Help...I can't swim

ASHLEY

The guards tossed me into the cell like a sack of meat. My shoulder slammed into the wall, and my forearm scraped raw against the rough floor. I let out a groan as the pain tore through me.

I leaned against the wall, letting the silence seep in. 

This place was never meant to feel like home. And yet, it was kinder than the people who claimed to love me.

The hunger gnawing at my insides. Eventually, exhaustion won, and I drifted off.

When I opened my eyes again, the room was cloaked in darkness—night had fallen. Then came the noise.

A faint noise echoed from outside the door. I stilled, every muscle tense.

Using the low light in the room, I navigated my way to the door, careful not to stumble into anything to draw attention to myself.

I touched the doorknob, twisting gently. I was startled by it.

It wasn't the only thing that surprised me; it was the note on the ground.

Picking it up, I strain my eyes to read the content.

“Meet me at the lake,” I read.

The lake. My heart skipped a beat as I held onto the note with trembling hands.

“Jason,” I whispered. The lake was our secret place. At least, that was what I called it while growing up, because Jason was always there, and I, on the other hand, tried to get his attention.

No one ever went to the lake, as it seemed like a sanctuary for Jason. Although I never found out the reason, he was always there. I just assumed it was a haven, which later became mine.

So this could only be him who had sent the note. I hurriedly dusted my dress, brushing a hand through my hair to untangle it, before sneaking out.

It was fortunate that no guards came here during the night. It made it easier to leave without anyone noticing.

When I arrived at the lake, it was a ten-minute walk. I had practically run. I didn't meet with Jason.

Instead, I saw Maria. The last person I expected to see.

“Maria?”

“I am surprised you came.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I got closer.

“I guess I am not the person you expect to see. But I am here for the same reason that you are.” Maria murmured.

I wanted to ask her the reason she was here. But deep down, I knew it was because of Jason.

“Stay away from him, Ashley.”

“Funny, you had to trick me into coming here by using him. I refuse. Jason has always been mine and will forever be. You're the one who needs to stay away from him. Also, reveal your real identity and your mission in our life because I know you're not who you claim to be.”

Maria didn't say anything. Instead, she grinned, closing the distance between us. Her hand reached out to touch a strand of my hair, her finger curling around it.

“I've always thought you had nice hair, shame I won't be seeing it anymore.” The smile on her face twisted, and her eyes narrowed.

I held her gaze, refusing to back down. We could have shown down now, and she'd win due to her wolf. But my parents weren't here to put me down. Also, I wasn't one to go down without a fight. Despite her having an advantage over me, I'd still fight until I couldn't.

“I gave you your chance, Ashley. After tonight, you won't be able to win Jason back. No matter what you do.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned as I noticed that we were at the edge of the lake.

I didn't know how we had gotten there during our conversation. But I hate water because it carries memories I'd rather forget.

I turned to move away from it, but a cry and a splash caught my attention.

“Maria!” I shouted as she flailed wildly in the water.

“Help!” She screeched. “I can't swim!”

Was she joking?

Panic surged through me as I saw her head go inside the water and out again. She was going to drown.

I jumped into the lake without thinking. I wanted to believe it was out of panic and a lack of knowledge about what to do in this situation.

Perhaps the best option would be to run back to the pack house to call for help, but Maria could die.

I grabbed Maria by her waist, swimming back to the surface.

Just as soon as we reached, I saw my parents and even Jason rushing over to us.

How did they know? Did they hear the scream? Possibly. Maria had been very loud.

I shuddered violently, goosebumps spreading over my skin. One of the servants who had arrived with my parents handed Maria a towel. They had only come with one.

I wrapped my arms around myself to ward off the chill, but it was no use.

I gave a violent shudder once more.

“What did you do and why the fuck are you out of your confinement?” Jason questioned as he stormed towards me.

Maria gripped his hand, stopping him midway. She wrapped her arms around his waist and sobbed softly. “It's not her fault. I was the one who let her out. I only wanted to call it a truce with her.”

“B-but,” she spluttered, coughing slightly. 

“You never knew she'd repay your kindness with betrayal.” Jason snarled.

“What?” I gasped, looking at him with wide eyes, before turning to Maria. “First and foremost, that narrative is ridiculous and a lie, and secondly, I saved you. Tell them I did, Maria!”

“You're the one forcing her to lie to us, Ashley. You can't fucking swim to save yourself. Have you forgotten when you almost drowned in this very lake? I saved your silly ass!”

But I did today. I did to save the bitch who was now making me look like Satan.

“Apologize to Maria, right now, or the goddess help me, I shall force the words out of your mouth!” Jason asserted.

I saw Maria smile at me. Smugly. Triumphantly. They weren't watching. She had planned all of this to happen, and she was winning, as she had said.

But consequences be damned. I wouldn't be the doormat they thought I was anymore!

I gripped Maria’s arm, pulling her away from Jason, and I shoved her into the lake.

“What the hell?!” Maria shouted in the water.

I regarded her coolly, my voice cold as I said, “I did it on purpose, and now I have a reason to apologise to you. I'm sorry.”

A hand gripped me, forcing me to turn. Then—crack.

The sting spread fast across my cheek, my head snapping to the side from the force of it. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

Jason.

He was the one who hit me. The same hand that once brushed my hair away so gently was now used to strike me.

It was the first time he'd ever done this—and perhaps the last time I’d ever let myself be shocked by him.

“You’ve gone too far,” he hissed. “You think everyone’s out to get you? That Maria’s the enemy? You're just jealous, twisted by your own spite.”

I tasted blood in my mouth, the bitter proof of just how far things had fallen. I swallowed it down, like I'd swallowed down every pain since this nightmare began.

If he could hit me because of a liar, what more could he do to me because of her? Kill me? I wouldn't be surprised if that happened, but before it would, I needed to take action.

Something inside me cracked. Not loud, not sudden, but final.

I looked at him, really looked. Searching for any trace of the man I once thought fate had tied me to. There was none.

Only a stranger wearing his face.

“I once begged the Moon Goddess for you,” I said quietly, no tremor in my voice this time. “But now, I’ll beg her to take you back.”

Jason’s brow furrowed, confusion tightening his jaw.

“You rejected me once. Now it’s my turn.”

I stepped closer, heart hammering, every breath I took, heavy. "Jason Blackriver, Alpha of the Blackriver Pack..." My voice dropped to a whisper, my gaze drifting to the full moon.

"I, Ashley Lockwood, reject you and hereby accept your rejection!”