~James' POV~
I watched as Avery walked out of the ballroom and towards the stairs, then I snapped my eyes back at the woman sitting by the bar. Natasha. She had a smirk on her face and winked at me as I was seething in anger.
When I saw Avery walking towards the crowd, I looked over to where her eyes were and saw Natasha gazing at her. She was using her magic to lure her there which was strictly forbidden. However, she was here with Carlos. Another Alpha from the adjoining pack a few hours away. He was also my uncle. I trusted him with my life. Natasha was Carlos' second mate and they were madly in love. That didn't, unfortunately, take away her joy of messing with other people.
" What's going on-" Alex started to ask, but when he saw who I was looking at he stopped.
" Shit. Where's Avery?" He asked
" Upstairs in her room, she will be down here any minute," I said, never taking my eyes away from Natashas.
Natasha's phone rang and she picked it up. Only then did we break eye contact and I turned towards Alex.
I saw Natasha's eyes lighting up at whatever the person on the phone said and I decided to listen in.
' It's time. The last part of our deal and then you're done' I heard Natasha say
' Are you sure she won't be able to leave? That it is to early and she will escape?' The recipient asked. I recognized her voice. It was Avery's mother. She sounded worried.
' The place is packed with werewolves and James will not let her leave. Plus I am here. If anything were to go wrong I will fix it'
' Lovely. Then we are done here' was the last thing Madeline said and her voice had changed from worry to... content. Natasha hung up the phone and turned to me. She waved her hand before walking over to Carlos and wrapping her arm around his. They looked at each other adoringly. I was glad to see him happy and in love again. I just wished for the love of the godess that it didn't have to be with her.
" Something is about to happen," I said as I turned to Alex
" I know, brother,"
" Did you guys hear her conversation?" We nodded to Amber as she came up to us.
"Keep an eye out for Avery. She should be back soon,"
We stood by the long table on the left side in the middle of the room, as everyone else were scattered around and about.
I was sipping on my whiskey keeping my eyes on the door. And then she came. The second she stepped in my heart skipped a beat. She smiled at me and while walking towards us, when her phone rang. She smiled looking at the caller ID and then held a finger up gesturing for me to wait. She answered the phone with a big smile on her face.
After a while her smile faltered and she turned around, looking at me with wide eyes that were glistening from the tears building up. I could hear her conversation. It was her mother and she told her everything.
Alex leaned over my shoulder as I was taking another sip, one hand on the glass and the other in my pant pocket. My gaze was constantly on her. A void of emotion appeared on my face. This was it.
" She knows." Was all Alex said while also looking at her. Waiting for the next move.