ASHLEYI returned home safely. Nobody barely noticed my absence. I had successfully snuck back into the house without encountering anyone in the living room. Walking to bed, I lay on it, staring at the ceiling.Where was Kael? I mused. Where in the pack house could he have run to? It was a certainty that Kael wouldn't be anywhere around here for fear of being caught. If I were in his shoes, I'd run far away from here to a location no one would likely guess easily. I supposed that was what he did, because even the guards Jason had sent out, who had scented the area, couldn't pick it up. It was as if he had masked it and erased every trace of himself that would lead to him being found.“But I need you,” I whispered, turning on the bed. Now was the time I wished I knew more about Kael, aside from the fact that he was a skilled doctor in the pack house and a half-blood. I wished I knew the locations he often went to for relaxation, for herb gathering…I jolted out of bed, blinked once whi
ASHLEYI stumbled into the clinic a while later, walking straight to Kael’s office. I had spoken to Jason after Warrior Bob was taken to the infirmary. He told me Kael escaped from prison. Well, he didn't exactly tell me; I had to pry it out of him. I had recalled hearing that the prisoner had escaped before I went out, and the only prisoner that held much importance currently was Kael.Jason didn't tell me how he had escaped; he had only said that if he met with Kael again, he was going to kill him right away for what he did. My head still reeled as I thought of how he had managed to leave the heavily guarded prison. Perhaps some of the guards were watching the ceremony or had retired, believing nothing could happen. Still, it seemed almost impossible for Kael to be able to escape himself because silver chains had bound him, and there was no one he'd have been able to pull that off without the intervention of someone. Someone within the prison.I'd have thought it was Kelly, but she
ASHLEYBob made no move to leave. He continued to leer at me. I doubt anyone will be able to pull him out of the room successfully. Not only was he one of the best warriors in the pack house, he had the side advantage. He was bigger than anyone else currently in the room. Although my father and Jason would be able to pull him out of the room, that was if they wanted to and it would turn up ugly.I shivered, the cold air biting into my skin even as I had Jason's jacket around me. I noticed it was because my legs were exposed.“Do you want to get out of here?” Maria whispered, working on the rope that was still around my body.“Father, I need help here,” she called, groaning as he tugged the thick robe. It was impossible to loosen except there was a knife to use.“A hunting dagger is with your mother. Use it,” he nodded towards the mother who extended the dagger to Maria.“Thanks mother,” Maria said, taking it from her and began to cut. I returned my attention to Jason and Warrior Bob w
ASHLEYMy heart skipped a beat, and I looked in the direction of the door, blinking back the tears out of my eyes. Jason was here. He was here to save me! Did he hear my cries, or was the goddess finally giving me the chances I desired? A vein shot across his jawline, and it was weird that I could see every one of his facial expressions despite minimal light and no wolf.“J-Jason,” I breathed out, my voice still as hoarse as before. I struggled in the chair to catch his attention, and he eventually looked in my direction, stopping in his tracks.Jason stared at me blankly, his nostrils flared, and his hands were pumped into fists by his side. He quickly glanced away from me before I could call him and darted to Warrior Bob. Before I could ascertain what was happening, he struck him hard in the jaw.Thwack!I held my breath, my eyes went wide as another blow landed across that same jaw. Warrior Bob howled in pain. He clutched his jaw, stumbling backward. “What the hell?!” He hissed.“I
ASHLEYI wasn't dead. The goddess must be mocking me at this point.I woke up to a sharp sting in my hands. A groan escaped my parted lips as I tried to open my eyes. But they were heavy and felt as though they were glued together. I heard voices. Familiar voices.My parents, Jason's, Maria, the rogue doctor? I remembered what happened. I had collapsed in the great hall during my vows, and Jason had helped me. But why was I in the presence of these people? I should be in the infirmary, I believed, but I doubted this was the infirmary, and the noise that surrounded me was too great. I forced my eyes open, and they blinked in the darkness that enveloped me.The first thing my eyes came into contact with in the room was the bed on which Maria was lying. It was empty. I tried to sit up straight, but my head was slanted in an awkward position, and every move I made was harder than the last.I stared down as it felt like I was restrained, and I saw I was indeed restrained. I was bound to an
ASHLEYI stood by the entrance of the great hall, and my father was standing next to me. My father wore a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt, his smile fixed in place as he stared at me.“What took you so long? Were you trying to run away from your wedding?” He asked with narrowed eyes.He knew. Of course, anyone who saw me would know I was reluctant to be here. I'd rather sit indoors waiting for my blood to be entirely drained than come here. But I still had no choice. I had no say in the matter.“I see.” He whispered, nodding. Then his hand circles around my wrist, tightly. He pulled me into him and he snarled, “I don't know what nonsense you plan in that head of yours, be aware that not even your protesting can free you from this marriage. It's also sealed. Your fate is.”“I know that,” I responded, my voice was low even though I wanted to sound stronger. I shot him a pointed look, “I know my fate is sealed, Father. I know I will be forced, even if I disagree. But have yo