Chapter two

Lucas, leaned against a pillar, his gaze fixed upon the training grounds. Avery observed from a distance, keenly aware of the fact that he was watching her like a predator watches he's prey.

She groans how many times she had been knocked to the ground and had a gun pointed to her all in the name of training. She turns to Lucas who is still watching her he's expression unreadable frustrating her the more. Sighing she gets up and tries fighting her opponent again how did he expect to focus when she could feel the intensity of his gaze piercing through her.

"Lucas" Ethan calls out as he walks up to the don bowing portraying his respect

"Ethan" Lucas places his hand on Ethan's shoulder but Ethan steps back making Lucas scoff a smirk playing on his on his lips, they had been best friends for years but Ethan still loved to keep things professional especially when people where around.

"Why did you call me" Ethan askes

Lucas turns to Avery "what do you think" following his gaze his eyes lands on her the moment she falls flat on her face

"Two months she dead"

Lucas nudges him "tsk tsk tsk I had a feeling you'd say something like that"

Ethan turns to him abruptly "The midnight wolves have been our rivals for years; both groups have hated each other you know all these" he began "besides if you wanted the midnight wolves Blackwell would have given them to you on a silver plate…you didn't need the daughter" he continued.

"As my consigliere its disappointing you don't know this" Lucas replies "Blackwell that coward betrayed me once what makes you think he wouldn't do it again, but with Avery despite his stupidity he's not foolish enough to try and betray me again knowing her life is in my hands and once she's gone, he's next he'd do anything to escape death" he stops turning to Ethan "Besides, is that worry I sense from you" he teases

"I rather die" he snaps before walking away

Lucas scoffs watching him leave "How could he be constantly rude" he chuckles before calling out "Avery"

AVERY'S POV

Avery turns around her eyes landing on the man who was supposed to be her husband but it didn't feel like it. Lucas was tall well-built he had a prince charming face small and warm blonde hair and handsome with piercing green eyes just like her

If we had kids, they would have our eyes…not that I want them

I quickly rush up to him my heart racing I had notice him and Ethan talking earlier and it doesn't take a magician to know they were talking about me, why did he want to talk to me was he mad at me for falling on my face for at least hundred times today he was probably going to scold me or punish me

I suck in my bottom lip just the thought of him

Not now Avery

"Avery" he calls out snapping me out of my thoughts

I look at him unable to answer

"Walk with me"

We walk out of the training room to the hallway

"It's been two months since you came here what do you think"

I clear my throat "you have a lovely house" what was I saying. He chuckles thankfully

"Thank you" he smiles showing of his perfect teeth "I know its hard you're clearly struggling"

"I'm sorry" I quickly apologize the last thing I wanted from him was disappointment

"Its fine but I hope you know I'm always going to be here if you need something or someone" we come to a halt in front of my room door. I raise my head for the first-time sine we started talking, he smiles and I can't help but smile back

More like blush

I nod "Thank you I won't forget"

"Okay then" he comes closer pacing a hand on my check as he pecks my forehead. I try to hide my surprise and excitement

"Ill see later" he gives me one last smile before walking away. Quickly I rush into my room shutting the door behind me burying my face in my bed it shouldn't have been a big deal but for a married couple that bearly talk an sleep in separate rooms it was.

Could this day get any better

© *************

Third person POV

Bored and restless Avery gets up changing out of her training uniform and heads out of her room. The house was so large she had been here for two months and was sure she hadn't seen half of the house but she didn't care about any of that the only room that caught her attention was don Lucas's secret room no one was allowed to go in not even the soldiers or cleaners only don Lucas and Ethan were allowed inside.

she wonders about coming near the kitchen she hears voices

"I cannot believe she actually came here" one of the cooks Margret scoffs sitting down

"Who are we talking about" the second cook Linda askes

"What was her name" she rolls her eyes "Oh right Avery" Avery halts then takes a step back leaning on the wall she was just about to walk in.

