Carolina's POV
The evening grew quiet after we had our dinner, where I'd managed to avoid most of Avon's penetrating stares across the elaborate dining table.
Dahlia's earlier excitement about my mating to the Lycan King still rang in my ears, "Car, do you realize what this means? You're literally the future queen of the entire werewolf kingdom!" But her enthusiasm only highlighted my own reservations.
How could I possibly be mated to someone who wielded authority like a weapon, who seemed to know everything about power but nothing about tenderness?
I emerged from a long, hot bath, my skin flushed pink from the steam and scented with lavender. The bathroom's warm lights cast a gentle glow across the marble floors as I wrapped myself in a plush white towel.
My mind wandered to earlier conversations with Dahlia, who insisted Avon looked at me differently than anyone else. "He softens around you," she'd said. "You just haven't noticed it yet."
The bedroom door opened with a quiet click, and my breath caught in my throat. Avon stood in the doorway, his powerful frame wrapped in black silk that made my pulse quicken traitorously.
Droplets of water still clung to his dark hair from his own shower, and the sight made something deep within me stir. I quickly averted my gaze, suddenly very aware of the thin towel being my only covering.
"I came to ensure you were properly settled for the night," he said, his voice carrying that usual commanding tone, though something else lingered beneath it, something almost vulnerable.
Without a word, I tried to sidestep him to reach the wardrobe, desperately needing to put on something more substantial, but his reflexes were faster.
In one fluid motion, he pulled me against his chest, and the heat of him through the silk robe made my head spin.
Before I could process what was happening, his lips found mine in a kiss that tasted of destiny and desire.
I never felt anything sweeter than his lips so I moaned at the sickeningly sweet sensation. The moan that escaped me was embarrassingly needy, but he swallowed it with another kiss, deeper this time.
I felt my feet leave the ground as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bed with a grace that came with his size. The towel fell away, and his robe followed, leaving nothing between us but the whisper of night air.
I was already aching, my body remembering what my mind couldn't from our first encounter. This time was different, I was fully present, almost painfully aware of every touch, every breath.
"You have no idea the things you do to me, Sugar." he growled, his eyes roaming over me with an intensity that should have made me want to hide. Instead, I felt powerful, desired.
When I tried to look away, overwhelmed by the emotion in his gaze, he lowered himself over me, and the contact of skin against skin drew a gasping moan from my lips.
His mouth found mine again, and rational thought fled entirely. I wasn't sure if it was my newly awakened werewolf senses or just the effect he had on me, but every touch felt magnified, every sensation almost too much to bear.
When his hands found my breast, teasing and exploring, stars exploded behind my closed eyelids. His name fell from my lips like a prayer, while he whispered mine like a sacred incantation.
The moment we joined, I clung to him as if he were my anchor in a storm. My fingers traced the powerful muscles of his back as he moved, and for the first time since discovering my true nature, I felt completely free.
The barriers I'd built, the fears I'd harbored, they all melted away in the heat of his embrace.
In that moment, I wasn't a doctor thrown into a world of werewolves. I wasn't the lost daughter of an Alpha, or even the mate of the Lycan King. I was simply Carolina, and I was whole, alive, and utterly, blissfully free.
The next morning, I woke up the next morning from a peaceful sleep. For the first time since arriving in New York, I didn't feel like running away.
Maybe life here wouldn't be so terrible if Avon continued showing his gentler side, the one I'd discovered last night. I stretched lazily in the huge bed, my muscles pleasantly sore. A blush crept up my cheeks.
"I should probably call Mom and Dad," I mumbled to myself, meaning my foster parents.
The ones who'd raised me without any knowledge of werewolves or mates or any of this craziness. I hadn't spoken to them since everything changed and now I feel peaceful enough to.
I glanced at my phone: 8:30 AM. After extracting myself from the tangled sheets, I padded to the bathroom, catching my reflection in the mirror. My dark hair was a mess, and my lips still looked slightly swollen from last night's kisses.
"Look at you," I said to my reflection, poking at my stomach. "All this lounging around, eating fancy food. I'll turn into a fat cow at this rate."
But I couldn't help smiling, remembering how Avon had whispered that I was perfect just as I was.
