?

"Answers" came a female voice from behind.