The Connors pack is a very traditional one; few, if any, women hold important roles in this area, and that enrages Avery.

She has refused to speak with Alpha Connors, the new or old one, in the past based on her values, and nobody argued with her over it.

She never had a face to put to the former Alpha of this pack before, so at least something came out of that awkward encounter.

They arrive at the packhouse, where rooms have been prepared for them to stay in.

As soon as the door swings open, they are shown a woman who has her head down, staring at the ground as she greets them.

Even Roman looks horrified, as he stares at the former Alpha Connors.

The same woman, in a long, conservative black dress leads them up the stairs in utter silence, not even checking their names.

"Unfortunately, due to rumours that the Alpha Lancaster was coming with his mate, a single room was arranged for the two of you to share," the woman murmurs, "it will take us a while to organise a separate one, so we would appreciate your patience."

Avery raises a brow, and shakes her head, laying her hand gently on the woman's shoulder.

"Take your time, it's okay," she whispers to the lady, squeezing her shoulder gently as she breezes into the room with two of her bags.

Roman follows her in and closes the door behind him with a smirk as he approaches her.

He gets within three feet of her before she hears him, and she swings around and hits him in the throat.

He coughs and rubs his neck with an anguished look on his face, his eyes wide and watery.

"What is your interest in hurting me?" He gasps, shaking his head at her.

"I didn't know it was you. Besides, you have a conference to prepare for," she shrugs, digging through her bag to retrieve a long white dress and a sun hat with a wide brim.

She walks over to the adjoining bathroom after secretly pulling out some underwear, catching a glimpse of Roman when he pulls off his shirt, his back to her.

She looks at his tattoos for a minute, fascinated by the major one on his back that looks a bit like angel wings.

Avery quickly closes the door when she realises she's gawking, and then stares at herself in the mirror, letting out a growl of frustration before she strips out of her comfy clothes and quickly jumps into her dress.

Struggling to do up the zip at the back, she sighs and gives in after a minute and goes to the door, knocking before she emerges in case Roman is nude - not that she'd complain if he were.

"I need help doing up my dress," she grumbles, "please."

Roman strolls over, his slacks hung low on his hips and his hair messy - he looks absolutely edible to her.

He silently glides the zip up her back, running his fingers along her spine as he does.

A shiver runs through her body, and she feels his lips connect with her shoulder blade out of the blue, lightly pressing against her brand.

A stifled gasp escapes her lips, and she quickly hurries back into the bathroom, her body trembling at the touch.

What the fuck did he do that for? He totally ruined the moment, Sonya grunts, shaking out her coat.

Avery remains quiet, slipping her heels on and staring at her hair, silently deciding to braid it and add a crystal barrette that she remembers packing.

Five minutes later, her wild hair is contained into a messy fishtail braid, with pieces coming out and framing her face.

She nods in contentment, walking out of the bathroom with her comfy clothes in her hands.

Grabbing her makeup bag from her suitcase, she fills in her brows in the mirror beside Roman, while he ties his tie.

"I think you should keep your braid over your shoulder," he comments quietly, staring at her in the mirror.

"This way it hides the brand," Avery responds evenly, leaning closer to the mirror and adding mascara to her lashes.

It doesn't look right, so she adds some liner to her waterline, and when she's satisfied that she doesn't look like a raccoon, she steps back and observes herself in the mirror.

"I think you should show it off," he shrugs, running his fingers over the silvery mark on her shoulderblade.

"You wouldn't say that if you had one," she responds, "you get whispers following you, and it gets commented on everywhere."

"Everybody knows that you're an Unfortunate, it isn't a secret," he furrows his brows, looking at her face curiously.

"They know, but most of them don't remember. It's been six years since I was branded, it isn't fresh in everybody's minds," Avery replies as she does a twirl in the mirror.

"You look sensational," he smiles at her, and she gives him a smirk.

"I know, so do you," she chuckles, and he grins widely.

"We'd make a handsome couple," he teases, and Avery rolls her eyes, slapping his shoulder playfully.

"Fix your tie and come on, the bell is gonna be rung in a few minutes for breakfast before the meetings begin," she calls over her shoulder as she crosses the room to get her phone off her bed.

The two descent the stairs with their maid, who has been assigned to them for the whole weekend.

As soon as the two get down the stairs, somebody attacks Avery, arms thrown around her and face nestled into her shoulder.

"Hello, big sister!" York grins, squeezing her tight as she winds her arms around him and cuddles him back.

"Hello you tall bastard," she laughs, releasing him from her grasp.

"I love your dress," York nods, examining her before noticing Roman standing a few feet away from the two.

"Hello, Alpha Lancaster," he smirks, pinching Avery behind his back.

Avery squeaks, and stomps on York's foot with her heel, glaring at him as she turns around and bumps into her father, who looks extraordinarily apologetic and hugs her tightly.

He murmurs some words to her, and she rolls her eyes, hugging him tighter, and then releasing him.

"Breakfast time," she smiles and leads the four into the busy room.

Some people turn to stare at her, raising a brow when they see the tall blonde bouncing into a room with three men following her.

"Rapid Rock and the Lancaster packs have arrived," a man announces loudly, and Avery clenches her jaw, putting her shoulders back and walking calmly to where she can see their names on chairs.

"Jesus, I can't escape you," Avery mutters to Roman as she spots their chairs together.

He snorts and shakes his head, "if I didn't know any better, I'd say you organised for this to happen," he teases.

Avery nudges him gently before she attacks the bowl of food placed in front of her.

"The McConaghy pack," the announcer calls, and Avery lets out a squeal, jumping up.

A girl comes rushing towards her instantly, and the two jump at each other, their arms flying around each other.

Some of the Lunas nearby laugh at the scene, knowing the feeling.

"Mer," Avery beams, squeezing the girl as tight as she can.

"Let go of me, dumbass," the Hispanic girl snorts, slapping Avery's arm to be released.

"Where's Mike?" She asks curiously, and the girl rolls her eyes.

"Somewhere talking probably, I told him I wanted to find you, so me and one of the guards narrowed it down to the breakfast room," she laughs.

"Meredith, you never told me you were coming to this," she scolds, and the girl playfully glares at her.

"And you never told me about your hunk of man meat. I had to find out from the maids! You slut," she hisses, giggling as she speaks.

Avery joins her laughing, shaking her head when she notices people listening in.

"I'll fill you in later, promise," she laughs, and Meredith puts a hand on her forehead.

"There's stuff to fill me in on! How scandalous! I need to go find my wayward mate so he eats before we have to sit for six hours, we're having drinks later," the woman demands, before squeezing Avery again and scampering off.

"A friend?" Roman smiles, as Avery sits down and starts stuffing her face enthusiastically.

"Best friend," she responds, her mouth full of strawberries.

"Jesus, Ave, remember your manners you pig," York says in disgust, scrunching his nose up at her.

Avery stares at him, a deadpan expression on her face before she drops her jaw open and lets him see the mushed up fruit in her mouth.

"Shut the fuck up, Yorkie, at least I'm not named after a dog," she snorts once she swallows, and her brother rolls his eyes.

"Thank Goddess, your mother isn't here," their father sighs, looking somewhat horrified.