Payment To the Alpha
Chapter 20

Avery's POV

I was standing outside on the little balcony attached to the first floor. Breathing in the fresh air. Looking out over the little pond and the children playing on the grass.

I had to leave the conference room after Lydia's confession.

I have almost always had an answer when one was being asked of me. But how could I respond to this? How could I respond with a clear mind when I was completely and utterly confused? When everyone who had ever mattered, has lied to

me.

'The truth is out'

Huh? What the hell was that voice?

Jesus Christ, I'm going mad.

I stared into the abyss. Shaking my head to try and ease the confusion. I still had questions that I planned on getting answers to. Three deep breaths and then I head back in.

I did just that. I took three very deep breaths and headed back to the room where everyone was waiting. I had told them to let me have a moment alone. Though James was reluctant, Amber managed to persuade him into letting me go.

Once I opened the door everyone flew to their feet and looked at me as if I was about to faint.

"Let's continue," I declared with a stern voice. I took my seat on the couch and James soon followed beside me.

"Are you alright?" His voice was laced with worry.

"I'm fine. I still have questions that need to be answered."

They all nodded and took their own seats.

Before I could start with my questions I had to ease my mind. I may be mad but she is still my best friend.

"How is your leg?" My voice was calm yet stern. I was too mad to be all caring at this point. And if I let my guard down I'm afraid I won't replace out what I need to.

Lydia looked at me with a shy smile and then down at her leg.

"As good as new," her smile faltered a bit when she looked up at me.

"How is that possible?" I gasped not able to believe what she was telling me.

Lydia giggled and cleared her throat.

"You haven't gotten much information regarding werewolves yet have you?"

I shook my head at her question.

"Werewolves have a very high healing ability. Broken bones take us between 24 and 48 hours to heal depending on how strong your wolf is. Mine is pretty strong so she has already healed, just a bit sore."

"She?"

"Yes my wolf. Her name is Cristi."

"Riiiiight..." How the hell do I respond to that? Better yet, let's not.

"Who did that to you?"

Lydia looked taken aback by my question as she stiffened. She looked over to Natasha and her eyes quickly went to the floor.

"That's not important," James chimed in with quite the authoritative voice.

"Well it is to me," I snapped back.

"I'm not so sure you want to know."

Lydia didn't look as if she wanted to tell me, I could tell. But I did want to know. I wanted to know everything.

"That's for me to decide," I glared at her waiting for her to continue.

"I got a call from mom and she told me a ball was being held and that they were going to introduce a guest. She told me it was time. So I had gathered all my things and I was coming to you, I wanted to be here for you when everything went down. I didn't want you to be alone in everything. I wanted to be by your side. When I had gathered the last of my things and was making my way out of the apartment, a strong pair of hands pushed me back in. I hit my head on the table next to the door but quickly recovered..."

I could tell this next bit was the one she was dreading.

"It was your dad. He lifted me up by my throat, his claws stretched out, and started digging into my skin. He told me to not stick my nose where it doesn't belong. That only fueled my rage. I knew that they never cared for you, but to keep me from being by your side and support you, was low, even for them. I managed to bend his hand as he screamed in agony. I broke his arm and kicked him in the chin. Then I made a run for it.

I quickly grabbed my things and ran to the forest behind the apartment complex. I shifted and carried my things in my mouth. When I had run for about an hour I caught a scent. It was him again. Before I could react, a large wolf slammed into my side and I was tossed into a tree. He dug his canines in me and went for the kill. He got a hold of my leg and started ripping at it. I knew I had to get away. I knew that if he was trying to stop me from getting to you it meant that the plan was already set in motion. So I bit down on his neck, hard enough to draw blood. He may be stronger than me, being an alpha and all, but my parents taught me well. When he had lost enough blood to be immobilized I left and ran again. After a few hours I was starting to feel dizzy from the blood loss but the thought of you being in pain is what got me through it, so I just kept running. I knew getting into someone else's territory was going to be dangerous especially considering I wasn't known by them and I was hurt. When I crossed unto the Blood Moon pack's territory I quickly sniffed you out and started running towards you.

And well... you know what happened next."

Holy. Fucking. Shit. Those ten minutes of fresh air did not cut it.

I wanted to hug her. To hug Lydia and tell her I forgive her and how sorry I am for what my father did to her. But at the same time, I wanted to run- I wanted to run the hell away from here.

As I was contemplating my next move, my fight or flight decision was made for me when Lydia flew to her feet and dashed towards me, pulling me into the hardest, most suffocating, warmest hug I had ever gotten in my life.

"I'm so sorry Avery! I really am. Please, please, please forgive me I can't bear losing you..." her words came out muffled as she had her face in the crook of my neck and was sobbing all over again.

Who am I kidding, so was I? I couldn't help the tears streaming from my eyes.

'Forgive her'

What? Who is this?

'Forgive her'

Who are you?

Hello?

What the hell is going on?

I looked around and realized everyone was looking at me, including Lydia. I hadn't noticed her removing her head.

"You okay?" I looked at Alex's worried face and nodded.

I looked to my side and saw James with a confused look on his face. He scanned my eyes as if searching for something.

"Avery..." I looked back at Alex who looked just as confused as his brother.

"Your eyes, they were white. Like completely white."

My eyes widened at the comment. Was this connected to the voice in my head? It was a woman's voice, that's all I was certain of. It did sound awfully familiar.

"I...I don't know." What the hell do I say? Damn, I'm really cursing a lot since coming here.

Okay, enough of this.

I shook my head and closed my eyes. Taking a few deep breaths before looking at Lydia who had her hands on my arms and looking at me with worry.

I cupped her face with my hands.

"You are my best friend. The only friend I have ever had. I understand why you couldn't tell me the truth back then. I understand that things were- complicated, I guess. But no more. You have to promise me that you will never lie to me again. I forgive you, Lydia, of course, I do. I mean, your damn leg was sticking out because you wanted to be here for me. And I'm sorry for what my dad did to you. I love you so much." My words were spoken softly and with love. I embraced her in another hug before slowly letting go. Lydia went to sit beside Natasha again, who was smiling at her daughter and me.

"I promise." I smiled and nodded at her response.

"Well if that was all-"

"No. I still have questions."

James was going to end our little "meeting" but I was nowhere near done.

"I appreciate that you all are telling me the truth and all but I need answers to what is happening right now." I looked over at James.

"Why do I have to marry you?"