Asher's POVWe sat mostly in silence, savoring the peaceful garden when she spoke up.“Why does your pack fear you so much?”Her question halted all my thoughts and u turned, fear crawling up my throat.“You don't have to answer, but…I just wanted to know. Everyone speaksThe fear left, and was replaced by something so bright. Wonder was too small a word.It was the fact that she cared well enough to listen, ignoring the rumors she had been fed to come to me, free of judgment. It was the fact that above all, she had somehow managed to reach into my desire without knowing. It was all that pushed me to speak.“My parents were killed by another pack.”I felt her breath hitch but continued.“It was the most devastating thing I had ever felt. Then I was only 20, feeling far too young to take on the burden of grief as well as handling my pack. I wanted to grieve, but the pack was also grieving, so I forced myself to be strong then. The only person by my side was… ” my breath hitched a the
AriezelI woke up to a cold room. Goosebumps trailed my frame as I laid against the bed. When did such a harsh wind come in the middle of the night?Leaving my eyes closed to savor sleep, my hands searched for any signs of a duvet. Its search was fruitless.Confusion yawned through in its absence. I was just laying under its warmth hours ago. Where had it gone?I open open, sitting up to look for the duvet, only to freeze.Absent of any blanket, the bed stretched for miles, like an awning road. It could have been scarier, if not for the room I was in.I was back in my former pack. Derek's pack.This was a dream, I was sure of it from the many times I had seen his face only to wake up with tears. They had dissipated to nothing beforehand. I fought myself trying to wake up yet no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get out of it.The familiar creak of the door was like ice pouring through my veins. I turned in alarm to see the familiar red glow of an Alpha's eyes filled with rage.“Isa
AsherFor the first time, I understood what I was missing.It was all scattered before, like pieces of a puzzle. The jealousy I felt, tha anger towards the people that hurt her, the need for her to be healthy.At first it was simple, placing the picture together. I chose the easy option, panning it towards my attempt at our wolves coming together.But it was more than that, had probably been from the beginning since I saw the relief in her eyes in that cell.She laughed heartily, and I swore it was the greatest music I heard. Her voice was like a n invisible pair of hands, piercing every feeling I had until it was complete.Somehow in the fast pace of life, I was falling in love with her. I had never felt this way before. Ever since my parents death I had closed myself to all forms of affection, focusing solely on my duties.The sensations were too big to deny, too rich to ignore and so, so wonderful.“Asher?”I was brought back into reality, staring at her bright blue eyes. Against t
Ariezel“Over here!” Harriet called out, pointing to a small stall.With Alys beside me, I moved towards Harriet.Harriet had quickly gotten acquainted with me. She had never spoken about my quiet nature. Instead she let herself fill the silence. I was content to keep silent and listen. Alys' friendship came much slower. It seemed that while not working with her she acted much more relaxed. When I was free they decided to bring it upon themselves to show me around, leading me to the marketplace. It didn't take long for Harriet to wander.“Alys, Ariezel, isn't this so nice?” Harriet stared in awe at the pieces of jewelry hanging on the stall, complimenting the pack member behind it.I looked to see Alys roll her eyes, dragging Harriet away from the stand. “Why don't you worry about finding dye first? Your roots are showing.” she saidAlys was right. I looked at the top of Harriet's hair, the pink fading into what was her real hair color, a strawberry blonde.Harriet shrugged “I'm th
Ariezel“Over here!” Harriet called out, pointing to a small stall.With Alys beside me, I moved towards Harriet.Harriet had quickly gotten acquainted with me. She had never spoken about my quiet nature. Instead she let herself fill the silence. I was content to keep silent and listen. Alys' friendship came much slower. It seemed that while not working with her she acted much more relaxed. When I was free they decided to bring it upon themselves to show me around, leading me to the marketplace. It didn't take long for Harriet to wander.“Alys, Ariezel, isn't this so nice?” Harriet stared in awe at the pieces of jewelry hanging on the stall, complimenting the pack member behind it.I looked to see Alys roll her eyes, dragging Harriet away from the stand. “Why don't you worry about finding dye first? Your roots are showing.” she saidAlys was right. I looked at the top of Harriet's hair, the pink fading into what was her real hair color, a strawberry blonde.Harriet shrugged “I'm th
AriezelIt was whilst working the next day that I was unceremoniously called into Asher's office.“You should go, Ariezel.” Ambrose said, eyes only trailing me for a second before going back to his desk. He didn't pay me any mind, oblivious to the way I straightened my posture.I was tense at the mention of Asher. The events of the day before hadn't left my mind. Especially how close we were.I could imagine it clearly anytime I closed my eyes. His plush lips. I had never been drawn towards lips before, but Asher seemed to be the exception. He was always the exception.But that wasn't what stunned me. No, it was the look in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat.His proximity was close, yet I had never seen his eyes so dark. The bright evergreen that sparkled when he smiled a little was gone, replaced with darkness, only the slight ring of green shown. The look he gave sent shivers up my spine, but not out of fear. It was…something else.Was he going to kiss me? Back then, the way h
AsherThey say time is truly a funny thing. Sometimes a week could seem like a year and in others, a month like only a few days all based on one's mindset.It was indisputable as those four days I spent with Ariezel felt like an eternity I could have basked in. An eternity I would crave more.I thought that I could only be content with her friendship before. But from the moment of our first kiss, I knew I would break if we were only just friends. If there was any doubt of my newly gained feelings for her, that was enough to burn them all away into nothing but ashes.Not to mention what came after. The times we spent together were the same, yet completely different. Where before freedom and small smiles filled out time in the garden, it was now filled with kisses and charged touches that felt all too wonderful yet not enough. I treasured every moment we had spent together.It was a moment I wanted to bask in for eternity.But all things had to come to an end, and with one end came new b
Ariezel“Oh Moon Goddess, Ari. You have no idea the stir you caused!” Harriet gushed. Despite the foreboding words she said, her expression seemed more positively excited.After the…events of that morning, I was met with plenty of stares. Alys own was what struck out the most. So after taking effort to leave the place calmly I rushed Alys to my room where I told her everything, including the truth of Asher being my mate.She said nothing, looking contemplative but not angry. All she said was that we were going to talk about it later, and that was enough for me.I walked silently beside her and Harriet, repressing the curling feeling around me.The news spread around the pack like wildfire, and I was sure everyone was privy to it now.For most of the day, I had managed to avoid people's stares, especially after the morning's events. Their gazes crawled up my skin.Now? It was evening and I had no choice but to subject myself to the stars. Luckily Alys and Harriet were beside me, block