Roxie's body grew stiff as her mother walked across the room and hugged her. Something was definitely off. If everything her father said was correct, the only reason that her mother would be back was because the man she chose over them was long gone. She was about to say something, when she heard someone clear their throat from behind her. She had almost forgotten about Avery. The pull her wolf had towards him, hadn't faded since her rejection. Perhaps it didn't take. Part of her wanted to reject him and get it over with, but the rest of her wanted to latch onto him. That was still something she needed to deal with. There was a confused look on her father's face, as Roxie stepped out of her mother's grasp.
"If there are to be introductions. You must be Roxie's parents. My name is Avery Jackson. I'm the new Alpha of Red Moon. Roxie is my mate." There was a look on my mother's face. Recognition, disgust, but it was there only briefly. Replaced by a smile. "Oh, isn't that great, Collin? Our daughter has found a mate." Her fake sincerity was suffercating and Roxie wanted to slap her. Roxie swallowed her discomfort. "These are my parents. It's actually the first time I've seen my mother since i was a kid. Isn't that wild?" Roxie said. "Anyway, as for your daughter. There's been a bit of a problem at school and some girls had been mean to her. I have filed a report for her, so there's no need to worry. I'll take my leave now. I'll see you tomorrow, Rox." Avery said and put his hands in his pockets and headed back outside. As the door finally closed, Celia took in a deep breath and her eyes narrowed in on Roxie.
"You need to reject that boy, before the bond is too strong." Roxie raised an eyebrow at that. "She might not get another chance to have a true mate. This is the second one, Celia. You can't be serious." Her expression changed from civility to anger in a matter of seconds. "That boy is the reason I was thrown out. I-" She paused. "I mean, I just don't trust him. He can't be right for our child, she's so small and I worry." It looked like the mask was cracking. Roxie sighed in response. "Give me one good reason, why. Mother." It wasn't a question, and Roxie was dead serious. "He's the son of the former Red Moon Alpha." She said, Roxie's father didn't look pleased. "That muddles things doesn't it? The boy of the man you left your family for Celia."
Roxie had heard enough and headed upstairs without another word. Every step hurt her, her ribs were still aching from the attack she endured at school that day. She made it to her room and shut the door. She ran a warm bath in her bathroom and slid into the tub, discarding her bloody clothes in the hamper. She couldn't wait to get away from this place. Maybe she would reject Avery and make her way away from this pack and all its problems. She spent a good hour soaking and getting clenaed up. When she got up out of the tub, she felt a little better. She carefully removed the bandage, the wound was now closed but a thin scar took its place. She brushed her teeth and put on some body lotion. She threw on a clean pair of underwear a fresh shirt and sleep shorts and made her way to her bed. She was thinking a lot about Avery and what her final decision was going to be. The more she thought about it, the less she wanted to go through with it.
She was in the middle of scrolling on her phone when she heard her mother knock on her door. Roxie didn't respond, but watched as her mother walked in anyway. "Since you were hurt, I decided to bring food to you. You're not going to listen to us and reject him are you?" She asked. Roxie thought about it for a minute and shook her head. "Absolutely not. He was there for me. He rescued me. He brought me home after I was wounded." Roxie countered. Her mother said little in response to that. "Well, perhaps I've been too tough on you then. Here, I made philly melts and fries. Here's some tea too. You were hurt, so make sure you eat up to regain your strength. I'm sorry for not being here for you. I'm sorry for being so mean about your mate as well. How about we start over and start working on rebuilding our relationship?"
"Fine." Roxie said and accepted the plate. She didn't realize how hungry she was until she took the first bite. She was actually starving. She ate quickly devouring everything on her plate. She accepted the cup of tea and drank it down quickly. Moments later, she regretted accepting anything from her mother. She suddenly felt weak, the room was spinning. "Honey, you don't look so good. Why don't you lie down?" Roxie couldn't say much. She had suddenly lost her ability to voice her opinions. She laid back on the bed as her mother swept in to cover her up and take her empty dishes.
Vera, what's happening? Roxie pushed in her head, hoping to get a reply.
I don't know. Suddenly I'm very sleepy.. I think it's a sedative mixed with wolfsbane.. I can't.. You're on your own, I must rest...
Roxie could barely hold her eyes open anymore. "There there, just go to sleep. Everything will be fine, you'll see." Roxie heard her mother say, but responding was now impossible. She felt like the woman was standing across the room trying to talk to her. It seemed so far away. She was afraid of what was going to happen to her, as her eyelids suddenly became heavy and she lost the ability to remain alert. She faded off to sleep with one thought in her head. She had been drugged and with her mother as the culprit, she was definitely in danger.