"Oh, the don's wife…well it's not like she actually had a choice she could have lost have life"

"If I was her, I would choose death in a second being here is has to be worse than dying I mean the don doesn't even look at her she's so pathetic" she chuckles

Avery closes her eyes taking a deep breth on any other day she would have ignored them as usual but today was a good day and she would not let them ruin it

"Well, I'd rather be married to the Don than endure your miserable cooking attempts; coming from someone who can't even get a soufflé to rise" Avery sneered grinding her teeth

Marget jumps up from where she's been sitting stammering. "Mrs. Blackwell-I didn't-didn't see you there"

"Considering the time you spend burning dishes, I'm amazed you notice anything beyond your terible disasters." Avery continues glaring as she steps closer to Margret

"I'm so-so sorry-I..."

"And let me warn you" she cuts her off "The next time you dare to say nonsense about me or even let my name slip out of your mouth I will burn you alive" she warns her eyes daring

"Yes ma'am" she trembled scurrying away Avery sighs

The head cook an aged figure walks in portrays respect "Mrs. Blackwell…" Avery's heart fell she was a married woman who was unwillingly bearing her backstabbing fathers name because her so called husband did not acknowledge her as his wife.

"Mrs. Blackwell" the woman calls her again bringing her back to reality

"Yeah?" she sits down on a small chair by the door portraying for the head cook to join her

"take no heart to her words she just loves to run her mouth when no one's watching" she offers in a comforting manner taking her sit

"She was right though" Avery chuckles bitterly it would be stupid to deny the obvious truth

"Maybe she was but the don is like that to everyone well except the consigliere Ethan, and its reasonable they've been best friends for years"

"Why am I not surprised" Avery rolls her eyes "Was he always like this Ethan?" she asks curiously usually the don always had a cheerful friend but from what she knew Ethan was far from cheerful she had never seen him smile not even a smirk the only time he seemed human in a way was back at the warehouse even though he was rude.

The head cook sighs "When he came here," the she began, her voice a low murmur amidst the fact they were the only ones there, "a while before the late Don passed away, he was just a boy. He was wounded, not just physically but on the inside. I could tell."

Meanwhile, in the quiet solitude of his room, Ethan lay ensnared in the tendrils of a restless slumber. The dim light painted his features with an ethereal glow, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he grunted, wrestling with a shadowy nightmare.

"Please... please stop," he muttered in his sleep, the words escaping with a breathlessness that hinting at the haunting intensity of his dreams. "It's so hot…I can't…I can't…breathe"

Avery, her gaze fixed on the head cook sought clarity amidst the cryptic revelations.

"What do you mean?" she inquired, she was curious

"I don't know the whole story." The Head cook's response was measured, delivered in a shushed tone. "No one knows, not even the Don. All we know is, one day, the late Don goes out and returns with this little boy, now consigliere Ethan."

In the dim-lit confines of Ethan's room, the air hung heavy with the evident tension of a troubled sleep. He groaned on the bed, his eyes tightly shut against the unseen adversaries that haunted his dreams.

"Ahhh."

Back in the kitchen, the Head Cook, leaned in, revealing lines etched by years of silent observation.

"Rumor has it that he has these frequent nightmares," the Head Cook continued her voice heavy. "Screaming like a madman, facing death."

Within the confines of Ethan's room, the torment continued unabated. His groans in pain merged with silent tears, each gasp for air reminiscent of a soul grappling for a string of hope. Abruptly, his eyes flew open, wide with terror, a silent scream trapped in his throat.

The kitchen, now shrouded in contemplative silence, became the backdrop for the Head cook to deliver her concluding remarks.

"But I guess we'll never know," she mused, the weight of the untold history settling like a fine dust upon the shoulders of those present.

Avery now walking to her room deep in thought she had to leave the head cook to continue with her job, she had never thought Ethan would have gone through anything she always thought of him cold he's expression was so firm unreadable like he was guarding his thoughts from being known.

"What are you doing" a voice brings her back to reality she has been getting more lost in her thoughts lately. Turning around she sees Ethan as always, he is curt, she stares at him searching for even a crack to his mind but she finds none only a small cut under his eye she had never noticed it neither had she noticed how handsome his deep brown hair smoldering grey eyes so deep and beautiful she could actually stare into them forever and his lips….

"Enjoying the view" Ethan scoffs sarcastically.

