Chapter 44 + Epilogue

**Chapter 44: Leave**

**Bianca**

“You’re leaving too?” I asked, unable to hide my astonishment.

Avery reached out to hold both of my arms. I watched his movements, including the way his beautiful eyes widened as he tried to get me to understand.

“I can’t leave him alone out there by himself. He needs to be reminded that somebody has his back,” Avery stated. “It doesn't feel good to watch him go by himself.”

“When will you be back?” I asked him.

Avery released a nervous laugh. “I’m not sure. But it shouldn’t last past a year. I’ll be back though, I promise.”

I lowered my gaze, unable to face him. “That's a long time. What am I supposed to do when I end up missing you?”

Our relationship just started. Even my family doesn’t know that we’re together. The public doesn’t know either. Not that I care if they do. Their opinions could slowly lick my ass.

What mattered most to me was that I would miss his company. I’ve grown so used to being by his side and staying over at his place since I didn’t want to sleep at mine. I’ve grown used to him going to work while I sit at his computer and sort out my assets while planning the next step of my future. My lips would find his as soon as I heard his key rattle the door.

“We can still call and text every day. You have my number, silly.”

“It’s not the same as talking to you every day.”

“We can Facetime every single night.”

“It’s not the same as feeling your presence.”

He pecked me softly on the lips. “Your pouting is cute, but I don’t like seeing you sad.”

He let go and removed a ring from his fingers. Avery took my left hand. He moved the ring up my ring finger and adjusted it so that I could see the large emerald stone fixed inside the silver band.

“I know you don’t normally wear rings,” Avery said. “But I would really appreciate it if you wore mine. It caught my scent after wearing it for so many years. If you need help in any way, go to my Alpha. From the ring alone, he’ll know that you’re with me. Also, I just thought it looked good on you.”

I rolled my eyes because I knew that last sentence was his real reason, but I smiled anyway. The added weight felt good. And since it carries his scent, I can smell it and be reminded of him every second.

“I’m not giving you this back,” I said. “Not even if you beg me.”

He chuckled. I wouldn’t expect it any other way. Also, there’s this.”

Avery dipped into his pocket and retrieved a key with red and black pom poms attached to the keyring. Avery placed the key in the center of my palm.

“I’m not asking you to move in. But you can come by whenever you want. You can keep it even when I come back.”

I raised an eyebrow and told him playfully, “What are you going to do when you come back and all your furniture is gone?”

Avery’s long, hearty laugh echoed off the black walls. He wiped away a fake tear. “I don’t think you want my furniture. You can totally find better.”

All playfulness left my face as I frowned. I stared into his eyes, unaware of what expression my face held.

“Call… call me as soon as you reach your destination. I know why you have to go, but that doesn’t make me less upset.”

“Thank you for understanding, Bianca. I love you.” He placed a kiss on my forehead. “And thank you for reminding me in so many little ways that you love me too.”

I sank into his arms after that. My lover held me tightly. His caring fingers combed through my hair.

“Are you hungry, darling?” I nodded. “I’ll order pizza with lots of meat, cheese and veggies on it for you.”

I nodded once again, burying my head into his chest.

Later that day, Avery packed his suitcase. After another passionate kiss full of emotion, he left.

________

**Epilogue - Sanctuary**

**Bianca**

I sold the apartment that Conroy left me in the divorce. I figured it was time to let it go. The new owners were a newlywed couple. The man was a Lycan while his wife was a werewolf. They seemed absolutely taken with each other. They reminded me of Conroy and I’s early days as a married couple. I silently hoped that they would have a better ending.

“Should these go in the dining room or the kitchen?” A young woman asked me, presenting a box of utensils that just arrived.

I twitched my lips from side to side, thinking. Within a few seconds, I told her my answer.

“Those are meant to be used so they should stay in the cabinet in the kitchen. The next time a package comes, let me know. It might be the plates that are meant to be inside the display case.”

“Yes, Miss Pilgrim.” Joana lowered her head and left me to my own devices.

Despite being just nineteen now, I decided to hire her as one of my new employees. Her enthusiasm to get things done proved to me that I made the right choice.

There was just one dirty spot left. I sprayed the glass and rubbed it in a circular motion. I stopped and stared at the now completely clean window. My lips spread into a smile. “Perfect.

The guesthouse was almost ready to be opened. I walked past other workers on the upper floor, saying hi to any worker I passed by with my cleaning equipment. People from the construction company I signed a contract with were adding the final touches to the new rooms I asked them to add to the building.

My grandmother’s home was being put to good use. All the antique elements that made the house unique would remain where they were. Now many people would be able to admire the decor, something I knew she would love.

I haven’t talked to my family in almost two years. I’m ashamed to say that I missed them. However, I have no urge to try and rebuild our relationship. The time had passed for that.

