Just A Taste Of Heaven

Chapter 20 - Born this way

The day of the game between Barsch Academy and Velho University had finally arrived. Everyone was excited, wanting to debate it. The Dark Wolves wanted to show that they deserved their place at the top of the league, while the Velho creatures wanted to prove that they were dominant this season. It was sure to be an explosive game!

Beta Arya decided to support her sons and nephew for the occasion. She attended all of the home games, but exceptionally the away games. One of the reasons she came was to see the girl who was ignoring her son and making him unhappy. Her mate had told her about his encounter when he went to see Caleb and she was dying to see her too. She would keep her distance but she wanted to put a face to a name. And since Avery was on the Velho cheerleading squad, it was the perfect excuse.

The Velho cheerleaders had built quite a reputation for their songs, which changed with each game and the teams that played them. They were known for their musical and tongue-in-cheek responses. People came out in droves to see what they had in store for the Barsch Academy Dark Wolves.

After the opening for the Barsch Academy cheerleaders, it was finally their turn. Lady Gaga's Born This Way, sung by Avery, was their introduction song. With a hectic choreography, they had introduced all the players. They chose this song as a tribute to Caleb and Aaron and the teasing they had endured the year before when Caleb was still at Barsch Academy. Throughout the game, they had responded with cleverness and style to the taunts of Mila and her team.

In the end, Velho's creatures won the game by a few points, but it was still a great victory. However, Caleb was no longer in the game, nor was he in the mood to celebrate this victory he had so desired! Indeed, with 10 minutes to go, something had happened. Avery froze and turned white. In less than a second, Faith was at her side and Caleb ran to join them during the next time out.

"What's going on?" He had inquired.

"Conan, Fenwick's son is here." Faith explained to him through the mindlink.

"They don't have any rights to you anymore, you hear me! Officially you are mine!" Caleb declared looking Avery straight in the eye.

"But I ran away! That deserves a punishment..." Avery whined, her eyes filled with fear.

"No! When I bought you, they gave up all actions against you. It would cost them dearly." Caleb calmly explained to help him calm down. Inside he was seething but Avery was already wretched, he couldn't make the situation any worse.

"Maybe you should pretend to treat me like one just in case." Avery stated.

"No. You've earned your freedom. Besides, for that to happen I'd have to touch you and we both know you're not ready."

"Yeah, well that'll be a good way to work it in..." Avery muttered.

"Just do it, please." Avery begged him.

"Okay, I'll let you know before I do it." Caleb replied reluctantly.

Faith went to Scarlett:" I need you to create a bond between me and Avery, A threat from her past is here and I need to make sure she is safe,"

"Okay, I can do that right at the end of the game. Will that be okay?" Scarlett answered her.

"I hope so. Normally yes but I don't want to take any chances." Faith told her.

When the end of the game was sounded, Caleb approached Avery.

Seeing his hesitation, Faith ordered him via their mind link: "Do it! You're not one of them. You're just trying to protect your friend."

"I know, but that doesn't make it any easier." He sighed.

"I'm sorry Av." He whispered to Avery, before grabbing her by the back of the neck so Avery would walk with him.

Even though she had prepared herself, she couldn't help but shiver.

"I know Cal. Neither of us want to but it's necessary, thank you." Avery whispered back to her.

"Don't thank me for that, please!" He stated in horror. He was so disgusted to have to something like that.

These exchanges had not escaped Beta Arya, who decided to go and talk about it with Danika, as her mate was not there. He and Luna Aurora had a meeting in Luna Aurora's birth pack. She didn't like to talk with Danika but now she needed answers. She couldn't help but worry about her future beautiful daughter. Indeed during the game she had observed her and her many glances at Landon... Something was holding her back, the question was what exactly?

"Hello Danika, it's been a while." Beta Arya greeted her.

"Arya, yes a few years." Danika answered her with a shy smile.

"Do you know what happened with Avery?" Beta Arya inquired of her.

"No idea, no. Caleb is pretty secretive about his friends and that girl clearly has trust issues. The only thing I can tell you is that she was afraid of something..."

"Or someone... You saw the way Caleb grabbed her at the end of the game, that was really weird..." Beta Arya agreed.

Before they could talk any further, Lucas interrupted them. As soon as they were away, he asked his mother why she was talking to Danika. She gave him a boilerplate answer, not wanting to worry her son about Avery. She promised herself that as soon as she could, she would investigate Avery. Right after the game, Lucas, Levi and her had a meeting with his father, so that would have to wait. Who would believe that in just a few hours she would have more answers than she had questions...

"Something is troubling you. Do you think the game was rigged?" Alpha Owen asked her.

"No, I wish because that would justify their defeat but no. It's about Landon's mate. I saw her and something happened. She stood petrified with fear, until Faith pulled her aside. Unfortunately, they were too far away for me to read their lips, but this is something serious. I think it's related to why she refuses any contact with Landon. I tried to question Danika but Lucas intervened when he saw me with her.." She explained to her older brother.

"Those boys are too protective of you! You think it was someone, more than something, don't you?"

"Yes, someone in our supporters. I have no doubt about that." She confirmed.

"Let me see if I can get the list and we can start with that." Alpha Owen suggested.

"That would be great. Thanks!"

Dominic and Blake gave Avery the night off because she didn't seem like her normal self. In fact, she was still shaken up from seeing Conan Fenwick in the audience at the game. Even though he was a year younger than she was, he had participated in the abuse she had suffered, almost since she arrived. He was an even more cruel monster than her father, if that was possible. She hoped she would never see him again.

In the middle of one of her dances, Faith felt a strong distress coming over her. It was so strong and came from nowhere that she lost her balance. It took her only a few seconds to understand that it was Scarlett's spell and that what she was feeling was Avery's emotions. She had to act fast! She rushed to the computer in Dominic and Blake's office and within minutes she had found all the information on Conan. It was time to pay him a visit!