After a quick shower, I dressed in comfortable jeans and a sweater, making my way down to breakfast.
The dining room was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a manicured garden. Avon was already there, looking unfairly handsome in a crisp black suit.
He looked up when I entered, his expression softening. "Good morning, little wolf."
"Good morning," I replied, feeling my cheeks heat up at the nickname.
"I'm sorry I left the bed early," he said, pulling out a chair for me. "There were some urgent pack matters to handle."
"It's fine," I managed, suddenly very interested in the elaborate place setting before me.
"How was your sleep last night?" He asked, flashing me a mischievous smile.
Heat crept up my cheeks. "Perfect."
"Happens when you let me put you to bed." He teased me.
"Avon!" I threw a grape at him, which he caught effortlessly.
"You're adorable when you blush," he said, popping the grape into his mouth.
Then he placed a plate of fresh fruit in front of me. "You need to keep up your strength." He kissed my forehead.
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying something about my appetite?"
He actually chuckled. "You're eating for two now, Carolina. I want you both healthy." He suggested.
I smiled at him but the words both made me think how this is all happening fast. I'm carrying a baby.
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang. Avon frowned, clearly, he wasn't expecting anyone.
"I'll get it," he said, rising from his chair.
I heard voices in the foyer, then what sounded like an argument. Suddenly, three women burst into the dining room, brushing past Avon as if he weren't the most powerful werewolf in existence.
My stomach dropped when I recognized Natalia among them. She wore a tight red dress that probably cost more than my monthly salary back in LA.
The other two were straight out of a fashion magazine, one with perfectly styled blonde hair, the other with striking silver locks.
None of them bothered to greet me. The silver-haired woman fixed me with a cold stare and declared.
"Since nobody's bothering with introductions," she purred, "I'll do the honors. Your new little pet might want to know exactly who you are, Avon darling."
Avon moved toward them, "Lisa," his voice dropped dangerously. "Leave. Now."
"Why?" She laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Because you're done with me? Found yourself a new slut to warm your bed?"
My stomach churned. His ex. Of course he had an ex. Probably many of them. Why hadn't I thought of that?
"Lisa, enough!" Avon growled, really angry now. "She's my mate. You never were."
The blonde woman scoffed. "Mate? Please. Men like you and Reino don't mate. You use and discard."
Natalia stepped forward, her perfect features twisted in a smug smile. "Not such a prize after all, is he, sister dear? But then, you're used to second-hand things, aren't you?"
"Get out!" Avon growled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "If any of you ever step foot in my house again..."
They turned in perfect unison and clicked their way out, leaving devastation in their wake.
Avon turned to me, his expression softening. "Carolina, let me explain-" he started, reaching for me.
I held up my hand, already backing away. "Don't."
"Please-"
"I need to go back to Los Angeles." I was already moving toward the stairs.
"Carolina, wait-"
I ran to the bedroom, grabbing my phone and purse with shaking hands. Avon appeared in the doorway, blocking my exit.
"Move," I said quietly.
"Just let me explain."
"Explain what?" My voice cracked. "That your ex-girlfriend can waltz in here anytime she wants? That this place I thought was safe is just another battlefield? I'm better off back to my normal life." I ended up sniffing.
"That's not-"
"I need time alone." I pushed past him, hearing him curse as I fled. "I can't do this right now."
I practically ran down the stairs. The front door seemed miles away, but finally, I was through it, out in the morning air that suddenly didn't feel so fresh anymore.
"Airport," I told the taxi driver who'd had the good fortune to be passing by. "As fast as you can."
The drive to the airport was a blur. I didn't let myself cry until I was safely in a bathroom stall, booking my flight back to Los Angeles with trembling fingers.
"Home," I whispered to myself. "I'm going home."
That's what I needed, somewhere familiar, somewhere safe. Somewhere without complicated werewolf politics and ex-girlfriends and mates who kept shattering peace.
I was a mate who seemed to collect broken hearts like trophies.
I touched my stomach gently. "Just you and me, little one. We'll figure this out somehow."
The flight announcement echoed through the terminal. Time to leave New York and all its wolves behind. At least, that's what I tried to tell myself as my heart ached with every step I took away from Avon.