Her Second Chance Mate

AriezelThump. Thump. Thump.Each kick hurt, the pain blooming in my legs as he stepped on me. I was too weak to fight it, too tired to avoid it.“Stupid bitch.”“Whore.”“Useless.”I let his words float over me like clouds. Even through the void of nothingness that I saw, they remained potent.Finally the hits stopped and relief hit me. I hadn't shed a tear throughout. I had learned not to in the time that passed.“Look at you. So pathetic.”I heard the sound before I felt the warm wetness on my face. He had spit on me. Still my eyes remained closed. “You'd better make sure this place is clean before anyone comes. That's all you're good for anyways.”His words entered me, yet I stayed still even as his footsteps retreated.The moment the door which sounded so far away shut, I waited for a few more seconds before attempting to rise up.Each part of my body twinged with every shift. A particularly sharp pain spread across my shoulder. I used my equally bruised hand to check it, feelin

ARIEZELThe walk through the forest seemed endless, but after what seemed like an eternity, I finally stopped and turned back. There were only rounds and rounds of trees filled with darkness, even from above, I couldn’t see a hint of any of the pack buildings.This was it.Turning around, I ran as fast as I could, the adrenaline taking over me as I let the trees blur with the speed I ran. As I let my body lead me farther off, only one thought echoed in my mind.I was free.I was finally free from the months of abuse. I was free from the pain and aches and pretending. I was free from the indifferent yet pitying stares the Pack Doctor gave every single time he saw me. I was free from watching the man who used every chance to break me in both body and mind be so adored by the rest of the pack, ignorant of his actions. I was free from the insults, the curses which he ingrained into my mind.Finally, finally, I was free.Hours later after I exhausted myself from running, I rested on the ba

AsherSeeing that slight smile on her face brought a ton of aggravation on my end. I still couldn't believe it.This was my mate. My true mate.“Asher?”Serena's voice came again beside me, a different kind of reminder.I had a mate already.Serena had spilled the beans before I could speak, and now, this woman who was my True mate knew I was with someone that wasn't her.So why did she look relieved and happy?I had no idea why I was acting out this way. I had no intentions of mating with her, true bond or not. I already had Serena. Yet still, the twist of annoyance at looking at her face continued.I turned away, even passing Serena as I walked out of the prison. Serena followed me, calling out my name.“You.” I called out the first guard, seeing the initial fear in his eyes before he came closer to me.“Yes sir.?”“Release her and send her to one of the rooms in the pack house.” I orderedHe nodded sharply “Yes sir.”After signaling the other guard to follow him, the two guards pa

AsherThe almost sickly sweet floral scent wisped through my nose the moment I opened the door. It was a welcoming presence for everyone who stepped into this place, and a warning for others repelling them from stepping away. I entered the room with ease, shutting the door behind me.It may have been a warning for others, but not for me.The place was dark, very little light emanating from the windows. Despite that, the air remained fresh, probably even more refreshing compared to the forest.That was the wonder of this place. One would call it magic. In a way, and i suppose it was.Tiny tinkling sounds came, becoming louder and louder as footsteps emerged. I straightened to my full position, ready to meet her.A figure emerged from a smaller room and came towards me, her frame becoming more and more visible every closer she got.Fully decked in silver jewelry with a deep blue robe, the high priestess looked up with a smile.“Welcome, Alpha Blackwell. What, may I ask, brings you here

ASHER'S POVIt was her.I knew that something was wrong the moment she entered the room. Even without looking, I knew by instinct that it wasn't Ambrose, my personal helper and assistant. The moment I figured it out, my mind flashed back to the past when something similar happened. One of the girls in our pack had too high of hopes, and my nature and rumors did not stop her from trying to gain the power she wanted. It was in the night when she disguised herself as a servant and tried assaulting me. I had pushed her away . Since then I had only one person who I trusted to assist me.Despite the hostility another feeling came to me, one annoyingly satisfying that it was boggling to me. I stayed calm, pretending to be oblivious whilst ordering them. Ambrose would never have taken such an order, far too knowledgeable of my need for capability.But the person did, and it only incensed ne further. The shiver that followed slight brush if her hands as she put on the sleeves.Ariziel stood