She rolls her eyes how could she forget his major character-he was terribly arrogant but nevertheless she was glad he interrupted her thoughts she almost reached out for him.

"As if" she scowls awkwardly clearing her throat "I came out for a stroll, you?"

He watches her closely as if trying to determine if he should tell her or not "None of your business" he finally responds turning away.

"Wait" she grabs his wrist; he turns around looks at her then her hand holding him then back at her his expression dangerous

She stares at him confused before realizing that she's holding onto him quickly she lets go of him "oh my God" she grimaces

He lets out a deep sigh "what do want"

'What the hell, does he have to be so rude it's not like I tried kiss him or something' Avery thought to her self

"I have a proposal for you"

"The fuck" he curses under his breathe frustration growing

"I want you to train me" she continues ignoring his obvious frustration.

He scowls for like the fiftieth time" Are you crazy? why the fuck would I do that" he sneers. Avery takes in a deep breathe this was the longest conversation she had ever had with this man it was also the worst time she had had since coming here. If only she had a knife present

She plasters a fake smile on her face "You've seen how bad I am at it…"

"Let me guess you want to be acknowledged by the don" he interrupts his tone dripping with sarcasm.

'asshole' she thought with an eyeroll

"Of course, after all he's my husband- plus I can't be weak and keep feeling sorry for myself forever you said that yourself" she sighs "So please help me" she gives him her best puppy face

After hesitating for a while, he finally responds "-and what do I get out of all this

She scoffs surprised how could he be so cruel and annoying "Are your serious right now

"Nothings free in life" he replies voice flat.

"Fine, ill owe you for life do whatever you want as long as its not something crazy"

He bites his lips pondering

How could he be this fine he was better looking than Lucas

Gross what is wrong with

"Okay let's go" he turns around and heads in the direction of the training room.

"Wait right now…oh my God" she screams groaning before following him.

The training room silent and calm for the first time throughout the day as Avery and Ethan entered they were the only two in there.

"So what's you're plan" Avery quipped after changing into her training clothes

"Just follow my lead princess"

"Don't call me that. Just Avery is fine," she retorted, a spark of defiance in her eyes.

Ethan turns to her his voice in a low growl "Ill call you whatever I damn want to" Avery scoffs speechless at his rudeness and audacity

"You want to be strong? Prove it," Ethan challenged, coming closer to her. He didn't realize how intense his gaze had become.

Avery, feeling a mix of irritation and determination, stepped forward. "Prove it? I'll have you know, I'm stronger than you think."

"Your confidence will kill you"

"Not if I kill who wants me dead first" she shrugs with a smirk

"One would think you are a badass" he mumbles to himself his tone low the corner of his lips slightly lifted. "Come at me"

Avery takes a deep breathe jerking him by the collar he rolls his eyes and hits her slightly in the waist.

"Oww" she grabs her waist in pain

"Die" he points the gun to her with a shrug "Again"

5 minutes later

"Do you think your opponent would let you grab him like that" he scowls "again"

15 minutes later

"what the hell is this?!! are you are messing around?! why are you so calm?! again"

25 minutes later

"Your form is terrible. Are you even trying? Again"

1 hour later

"I give up… I can't… I can't to this" Avery groans breathlessly lying on the floor

"You're going to quit after what an hour of training, how pathetic cant believe I wases my time training a failure" Ethan scoffs walking away. She removes her shoe and throws it at him he pauses his back to her

"Let's continue, I maybe many things but definitely not a failure" she said standing to her feet with his back to her he smirks before turning to her with a firm expression "Let's begin ten"

They continue training Avery gives it her all and Ethan's becomes more gentle

"Wait" he steps in adjusting her posture "Its more like this" he corrects placing his hands on her waist. They lock eyes

 Ethan drops his hand stepping away from her his expression unreadable "That's all for today"

"Are you kidding, I mean I just got better"

"We'll continue tomorrow it's not like you can become perfect in one day" he said as he pointed towards the door "Leave"

Avery scoffs covering her face with her hands due to frustration "Fine I'll see you tomorrow" she sighs walking out the door.

Ethan takes in her fading frame