Chapter 13

Avery's pov

I opened my eyes, shielding them a bit as the morning rays entered my eyes. I stretched a bit and then I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

I lay in the bathtub and I let the warm water relax my body. I sighed as I closed my eyes, memories of past events coming to mind.

It has been just two days since I arrived at Devon's castle and I must say, I was enjoying myself a lot. Everyone here was nice to me and they treated me like I was worth something.

I felt loved for the first time in a while. I had heard that there was going to be a welcome party for me in a few days. I was a bit scared at the thought of standing or being in the presence of so many people but I wasn't going to run. Devon had promised to be with me throughout the party.

I opened my eyes after a while and I sighed again. I stood up to leave the bathroom because the water had gone cold. I would have loved to stay there forever, relaxed and free of worries.

I opened the door to the walk-in closet and my eyes sparkled again. It never ceased to amaze me whenever I came here. Who knew some people kept clothes in separate rooms?

The clothes were a large variety of different styles and levels of casualness, no matter the occasion I thought of, there was a cloth to match in here. There were even latex straps for sex. I blushed as I saw that and looked away quickly.

I went to a section where there were simple gowns, I closed my eyes and picked one randomly. If I decided to pick one normally, I would probably spend hours in this closet trying to make up my mind; all of them were perfect.

I opened my eyes to look at the dress I picked, a small smile on my face. It was a free-flowing white gown made of soft silky material. I could already imagine the comfort just by touching it.

I walked out of the closet and went to the standing mirror. I brushed my hair, applied as minimal cosmetic as possible and then I wore the dress.

As I walked outside the castle and into the garden, I felt a stare from almost everyone I passed by. I felt extremely nervous and I wondered what I had done wrong. My body was jittery and I could barely walk straight.

I turned around and began to head back to the garden as quickly as possible when I bumped into someone.

"I-I'm so sorry." I quickly stammered out. I raised my head and saw a face I found familiar. It was Isabella.

"Avery? What's wrong?" She asked me, and I could hear the concern in her voice. I breathed a sigh of relief as I hugged her. She was the only familiar face I knew here.

"I don't know, I don't know what I did but all these people just keep staring at me." I poured out, I could feel my eyes sting with tears and I had to try hard to prevent them from falling.

She was quiet for a while before she sighed. I felt my heart thud in my chest, does she know what I did? I pulled back looking her in the eye and asking her,

"Do you know what I did?"

"Don't be silly Avery, you did nothing wrong."

"Really? Please tell me if I did, I promise I won't do it again." I pleaded. I held her hands in mine trying to make her know that I was sincere about my words.

She chuckled and then she pulled me along, walking towards the garden. I followed her quietly, she was probably trying to take me somewhere private to tell me what I had done.

I didn't want to be sent away from here and I didn't want the people here to hate me. Whatever I had done was unintentional but I would take responsibility for it and make sure I don't do such a thing again.

We arrived at the garden and she took me to a small lake at the edge of the garden.

"Look in it, tell me what you see."

"Uhm, nothing?"

"You, I see you. You are a very beautiful young woman, why shouldn't people stare?"

"Uhm, I–I don't know?"

"You need to be more confident and less nervous. Alpha Devon likes confident women, even if you have done something wrong, carry yourself like you did the right thing."

"Okay, thank you. It's just that I've always been looked down upon and disliked by the people around me. I guess I just wasn't used to people not hating me."

"It's okay. From now on, I will be by your side."

"Really?" I asked, my eyes sparkling. I was finally going to have a friend that I could relate to.

"Yes. Who wouldn't want a beautiful person as their friend?" she said, a smile blooming on her face. She was extremely beautiful. Isabella gave off a dominant aura that enhanced her beauty.

"You are also a very beautiful Isabella." I blurted out, my face went red a moment later and I couldn't maintain my eye contact. I was new to this.

"I know, hence my previous statement," Isabella replied smugly. We both burst out into laughter.

"So, what are you wearing to the welcome party?" she asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"I'm not sure yet, I wanted to wear something that would please Alpha Devon." I blushed.

Alpha Devon has been nice to me ever since I arrived and he was even waiting for me to be ready to have sex before we did anything. I wanted to please him.

"Well, alpha Devon likes women with self-respect. So a simple evening gown that hides your curves from these other greedy dogs should do."

"Thanks for the advice, you are a good friend." I smiled at her.

"Yes, yes I am." she smiled back.