Chapter 8

ERIK'S POV

I could smell and hear Avery as soon as I got closer to her door. I have been waiting for her to get out of the Alpha's study and for a moment I almost missed her due to Shannon's whining. As soon as I rounded the corner, I heard the door small shut.

I couldn't believe that Avery had already gotten into her bedroom. I wished I could force my way in. "Avery, are you in there? I can smell you." I said out loud but then I was met with silence.

I know I didn't need to say that I could smell her. However, I waited for a minute but I still didn't hear Avery reply to my question.

"Something smells so weird here? Is anyone in there with you, Avery?" My hands balled into tight fists on the door. I was about to slam on the door but I didn't want to anger the Alpha. It was clear he didn't like what went down earlier.

What set me off was that Avery wasn't replying to any of my questions, with the unfamiliar and at the same time familiar scent wafting in the air.

"Avery, I know you're in there. Would you at least apologize to Shannon, she has been whining all day." I reiterated, knowing I was getting tired of just standing at the door.

I just needed to see Avery, we needed to talk about our chances of mating and our relationship. It was taking far too long and Shannon was not helping matters.

"What do you want, Erik?" Avery finally answered me, but then her voice sounded muffled which made me frown. Ignoring the part about apologizing to Shannon.

"Are you really okay and alone in there?" I asked, ready to burst into the bedroom if she was really with anybody else. I knew Avery never liked anyone else apart from her parents, Shannon, and me in her bedroom.

"I'm okay, Erik. You should go, I'll see you some other time." This time, Avery's voice sounded like she was irritated about something. My sixth sense could tell she was irritated by me. Everything about her was changing but I wasn't ready for her next words.

"Also, you don't need to know if there's anyone in here or not. I need some time to myself. You should go." I heard Avery say and I wanted to refute her statement but I held back.

"Alright, I'll talk to you later." I said to her, really wanting to talk about our supposed future relationship. I didn't wait for a reply from her. Also, I made sure I registered the unfamiliar scent in my head, making a mental note to find out who it belonged to.

I walked away from her door and rounded the corner to see Shannon leaning on the wall. Her injured hand was completely healed now since she got it treated.

"How are you? Do you still feel pain?" I asked in a caring tone.

"No, I don't feel any pain. I just need your company." Shannon replied to my question, moving forward to hug me.

"You know, Shannon, we should make some distance between us at this crucial time. We don't need Avery catching onto anything." I hugged her back but only for a split second.

Shannon had a wronged expression on as soon as I pulled away from the hug but I couldn't give her more than that.

"Were you able to talk to Avery? Has she agreed to be your mate? You both should get this done with." Shannon said to me, I knew she wanted everything to go down so we could continue with our lives and plans.

"I guess she was so busy to talk to me. I'll make sure I get the answer from her some other time. Otherwise, I would have to force her." I declared with a dark glint in my eyes and Shannon shivered visibly.

I looked like a demon from hell at that moment and Shannon was quick to grab my hand in order to stop whatever thoughts whirling in my mind.

"Let's go grab something to eat." Shannon said to me and though I wasn't so hungry I decided to accompany her. I wanted to comfort her since she got hurt minutes ago.

"What would you like to eat? I can make anything." Shannon offered and I only smiled lightly, with something else on my mind. She started to lead me toward the Beta's part of the mansion. Knowing my mother was home, I didn't mind.

But then I suddenly thought about Avery's recent attitude, I then asked, "Have you been observing Avery, lately? She has been acting really weird, not like the Avery I used to know." At my words, Shannon's face fell and she halted.

"Y-yeah, she has been really weird." Shannon began stutteringly, her eyes darting to look at me. I could see she didn't want to talk about Avery at the moment but I didn't care.

"The other day we met you at the park. She woke up and seemed like a completely new person to me. She talked about my hairstyle being out of fashion. I noticed she was also surprised that she looked younger. And then she looked at her phone like it was some thrash." Shannon explained to me.

Everything she just said didn't make sense and it only pointed to one thing after careful reasoning, "Do you think she's gone to the future and back?" I asked Shannon but before she could reply, I heard a loud snort behind me.

"Don't be delusional, Erik. Things like that don't happen. I haven't seen someone who has the power to do that." My mother, Deborah, said from behind and then walked up to stand before Shannon and me.

"If you haven't seen someone do that, it doesn't mean it can't happen, mother." I said sharply while Shannon's eyes darted from me to my mother.

"Even if it happens, I don't think Avery will be able to do such?" My mother's words made me frown lightly.

"She isn't so bad, mother. Anyway, have you talked to father about the mating ritual? When is it happening?" I asked, eager to get Avery mated to me.

Shannon on the other hand had a deep frown on her face as soon as she heard my words. I could understand how she felt knowing I would get mated to Avery anytime soon.

"Rest assured, son. In two days, you both will get mated. The Alpha has given his word and he just needs to communicate it to Avery." I heard my mother say to me. She then patted my shoulder while I couldn't control the gleeful smile on my face.

I could already see my dreams and goals unfolding before my eyes. "We need to make preparations for the mating ceremony mother." I said happily but then I was interrupted by my mother's elated laugh.

"You're so eager, Erik. You both can go in now, and you should see to it that Shannon is comfortable." My mother said and then continued, "I need to speak with the Luna about whatever would be needed for the mating ceremony."

My mother was about to turn away and go in search of the Luna when my father walked in.

"That wouldn't be necessary, Deborah. Erik, you should work toward your relationship with Avery instead. It shows that you're really lacking in that area." As he said those words, his eyes flickered toward Shannon who was standing a little too close to me.

I groaned knowing my father didn't like what he was seeing.

"Why are preparations for the mating ceremony not necessary? I wouldn't want my son to do something like that in an unlively and plain atmosphere. Also, the Luna would love to decorate extravagantly for the occasion, so it should it be necessary." My mother tried to argue.

"Is there any reason behind what you just said?" My mother asked. Shannon and I waited eagerly for my father's answer. His words weren't making any sense to me.

But then my father's eyes flickered toward Shannon again and I knew he was uncomfortable with her presence. It was obvious he had other things to say but he was skeptical about saying them before Shannon.

Nevertheless, Shannon was quick to notice, and she offered to walk away from there. With a deep sigh, I nodded at her approvingly. I liked that she was able to take the cue to leave.

While we were still standing before the Beta's chambers, waiting for my father's reply to our obvious questions and worry, a displeased scowl started to form on his face.

"Did anything go wrong?" My mother couldn't help but ask impatiently. From my father's expression, she knew something was definitely wrong. Something that was not about the preparation for the ceremony.

"Avery has refused not to get mated in two days. She has the Alpha's support." My father declared. My mind reeled in shock and disappointment. My dreams and goals which were starting to unfold started to fold up.

But then at the same time, we heard a gasp and our heads whipped to the side. It was Shannon who had been hiding!