That hasn’t stopped them from sending me emails complaining that I didn’t have the decency to send Christmas presents and wish them a happy Christmas, despite us having never celebrated it in the past. I started using a different email for communication and started seeing a therapist to help deal with and manage the confusing thoughts in my head. It feels like I’m entering a new beginning.

The only thing missing was the love of my life. I slammed the broom closet shut and headed downstairs. We talked as recently as this morning, yet I’ve grown a strong desire to see him again, a desire that increases day after day. I was thinking of delaying the opening of the guesthouse to fly out to see him. The last I heard, they were in Malaysia. I couldn’t wait until I could feel him in my arms again. I wanted to be able to kiss his lips, hear his sweet words whispered in my ears, and roll my eyes at his cheesy jokes. My heart ached. I clenched my black and red blouse.

“Deep breaths, Bianca,” I said to myself. “You have work to focus on.”

I inhaled a deep breath. Then, I headed to the lounge. The TV was playing. I was about to turn it off when a familiar name caught my attention.

“...they have decided to name the charity The Cinderella Maker Foundation, in memory of their daughter who had passed away under mysterious circumstances. The goal, they stated, is for young women without any family support to have a chance at a better life that would have been impossible to acquire otherwise. This will pave the way for so many young women who have lost hope after graduating highschool…”

“My twin sister is going to apply to the foundation as soon as it launches,” Joana says.

Her presence was unexpected, but not unwelcome. I turned to her. “I didn’t know that you two didn’t have parents?”

“Oh, we do.” Joana shook her short brown hair. “They kicked Jeanie out when they found her with a girl. I followed behind her. There is no way I would leave my twin alone.”

I lowered my gaze. “I’m sorry. She didn’t deserve that.”

Joana shrugged with a smile. “It’s alright. She and her girlfriend are doing just fine. We all share an apartment. By the way, Miss Pilgrim, there is a male werewolf outside who says he knows you. Security stopped him but I told them I would ask you about him.”

I was already on the move by the time she arrived at her last sentence. Could it be that someone was pretending to be him?

He couldn’t be here. I just got off the phone with him a couple of hours ago. He’s supposed to be in Malaysia!

No matter how quickly he hopped on a flight, he wouldn’t get here in such a short amount of time.

I saw him smirking while being blocked from entering by two of my hired muscles. His white dress shirt and black slacks hugged his body. As he motioned to my grandmother’s house, chatting away, the guard only shook his head over and over again. I hurried down the steps.

“Avery!”

He looked over with shock then a smile. Almost there. I got in-between the guards and pushed them aside. I cared about nothing else but reaching my destination.

I flew into his arms and he caught me. Avery's arms tightly held the area above my hips. One of my legs was off the ground. My heart was pounding. I panted. Avery's left hand dug into my hair, caressing the back of my head. He rocked me from side to side.

I took in his scent, the feel of his chest and back, everything. He felt so firm underneath my touch.

My heart pounded so hard I could feel the vibrations in my ears. I clenched onto him as if he would disappear.

“Someone missed me,” Avery chuckled.

Just for that, I slapped him on his shoulder. He covered the spot and groaned, acting like I shot him. I waited until he was done with folded arms.

“Who’s fault is that?” I asked him. “And you tricked me on top of that! You weren’t in Malaysia at all, were you?” I was met with a smile.

Avery snaked his arms around my waist. “I know, I know. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Nah, I flew in yesterday and stayed at a hotel in town.”

I sighed, giving in to his touch as my cheek braced against his shirt. “Too long. I should punish you for it.”

It’s as if we were in our own little world. My workers must be watching us like hawks. None of that mattered, though. Now I had exactly what I needed to feel whole again.

Avery took me in with such tenderness in his gaze that all my resolve to pretend to be mad melted away.

“My wife can punish me anyway she wants.”

The corner of my lips turned upwards. I could punish him by making sure he took me out on a date each day of the week. That was until I realized something. “Wife?” I laughed, confused.

His eyes widened as if I had exposed some deep dark secret.

“Oops.” Avery chuckled with a broad smile. “Did I spoil the surprise?”

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

*Author’s Note*

Thank you so much for taking the time to give this book a chance. I’m sad to see it end, but I know that the time has come. The characters are now all free to celebrate new beginnings. Except the dead ones :3.

There are more books and stories coming. In case you want some free short stories and early access to new upcoming works, Readink/Anystories created author groups for some of us authors. You can text this number on Whatsapp:

1-876-362-5705

This number belongs to me. I will add you to the group. Just send a message that says (except the dead ones” with any emoji and I’ll know you’re one of my readers :3

And this marks the end of “You’re Looking Good, Princess”. See you in the next one!