Chapter 5

Eli had succumbed to the illness and passed away the next day; just a few hours ago, just at the breaking of dawn.

Following the traditions of the rogue pack, she was buried immediately.

Women weren't allowed to attend the burial no matter what, unless it was the mother or sisters of the deceased. Aster's parents were no more and they had no other siblings, so the burial was facilitated by Water and a few other elders.

Zena sat on a stool in the living area, gazing out of window as her thoughts roamed. It was midnight and she was unable to sleep. How could she sleep when the cheerful voice that gladdened her heart would never be heard again?

She had loved Eli like she would love her own daughter and her passing had created an irreplaceable void in her heart.

Her face scrunched into a scowl as her mind drifted to Alpha Knox and his family. They were the reason why Eli was no longer with her. Why were they hellbent on taking away everyone who was dear to her?

She couldn't let it go without seeking revenge, impossible. Her fingers itched for blood—their bloods, anything at all that would make them feel the same magnitude of pain they had caused and had continued to cause her to feel.

It seemed like no matter what she did, they still had it in them to fight back. So she knew she had to find a way to clapback in a way that would silence them, permanently.

Just then, a knock on her door snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked away from the window and faced the direction of the door, "Who is it?" She asked, not bothering to mask the irritation in her voice.

"It's Aster." he declared and her brows furrowed as she wondered what he was doing here so late.

However, her confusion cleared away as well as a fair amount of her irritation. Aster was here, and his presence had a way of eliminating any inconvenience.

She managed a small smile as she got off the stool and made her way to the door.

The door swung open, revealing Aster with a very small sack in his hand. Her brows furrowed momentarily as she noticed the item but then looked away, returning her attention back to Aster with a smile.

"Welcome." she greeted, "What are you doing here so late?"  

"I brought you something," he smiled.

Her eyebrows lifted in mild surprise, but she didn't respond verbally. Instead, she simply watched as he carefully unraveled the sack.

His fingers revealed a delicate moonstone necklace. It's glimmer underneath the moonlight skywas ethereal.

Zena's eyes remained on the necklace for a moment—it reminded her of a crystal moonstone her mother had stumbled upon one day in the forest. Her mother had immediately gifted her the moonstone, and she attached it to a thread she wore around her neck.

However, the moonstone had slid off her neck and gotten misplaced that night.  Seeing Aster present something like it to her after so many years…it brought back tons of memories.

The type of bitter memories she didn't appreciate it's mixture with her already grieving memories. She didn't want to think about that night today, no. Not at all.

However, it was a pretty moonstone. She loved it. She loved Aster. He always knew how to try to get her into a good mood.

Aster looked up at her. "It's a moonstone," he explained in a gentle tone. "I thought... I saw it on my way back from the burial and I thought of you."

Her lips curved into a small, appreciative smile. It was a rare sight for anyone to witness her vulnerability, but in that moment, she allowed herself to feel gratitude for Aster's effort to console her.

"Thank you," she murmured.

His smile grew. "I'm glad you like it."

She nodded, her fingers reaching out to touch the moonstone pendant. "It's beautiful."

He cleared his throat, his gaze locking with hers. "Can I...?" He paused, seemingly uncertain for a moment. "Can I put it on you?"

She nodded and then she slowly turned around, her back facing him.

He stepped closer, his fingers gentle as he secured the necklace around her neck. His touch was tender, and she couldn't help but feel a flicker of comfort as his fingers grazed against her skin.

The cool surface of the moonstone rested against her skin. As he finished fastening the clasp, he stepped back slighty and she turned around to face him.

His eyes rested on the necoqxe, tracing it's delicate chain before meeting hers again. "There. It suits you."

Her lips curved into a more genuine smile this time, the first since Eli's passing. "Thank you, Aster," she said,.

He smiled in return. "You're welcome, Zena."

Though her grief still lingered, for a brief moment, the weight on her heart felt a little lighter.

"A midnight stroll, perhaps?" Aster's voice broke through her thoughts.

Her lips twitched into a faint smile. "A stroll in the dead of night? Aren't you worried?" she reasoned, "You know we're under Knox's target, he may stroke at any time—especoally during the quiet time of the night."

