Chapter 7

"Ahhhh…" I gasped in shock at what just happened.

"Avery, what just happened?" I heard Erik scream while I also heard Shannon wailing in pain.

"I didn't do anything. What is going on there?" I asked out loud, my mind still reeling from what just happened.

"What have you done, Avery?" I heard Erik shout. He was still trying to bang open the door but it still didn't budge. With his inhumane strength, it was an easy job to open a door.

"Open the door, Avery." This time it wasn't Erik's voice but my father's voice. I didn't hesitate before I rushed toward the door.

I expected it not to open up because the door looked tightly shut. But then as soon as I placed my hand on the knob and twisted it, the door clicked open.

I gasped loudly, my father catching onto the sound. "Are you okay, Avery?" I heard him ask, worry dripping from his tone.

"Yes, I am fine." My tone was a bit shaky, knowing what just happened. I immediately stepped out of the room to face my father.

"I am fine, father." I repeated. I could see Erik glaring at me discreetly, but then his expression suddenly changed when I faced him squarely.

"Avery…" I heard Shannon's irritating tone, which made me turn to look at her. My eyes widened slightly, when I took in the state of her hand. Her hand was bleeding profusely, and it was slowly healing but then her healing ability wasn't as fast as mine.

"See what you have done to me, Avery." Shannon's voice was irritatingly loud to my ears but then I was curious about what I had done to her.

"How did this come about?" My father asked with a frown. His question was directed at everyone present.

However, Erik stepped forward and then began, "I met Shannon here, trying to get your message across to Avery. But she couldn't get into the room and I offered to help her get the door open."

"Suddenly, the door was shut in our faces when we were about to open the door. She sustained that injury in the process." Erik's explanation almost made me laugh out loud.

"Are you implying that I shut the door in your face?" I threw that question to Erik, my eyes darting to look at Shannon. For a split second, I caught a glimpse of a wicked smirk on her face. She was probably happy that Erik was indirectly defending her.

"No, Avery. We just thought you should have been more careful with the way you shut the door." Shannon's irritating voice rang out and I felt like slamming her mouth shut. Her facial expression depicted all shades of mistreatment.

I saw her eyes look up at my father, in order to showcase just how much she was wronged. I reasoned she probably wanted my father to take her side.

"I apologize, Shannon." My father started and Shannon couldn't hide the glee in her eyes. Her gaze fleeted toward me with a smirk but I knew my father wasn't done, he had more to say.

"But then, if Avery didn't want to open up, you should have let her be. She decides if she wants to see anyone or not." My father concluded and Shannon's face fell while Erik had a big frown on his face.

"But…" I heard Shannon say, trying to refute my father's words but he cut her off sharply with a raise of his hand.

"Run along and get yourself treated." My father said to Shannon and then turned to me, "Let's go in, Avery. I need some time with you." He said and I nodded.

For a second, I caught the disappointed look he shot toward Erik. Well, Erik's attitude was disappointing. He couldn't even keep up his act before my father.

"Yes, father." I answered, turning around to go toward my father's study. I didn't even spare Erik and Shannon a glance. In the back of my mind, I was happy that Shannon sustained that injury.

As soon as I got into my father's study, I assumed a serious stance. I knew I was in for a scolding. Though I was glad that he didn't make me apologize to Shannon, he also took my side.

Sitting behind his desk, "You know you should have apologized to her." My father began and I nodded my head sheepishly. "But then, it wasn't your fault that they tried to invade your privacy. Just be careful, next time."

"Yes, father." I answered with a smile on my face. The fact that I didn't refute any of Erik's explanations made my father determine that it was what happened.

"Enough of unimportant talks, what do you think about declaring Erik your mate in two days? Apparently, the birthday party was a disaster. I apologize for that." My father grimaced.

"You don't have to apologize father. I perfectly understood that it was an unexpected situation." I said.

"I also apologize for leaving the hall abruptly. I should have stayed back to cater to the pack members." I felt really guilty about that.

"I understand, Avery. It's good that you know what you should do." My father said, and kept quiet for a minute. His piercing gaze on me. I knew he was waiting for my response to declare Erik as my mate.

"I don't think I want to do that soon, father. I want to get to know Erik first." I didn't tell my father that my wolf was not responding to him. It would disappoint and annoy my father to no end. Everyone thought that only Erik was qualified to rule alongside me, in the future.

"Hmm…" My father groaned, a frown starting to mar his face.

My father's groan and silence threw me into a pool of suspense. I prayed to the Moon Goddess that he would agree to my words.

"Do you think he is not a good fit for you?" He asked me and I was tempted to scream out a loud yes.

"I do not have that answer, yet. But I would make sure to act in the interest of the pack." I said, knowing my words implied knowing what Erik and Shannon were hiding.

My father nodded approvingly, "You should go back." He dismissed me.

"Thank you, father." I said, rushing toward him to place a quick kiss on his cheeks. He then laughed lightly.

"You should stop acting like a kid, you're 18 now." He said to me, taking my hand in his.

"But then, I will always be your baby." I said to him.

"Ahh… I have something for you." He said, suddenly remembering something.

My heart leaped in glee at his words. I was glad that I didn't just leave the study and I opted to give him a quick kiss.

"Here it is." He said to me with a smile on his face. "It's your birthday present. Happy birthday, Avery." He wished and I was close to tearing up.

The gift box was wrapped in layers and layers of wrappers and I wondered what was inside.

"Thank you, father." I said to him and hugged him tightly.

A few minutes later, I was out of the study room, walking down to my bedroom. I still needed to find answers to the strange occurrences that happened. I thought the storm was just a fleeting thought and then the show with the door happened.

I got to my door and an enticing scent suddenly wafted into my nostrils and I couldn't help but inhale deeply. Kira started to claw at our soul bond in excitement.

"Mate! Mate! Mate!" Her wolfy voice rang in my mind. Yeah, it was obvious that Xander was around the corner.

"Hey, Avery. Are you hurt?" I heard Xander's voice from behind. My body turned sharply to look at him.

I took a deep breath as I took in his appearance, he was like a breath of fresh air. His hair was messy, and I felt like putting my hand on it to know how soft it was.

"Are you hurt?" I heard him ask again, my thoughts rudely interrupted.

"Why would I be hurt?" I asked him with a frown on my face.

"Uhm, I heard bits about what happened with Shannon and Erik. I'm really concerned about you." He said to me and I couldn't detect any hint of a lie in his words.

"Yeah, something happened with Shannon." I replied but then realization suddenly dawned on me.

"Wait a minute, how did you get here? This area is restricted from other pack members." I said to him with a frown on my face.

"I-I was…" He began to explain but then we suddenly heard footsteps coming from the other side of the hallway. No one should ever spot us together in a restricted area! I was quick to drag open my door and drag Xander inside, and then slammed the door shut.