Chapter 20

Xander's POV.

I could see the pain hidden behind Avery's fake smile at me, she blocked the mind link between us, wishing to be alone. Though she said she was fine, I knew she wasn't.

Who would be fine after losing both parents on the same day? I'm just wondering how hurt she must be right now, how can the moon goddess be so unfair to such a girl?

When I discovered that she was my mate, I was the happiest man alive, though we were on our odd times during school days, rejecting my proposal and making a mockery of my feelings hurt me deeply.

But what can I do? She was clearly in love with Erik then, and no matter how hard I tried to get closer to her and make her see the reasons and the reality of her step-sister and Erik, she paid deaf ears tagging me as a jealous one.

I'm really glad and grateful to the moon goddess for making such a rare gem my mate.

My wolf was elated when we found her, I wanted to hold her right there and mark her, declaring to the world that she's mine and mine alone, but circumstances made me withdraw back, and decided to let things flow at her own pace.

Kissing her was divine, though I wanted more I can't just force her. One thing I'm certain about is that I'll keep her safe from any harm, anything that would think of hurting her should think twice before taking any steps because I'm her shield against them.

'She thinks she's strong enough to protect herself' my wolf, Declan, growled.

'Most women think like that, but that doesn't stop us from looking after them' I mused back.

I felt very infuriated when she passed out and Erik carried her in his filthy arms. I felt like separating those hands from his joint, but I couldn't do anything. No one is aware that Avery is my mate.

I was hurrying upstairs to Avery's room, to check up on her when a hand dragged me back. I looked back with scorching eyes and I discovered who it was.

It was that irritating girl, Shannon.

"Yes? How can I be of service to you, Shannon?"I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I think you're going in the wrong direction."She said, giving me a grim look.

"And what makes you think that way?"I asked, moving close to her with deadly eyes. I'm very much in haste to see Avery, she needs me now. She flinched and moved backward.

"That's Avery's room and she doesn't wish to be disturbed."She said with a whimper, looking up at me.

"She might not wish to see you, but I'm sure she would want to see me."

"I just told you, Avery doesn't wish to see anyone else, do you want me to shout before you can understand me."She said, getting angry.

But I know how to deal with people like her.

"Let me see you stop me. If you made a little mistake by using those filthy fingers to come in contact with my body, trust me. You won't like what's going to happen to you."

She looked startled, but still confident.

"You have no right to talk to me in such a rueful manner. You're in my home and you can't threaten me, you're just a nobody and I can't stand the sight of a man like you."She started chirping like a bird.

"Oh? Your home? You just lose someone close to you and instead of mourning, you're here already making tall claims. Don't you have any form of shame?"I asked her, looking at her with pure disgust.

"You talk of shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, you're claiming another wolf's mate, you and I know that Avery is out of reach for you.''She said, making tall claims.

I didn't have time to exchange words with her, so I took a slight bow and was about to move again when she stood in my way. Out of anger, I growled at her, with fear evident in her facial expression, she stepped back in fear.

Avery is in pain and I need to be there for her, why's this nut case proving as a barrier? Why can't she just mind her business and mourn her loss?

I prayed to the goddess wholeheartedly to rid this barrier before I do something out of anger that might warrant unwanted attention.

The goddess seems to be in a good mood, because in less than ten seconds after I uttered those prayers, someone rushed in and whispered something to her.

I sharpened my hearing and I learned that Erik has been hurt by Avery. I was scared for Avery, she might have used her newly found power on that brute when he wasn't letting her have her way, as usual.

I could see an alarmed expression evident on Shannon's face, her hand flew to her opened mouth and she followed the servant immediately, forgetting that I even existed.

'Good riddance to bad rubbish' I muttered and hurried upstairs, Avery needs me, no matter how hard she denies that fact.

Upon reaching her doorstep, I tried opening it but as expected, it was locked from the inside.

"Avery, open the door, I need to speak with you," I said but no response.

She thwarted all my attempts to mind link. I sniffed trying to catch that amazing scent of hers but I couldn't get it.

I was immediately alarmed, I tried to open the door but it wasn't going to be possible if I didn't apply force on it.

After a quick look around to make sure no one was nearby, I pushed the door hard and it flung open. I immediately used my eyes to scan the room but no one was in sight, Avery was not in her room.

My wolf became restless, and I became scared. Avery is a brave girl, she wouldn't take such a drastic step due to pain.

She wasn't in any form of danger, had she been, I'll have known. I assured myself.

Suddenly, I felt a cold breeze waft my face, and I looked forward, the window was opened and I could still perceive Avery's scent.

"Darn it! That stubborn vixen shouldn't be where I'm thinking" I muttered, getting enraged and scared by my thoughts.

'Are you going to stand here thinking or take some steps in looking for our mate?' Declan growled inside my head. I could feel he was getting restless too.

"I'm trying to think, Declan. Quit whining like a woman"

'I'm taking charge, you can think while we're on the way into the woods.' He stated boldly and before I could think, he was fighting to come out.

I couldn't do anything to stop Declan, so I let him take control and shifted.

I took a huge leap out of the window, overtaking all the barriers in my way till I landed swiftly on all four.

I looked ahead and I could see the wood despite the dark night.

'I'm coming Avery, stay safe for me.'

Without a second thought, I lunged into the woods, to search for my mate.

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Shannon's POV.

I was determined not to allow Xander anywhere close to Avery's room, but the stubborn wolf was proving not to yield.

I don't care, how many times he shot me those deadly glares that are sending shivers down my spine, he will not go anywhere near Avery's room.

He's ruining everything I've planned for. First was at the park, then at the birthday party. 'What the hell does he want from Avery?' I questioned myself as I stared at his eyes that were blazing fire because I'm blocking his entrance into Avery's room.

I saw one of the palace servants coming and I planned on ordering her to get me some guards to throw this rascal out but she came and told me something that whirls my world.

I immediately followed her, and she led me to Erik's room. I dismissed her and locked the door.

"What the hell happened to you, Erik?"I asked as I took a seat beside his bedside. He doesn't seem to be in pain but there was a confused look on his face.

"What happened to you, love? " I asked, getting worried.

Erik can be anything but silent.

"Have you noticed anything abnormal or odd about Avery?"He asked sitting up and facing me

"I don't see how that answered my question, Erik. Tell me who hurt you." I asked again, getting impatient.

I hate it when I'm kept in suspense.

"I think something is up with Avery. She gave me a powerful push that sent me a few feet away from her, I hit the wall real hard and got a popped shoulder."He explained and I was shocked. Erik is a strong man, how's it possible that Avery pushed him so hard and he couldn't regain his stamina immediately?

Questions began to whirl in my head and I began to think of Avery's odd behavior ever since I woke her up that morning.