UNKNOWN POVShe was delusional, Maria mused, staring at the spot where Ashley had been just a few minutes ago. She swore by the goddess that Ashley had no common sense in her. At least, if she had it, she'd realize there was no way in hell that she was going to do what she had just said. She'd be aware from the start that she was lying and was only teasing to see her reaction.But she had been hopeful. Maria snickered. She wanted to save Kael. That bastard! She mused, staring at her stomach with a frown on her face. The injury was healing. However, she'd still need more of Ashley's blood to be healed. She pulled the bandage around the wound, wrinkling her nose at the foul smell that wafted from it.She stared at the blackened area surrounding the deep gash. If it weren't for that fool spying on her, she wouldn't have resorted to this extreme measure. She was almost reaching her goal, and he had disrupted it. Maybe it was for the best. That meant she had one more person to take her sin
ASHLEYAs soon as I was done speaking, Maria tipped her head back and burst into a peal of laughter, startling me. I had expected her to ignore me, to shout, or even say no. But what I wasn't expecting was for her to laugh. I didn't think I had said anything funny to warrant that.My situation may seem amusing to her. It was possible that I'd react in the same way if I were in her shoes.“Did I say something funny?” I asked as she continued to laugh.“No. It-it’s just that–” Maria leaned forward, gasping slightly as she tried to control the laugh. She covered her hand over my mouth.I furrowed my brows in confusion. At a point, I got scared as she began to wheeze, but eventually the laughter died, and I heaved a breath.“It's just that what?” I asked her, my voice lowered. I heard the sound of doors opening and closing. My parents were probably coming back in. I didn't want them to overhear the conversation between Maria and me. They'd try to butt in.Since my father was also a part o
ASHLEY“Isn't that great?” My mother gripped my hand, squeezing it. She offered me a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.“He's one of the strongest in the pack house, and he's going to protect you.” Her voice dripped with a sweetness that I found irritating. But that was what brought me to reality. The horrible reality that I was in.“Our Ashley is going to be a warrior's wife, and I am so thrilled–”“Protect me? Even when I told you he's a perverted man who had almost taken advantage of me?!” I screamed in her face. I tried to keep my anger from rushing to the surface, but my parents always knew how to push me. They didn't need to try too much.I wondered who I offended exactly. Why were they all doing this to me? My feelings were irrelevant to them. How did they suddenly turn to this cruel person when a few months ago, they were the best thing that had ever happened to me? I had once thought they were the best parents and would do anything just to see me happy. I guessed I was w
ASHLEY “I'm surprised you finally decided to step out. I thought you wouldn't agree to leave his side, considering how dramatic you were back there.” Jason pushed away from the tree he leaned on as soon as I stepped outside the dungeon.I briefly glanced at him, making my way towards home. I said nothing. I didn't want to engage with him after what he had done. Besides, it wasn't as if he would help me or anything if I decided to answer him.“What? Now you're ignoring me?” He snickered, falling into step. “Shouldn't you be thanking me right now for bringing you out of there? Your father was ready to have your head alongside that traitor halfblood.”I stopped walking and turned to him slowly. Jason stopped as well, smirking as he gazed down at me.“Kael didn't do anything wrong, and I know no matter how many times I try to convince you, it's not as if it's going to bring him out of the predicament he's in. Besides, I never asked you to help me. Did I?”Jason's lips curved upward. The
ASHLEY“You're free to leave.” The guard who opened my cell door said, and began to walk away.“Wait, what about Kael?” I asked as soon as I stepped out of the cell. I looked in his direction, and he raised his head to stare at me. I frowned, looking at the guard who had opened the door for me.He snorted, “Shouldn't you be happy that one of you is leaving? If I were you, I'd go thank my benefactor because the beta was more than ready to let you rot here in the cell.” He said.I dragged in a breath. I wasn't surprised that my father would do that. Many things no longer surprised me, and it was infuriating.“It's fine, Ashley. You should go. I'll be fine.” Kael said. I shook my head and started to approach him, but a grip on my hand stopped me from doing so.“You're not to take another step, ma'am. If you do, you're disobeying the alpha's order on no one being allowed to reach the prisoner.” He let out.I didn't hear the alpha give that order. Maybe it was after Kael and I were dragged
ASHLEYI stood, gripping the bar of the cage that I was locked in. I shook it several times, although I knew it wouldn't give way; it was probably out of habit. It wasn't the first time I'd been locked up, and I didn't think this would be the last either.I looked at where Kael was. I was lucky they at least placed us in the same place, although we were separated. Kael was bound with singer chains and allowed to stay in the open, while I was locked up. I couldn't understand the reasoning behind what they did because we could still discuss with each other if we wanted to.But since we had been here a few minutes ago, Kael said nothing to me. Instead, his head was bowed, and the room was silent.“Are you mad at me?” I asked him.Kael said nothing. I couldn't tell if he heard what I said to him or if he was pretending not to hear so he wouldn't have to deal with me.“Fine, you're mad. But I can't just stand by and watch you get punished for nothing. You saw the lousy witness they brought