Chapter 6

Ashina's POV

“Why did you cover up for me?” 

My head was spinning out of control. I could barely hear the soft male voice coming from behind the curtains.

Oh no. What would Warrick think of me now?

I ran my hand through my hair and rushed down from Warrick's bed, straightening my dress as well.

“That was poor acting, but thank you anyways.”

My eyes made for the curtains. “Who are you?” 

He was silent. I stepped towards him.

If he wasn't going to tell me, then I would find out by myself. After all, I just lied to Warrick so he wouldn't catch the man sneaking around his room.

“Stop. Don't come any closer.” 

I halted, like his words were commands to me and the thing gnarling in my head. 

My wolf?

“Why did you lie to save a stranger?”

I gritted my teeth, conflicted by my own actions.

Why did I even do that?

“I— don't know. I just felt your heart racing so fast and I thought you needed my help.”

“You felt what?” He asked.

“Your heart,” I whispered as realization dawned on me. 

I did feel his heart beat. Why? “This is confusing, I know—”

He sighed, “We're mates.” 

My heart throbbed as he said that. 

It was real and I felt every bit of it. He was telling the truth. We're mates, but how?

How many fucking mates do I have?

I ran my hand through my hair, taking a step back as I shook my head. 

“I asked her for a mate, not three. I didn't ask to be toyed with.” My chest was heaving as my words fell out.

“Leo didn't want me. Warrick, can't even stand me. And you?” My voice cracked as tears ran down my face. “You are hiding from me.”

“Hey, I'm not—”

“Am I hideous or something?” I asked, my fist curling up. “Why is it that no one wants me?”

“Listen, I don't know the chemistry you share with whoever Leo is or the jerk Warrick, but it has nothing to do with me. I came here for a different reason and if you don't mind, please leave the room so I can finish my work.”

My eyes burned at the edges as tears gathered in them.

“Yeah, send me away. I didn't expect any better from you .”

I spun and took to my heels out of the room. My vision blurred by tears ran down my cheeks. 

My feet hurt against the marble floor as I raced down the hallway. I reached my room, pushed it open and slammed the door shut right after.

“What have I done to deserve so much pain?” My back pressed against the door as I fisted my hair.

Another mate?

A third one? Who doesn't even want me.

What the heck is going on?

I gritted my teeth, threw my head back as I muffled a scream. Then I felt a force that threw me on the floor.

Stunned, unsure of what was about to happen, I pinched my eyes shut struggling to breathe through my tight chest.

That was the first time something within me moved me. 

I felt a sharp pain in my fingers and I looked up at once to see claws popping out of my fingers.

My eyes widened as it dawned on me.

Was I shifting for the very first time?

At twenty-five?

My bones crackled as I dropped on all fours, twitching. 

Something whimpered inside me, like a wounded animal. I shivered, feeling multiple emotions pulsing through me.

It was not mine.

The skin on my back ripped and my bones shifted form.

A force pulled me forward, climbing on the white-sheets bed, leaving red paws print behind. 

My head snapped towards the mirror. I didn't see myself. I saw a white wolf glaring right back at me with golden eyes.

I jumped back almost in shock, crashing against the lamp at the side of my bed and landing on the floor with a thud.

“Ouu.”

The sound of a howl outside the window made me look out and my eyes caught the full moon.

Energy suddenly spiraled around me, crackling as I made for the open window. Without thinking twice, I lunged through the window then I looked down to see I was high above the ground level.

Oh shit.

I whimpered as I landed on the ground with my back. Needles like pain rushed all over me, lasting only a few seconds.

We need to learn how to control this body.

I pulled myself up, then shook my fur, casting away the dirt on me.

Immediately the cold air washed over me. I almost laughed as I walked around, feeling the cold earth against my paw.

Everything I was feeling was strange. I heard everything down to the chirping of bugs. I could literally smell everything in the air. 

It was like I was opened up to a new wolf. I couldn't believe that I was that same girl called wolfless in the pack. I had a wolf now.

My wolf jumped around and then took to its heels, racing through the woods at the back of Warrick's Mansion.

They all called me weak, can the weak do this? 

“Hi, Ashina. My name is Esmeray.” I heard my wolf transfer her thoughts to me. “It stands for the Dark

moon, because I was born out of pain, rejection and shadows. Now I'm awakened, it's high time we show them who we truly are.”