.

He chuckled "I promise to protect you, and every other person should Knox strike. Which I doubt he will."

She considered his offer for a moment. She had wanted to spend the night alone, but maybe a little bit of company would ease her hurt. Plus, the prospects of a midnight stroll with Aster sounded very appealing.

Maybe this would be the avenue for her to talk about their marriagr. It was about time, they were both twenti years old and mature enough to start a family together. So why the wait?

Of course, it wpurk come after they were done finding a solution towards the plague Knox had bestowed upon their pack.

Zena nodded, her smile growing a bit,"Alright, a midnight stroll it is."

Aster smiled, extended his arm out, "Shall we, then?"

She stepped forward, taking his hand in hers. "We shall." She replied and used her other hand to shut the door behind her.

They set out into the night and Aster walked beside her.  "You know," he began, his tone light, "we never really got the chance to talk about our... marriage."

Zena's eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. How had he been able to read her thoughts? That were exactly what she wanted to talk to him about. She hadn't expected him to broach the topic, not tonight of all nights.

"Marriage?" she echoed, her tone neutral.

He glanced at her, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yes. I mean, we're mates, and eventually we'll have to address the formalities."

The word "mates" hung between them. Zena loved it so much and she loved hearing Aster refer to them as mates. She would usually muse in elation over the fact that she and Aster were mates.

He was what you could describe as a dream man—wrll, he was her dream man at least. He had tousled brown hair that fell in waves and framed his chisrd face. What drew attention to him the most were the sinister glints in his emerald eyes.

She loved his…what you would call ruggedity. It matched her vibes, it was exactly what she wanted. And dare she emphasize again, he knew exactly how to make her happy, what to do to cheer her up and he understood her.

Oh, how she would want to go on and on  about the thousand and one reasons why she loved Aster. And she couldn't wait for them to be together, bound by marriage.

She would finally be able to call him her husband.

Zena nodded, her gaze returning to the path ahead. "Right."

Aster's shoulders relaxed, sensing her uncertainty. "I know things have been... complicated, especially within the pack," he admitted. "But I want you to know that I'll do whatever it takes to ensure the matter is resolved as soon as possible."

She glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that why you're taking me on this stroll? To discuss pack matters?" she teased.

Aster chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, not entirely. I wanted to talk about us, as well." he answered. "We will facilitate our marriage after we are able to to counter the plague."

She smiled in response, not saying a word after that. There was no need for that, he had already said all marriage plans where to be discussed after they found a cure for the plague.

The next course of action was gp ask him what his plans were, but maybe she would do that tomorrow. Tonight, it was just her and Aster having a midnight stroll together. So, she wanted to enjoy and savour the moment.

They continued to go deeper into the forest and she was starting to get a bit confused. Wasn't it just a stroll? Why were they going deep into the forest?

Her steps slowed, and a frown creased her forehead. "Aster, we've been walking for a while now. Where exactly are we going?"

His gaze remained forward, his expression unreadable in the darkness. "Don't worry, Zena. We're already here."

Confusion knit her brows together again. "We're already where?"

He took a step closer to her, his gaze fixed on her. "I brought you here for a reason."

The look in his eyes seemed different, they were unlike how they usually were. Despite how sinister his gaze was, it always seemed to soften when he was with her. But right now, that favour was no longer there—his gaze was darkened towards her, the exception seemed to mo longer be there.

This made her self-conscious and even doubled her confuso. Her heart was quickening in panic and growing fear.  She took a cautious step backwards and stared at him.

"A reason? Aster, what's going on? Why did you bring me here?" She asked, her voice becoming wary.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, "Alpha Knox, she is here." he announced and

"What? Aster, what are you talking about?" she questioned in panic as she she swung around, her gaze darting about as she searched for him…the bearer of that name.

He let out a wicked chuckle that sent chills down Zena's spine. "Oh naive, Zena." he shook his head in mock pity, "Knox demanded that I bring the person who had killed his wife. That was his only condition to lifting the curse." He smirked. "And I had no choice Zena…"

"W–what…?"