Avery made his way into school the following morning with his sister at his side. He had already made his way into the principal's office and made sure that most of his classes with the same subjects were switched to classes with Roxie. Mr. Shaw wasn't excited about the change at first, until Avery and his sister told him of the situation. It was decided that the classes they had the same subjects in were changed for him to attend class with her, and her extra classes that he wasn't enrolled in, Avaline was placed in instead. Such as art, and physical education. He went to his first class that morning expecting to see Roxie in their English class. He even went so far as to ask which seat was hers and took his in the middle row in the back,, so he could sit next to her. However, as the bell rang and class began.. There was no sign of her anywhere. When the homeroom teacher began taking attendance, he made his way up front to ask if Roxie had called in sick, but as the absense was just
Roxie's head felt like it was swimming. She felt woozy. When she opened her eyes, she noticed that it was hard for her to focus as the room was spinning. What was clear, however was the fact that she was no longer in her bed at home. She moved to sit up, it was a difficult task, but she managed. She moved to stand up. She was a little lightheaded, but was able to do it. She checked out her surroundings. The room was made up of a single twin sized bed. There were no windows, which made her think that it was a basement room of some kind. One large door sat in the room as the entry and exit point. There was a dresser, a nightstand. There was another doorway but it had no door, just hanging black beads that set it apart from the rest of the room. For the most part, the room was clean and organized, but for the life of her she couldn't really remember how she got there. Come on, Roxie think. How did we get here? What was the last thing we remember? She chided herself. She decided to try t
Avery sat in his office as Sienna made some calls. Then realization struck him. "Look into Celia Harlowe." He commanded, then Sienna stopped cold. "Why?" She asked. "That's her mother." Sienna paused and looked back at Avery like he had grown a second head. "Celia Harlowe was thrown out of the pack after your father died. She was the mate he chose over your mother and you guys. I'm guessing Roxanna Harlowe is your fated mate? Poor girl. She grew up with that thing as her mother. Well, a very absent mother but she was born the biological child of that vile woman. Avery, I support rescuing her a hundred percent. Who knows what Celia is planning, but the chances of your mother accepting her as your mate... are very slim." Avery growled at that. "I don't care what my mother's hang up is. She is my mate and I will bring her with me. There's not enough school left for her to be kept captive. Nevermind that. Who else was absent from school yesterday!" He roared. Avaline held up her hand. Sh
Grayson held her down with one arm, as she flailed against him with her hands. Attempting to free herself. "Don't fight it!" He roared as he reached down and yanked her shorts from her body, tearing them in the process. He grabbed her shirt and pulled it up, trapping one of her small nipples in his mouth. She growled in frustration and reared her head back and smacked him with her forehead when he moved to look down at her again. His hands went to his nose. "You little bitch!" He growled. She attempted to roll off of the bed but he caught her again this time he grabbed her by her thighs and slid her down on the bed. He forced her legs apart and pried her open and began lapping at her center with his tongue. Everything about that sensation felt wrong to her. She didn't want him to do it! She wanted... AveryShe sucked in a deep breath and reached down. She took her sharp fingernails and attempted to gouge his eyes. Blood began seeping from the corners of his emerald eyes and he ended
Roxie sat back in the hospital bed. She was so tired. Her throat hurt, she was unable to speak. There was so much she wanted to say to Avery. However, she was unable to do so. When she attempted to speak, it felt as though her throat was on fire. She was thankful to Avery for saving her, but now all she wanted was to tell him, how thankful she was. She knew that her father was coming to the hospital, but she did not want to see him. She partially blamed him for allowing her mother to do the things that she did. As it stood, the only person in that room that she trusted, was Avery.Collin had got the call from the hospital while he was at work. He couldn’t believe that something so horrific had happened to his daughter. When he left for work that morning, he was under the impression that his daughter, and his estranged wife were out together. He was shocked to learn that not only was that not the case, but now his child was in the hospital with serious injuries. as he arrived at the ho
Avaline left the hospital that afternoon. Avery sat by Roxie's side. She slowly ate the cake pop and the cheesy sandwhich that Avilene got for her. She slowly slipped the warm drink she was given. She felt like she was starving after the entire ordeal with Grayson. She picked up the remote and turned the small TV on in the room. Avery looked like he hadn't slept in days. "Tomororw, when they discharge you. We'll go withdraw you from school and pack your stuff. I don't trust anyone here long enough to ever leave you unattended again. Avilene is bringing you clothes in the morning so you can shower and get the blood off of you." Avery said. Roxie of course, didn't say anything. She nodded and looked at him with those large pools of blue eyes of hers. Taylor Reid sat in the waiting room of the hospital until the blinking light of the operation room switched to off. She couldn't imagine how things had gotten to this point. Celia had promised that things would be different once Grayson ma
Alpha James had no choice, but to return to the Packhouse, and finalize his decision. By the time he returned, Taylor and her parents were already in his office waiting for him. “What do you plan on doing about our son’s murder?” Taylor’s parents asked. Alpha let out an exasperated sigh, and looked at the trio solemnly.“I have conducted an investigation into your son’s death. In light of the fact that your son spent money in an attempt to purchase another person, and tried to force himself on that person without her consent, he is just as responsible for his death as she was. It is my decision to have this incident ruled as a self-defense case. Your son broke our laws, and has paid for it with his life. I have decided that Roxanna‘s punishment for ending the life of my beta, is exile. She has been exiled from our pack effective immediately.” Taylor and her parents did not seem to accept that decision. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to do to the person that killed your best frien
"Avery Jackson, you have some explaining to do!" His mother bellowed. Avery had little patience for his mother's meltdown. "Celia Harlowe is her mother. Like we were left by dad, she was left behind by her mother. Matter of fact, I met the woman." The look on his mother's face was priceless. She had lost all the color to her face. "And?" She asked. Avery sighed. "She seemed nice, at first. The very next day Roxie was missing from school. So, we went to their house. Turns out, Celia drugged her own child and tried to sell her off to someone else, just because she didn't want Roxie to be mated to me." Avery countered. "Still, she'll be trouble." His mother attempted to reason with him. Avery shook his head. "I don't care. She's my mate. She was chosen by the Goddess specifically for me. You attempted to reason with me, not to reject my mate remember? I didn't reject her. It's a good thing I didn't, because if I had to look the other way. That girl would be dead. In the last twenty-four