Averna

Archer's Bar

Averna's P.O.V

As I arrived at the bar I take in a deep breath to prepare myself for what was about to happen. Making my way to the door I think I see a familiar Ducati sitting in the parking lot but shake the thought from my mind as I consider the fact that the bike was only taken to Gary's this afternoon so the likelihood of it already being fixed isn't high.

Walking through the door I inhale the familiar scent of wood and alcohol, scanning the crowded pub I spot the two people I'm searching for; one being the owner of the pub - my boss - Henry, with the other being the waste of space I was called to collect. My Father.

He was greying at the roots along with his overgrown scraggly beard and his skin looked haggard, you wouldn't believe that he used to be an attractive well-known businessman. His shirt was stained as if he only had the one, holes in his jeans from extreme overuse and finally, his boots that were so scuffed they looked as if they were from the Victorian times. Although after all those trials where the government was trying to get him done for all those crimes you can't expect much else, however, none could stick as the people who that Rat worked for got him out every - single - time. But once they realised that he was being constantly watched they beat him and then cut him loose turning him into the hollow man he is now.

Taking a deep breath I start making my way over towards Henry. Once I was within 2 metres of the bar Henry looked up and noticed me, inclining his head towards the Rat, I just nodded my head to say that I see him. Continuing my walk over I stop once next to my father and take a deep breath then turn to him.

"Come on, Dad finish your drink, and then let's go home," I said it softly so that he couldn't even try to mistake my voice as aggressive otherwise he would start a scene, and I really didn't want to deal with that tonight.

He turned towards me slowly, then looked at me as if he didn't recognise me for a second, shortly after recognition flared and he turned away grumbling to himself, downed the rest of his whiskey, and tried to stand up. He promptly fell into me, making us both stumble.

"You got him, A. Need any help getting him to the car?" Henry asked concernedly, looking at him over my shoulder as I turned both me and my father towards the door I just shook my head and said;

"Nah, it's good. We'll make it." I told him tiredly.

Stumbling our way to the door some of the regulars say 'Hi' and wolf whistle as I walk past. Ignoring them I use my father to nudge the door open

"Come on dad try to stand up a little on your own please!" I said exasperated and already tired from holding his weight. Finally getting out the door we head towards my car which I parked closer to the door for this exact reason.

Once I've managed to maneuver him into the back seat of my car I shut the door and quickly make my way back into the bar to pay the asshole's tab which came to a lovely £30. While doing this I hear someone call out to me...

"Averna. Did he get in okay? Didn't cause you any trouble did he?" Henry asks me quietly but also with a look of concern on his face that ages him a good 5 years.

"Yeah, Henry he was fine. Drunk enough to be calm but not drunk enough to be an idiot!" I replied with a small smirk on my face which just earned me a look of resignation from Henry. With a small smile on my face I start to turn away from Henry to head back towards the car I feel a shiver make its way down my spine, one that has me stopping and turning back towards Henry. And that's when I see him...tall, dark and mysterious...yeah I'm not that cliche! I saw Samuel though which I didn't expect.

"Oh! Hey, Samael didn't realise you were here yet. This is Averna my best employee and closest friend. Averna this is my nephew Samael, he's recently just come into town to help me run this place and to continue his studies." Henry introduced us not yet knowing that his nephew and I were already acquainted.

"Thanks, Uncle Henry but we already met on my way into town. Averna here is the woman I was telling you about that gave me a ride to the mechanics when my bike broke down." Samuel informed his Uncle whilst also revealing that he had been talking about me to his Uncle and confirming that the Ducati I had seen in the car park was in fact his.

"Oh REALLY!! I should've guessed really when you said a beautiful woman offered you a ride into town to Garry's." Henry chuckled quietly but his calling me beautiful had a red flame quickly crawling its way up my body and onto my face.

"I'd have to agree, she is rather exquisite..." Samuel replied acting as if this was a perfectly normal conversation and as if I wasn't there at all.

Deciding that they were content talking with each other I tried to make an escape to my car so I could finally get the reason I came out tonight to bed and then hopefully go home and cuddle my baby and my Alpha. Finally making it to my car I unlocked it and as I was starting to open the door, a voice called out to me;

"Where are you going, Agapi." Just then an arm comes round beside me, making me jump and bump into a solid chest. Turning my head sharply I see piecing grey eyes staring into mine making me gasp at their brightness.

Somehow the night sky makes his eyes burn brighter as if starlight was being reflected in his eyes and I was now staring at an ocean of darkness. These eyes sparked a flame of familiarity deep within me to a point where I was torn between feeling as if by staring so deeply into Samael's eyes I was betraying my mate and feeling as if I simply wanted to drown myself within his ocean of darkness.

Snapping out of the trace I was stupefied into I narrowed my eyes at Samael at turned fully facing him to answer his original question;

"I'm going to take this twat home as because of him I've had to lose time between my ma- boyfriend, son and myself! So if you'll oh so kindly remove your arm out of my way I will be going to feed my son then put him to bed before having to come back here for work!" I rushed out feeling as though I had to get it all out at once so that a very clear boundary would be drawn between us.

Without another word or looking in anyone's direction, I pulled open the driver's side door and got in before I changed my mind and stayed longer than necessary.

And with that, I started the engine and drove back home...