AriezelI gasped as I let myself slump to the ground.My attempts to take in deep breaths were betrayed by the ache in my lungs and the will for more air, keeping my breathing fast.The exhaustion leaked through my bones, seeping into every part of me. My legs ached dully from all the steps I had taken. My head hurt from all the strains and my arms hurt from everything I had to do with them. Yet nothing felt any heavier than my eyelids.I looked up into the darkness, only illuminated by a dim candlelight and wished for nothing but the darkness. My body seemed to grow heavier.Maybe I could take a short rest. Just for a while…‘No.’In an instant I opened my eyes, all heavy feeling slipping away. Despite the strain on my body I slowly sat up, raising my body slowly. I winced as my tender feet pressed against the cold ground, but it didn't matter.I was still standing.Slowly I took the washcloth I had left before, and continued on with my work. The task that Serena had given me.After
AriezelI laid silently on the bed, heartbroken and angry.Asher did the worst thing to me at that moment. He had pierced my soul completely.Even after I woke up to the blue sky, it felt like nothing could heal what I had just faced.A knock came to the door, leading me to blink in surprise. Who was knocking? And more importantly, why?I was used to the door opening unceremoniously. Serena or one of her lackeys would wake me up to assign me my next work. That was why the knock was suspicious.The next second allayed all my thoughts.“Ari? Are you awake?” it was Harriet's voice.It felt like a new life had spilled into me. I stood up despite the ache that resounded.On the other side was Harriet and Alys.“Oh Goddess" Harriet gasped, looking at me. She moved to hug me only to stop in her tracks, hesitating as she looked into my eyes questioningly.I knew that it would hurt but I nodded. Even though I groaned in response to the bone- crushing hug she gave, I didn't regret it.She pull
AriezelMy eyes cracked open against the darkness, shivering against the cold I was exposed to.The room, though small, had such a cold temperature that it was difficult to bear at night. Serena had taken away all sources of warmth leaving me to improvise.I had found a way to make do with a thin fabric to keep me warm at night. Whilst it wasn't enough to keep away the naturally cold breeze, the little warmth it offered was better than nothing.Now, I realized lethargically the cloth was gone.Shutting my eyes, I tried searching for it with my body, yet there was no feeling of fabric, as though it had completely disappeared.I knew something was wrong.I opened my eyes again, adjusting to the darkness of my room.They were figures in my room. The figures I initially believed were two grew into more.I looked around. What in the goddess's name was going on?Before I could speak, a large hand gripped one of my ankles as I looked down. I was suddenly dragged across the bed until I read
AsherI shouldn't have been there.I didn't want to be there.Ever since that day weeks ago my wolf was a constant tormenting force, constantly telling me of the mistake I had made.Soon enough, it became a constant itch, the rolling of my belly behind every touch which soon became a constant feeling of nausea that never stopped, the reminder of the constant memories and rush if instincts, all leaning towards one thing.Her.‘Go to mate’‘Beg for forgiveness’‘mate is hurt’‘Mistake…’‘Mistake…’‘Mistake…’In the end, there was only so much I could take. I did the only thing I thought to.I felt the confusion through Ambrose about how I had shut myself in, bringing most of my clothes to the office until I was practically living there.I had managed it for so long, even managing to lie to Serena about the reason for my absence. It was only once I mustered enough courage to leave my voluntary confinement only to find her.I ignored every alarm bell that rang in my mind, every call my bo
Chapter 60: Asher I took a step forward . She was asking for the truth? I would give it to her.I noticed her shuffle at my change and energy. I had expected it, and yet the troublesome instincts still reared through, disrupting me. I tamped it down, quickly, suppressing it before I spoke.“My parents died in the winter.” I said.She stopped short and I saw the confusion arse on her face. She would understand, once I continued“It was a cold morning, the day that they played with me. My father had a snowball fight with me whilst my mother brought in food before teaching me how to build with the snow.The memory stood bittersweet at the forefront of my mind. I remembered how cold the snow fell on my hands, and how much warmer the hot cocoa they had prepared for me felt in contrast. I remember how they played heartily with me then to celebrate in time for the Fete, only to be called out by that damned beta. I remembered how I greeted them goodbye that day, being kept company by the
AriezelI stood dumbfounded, shocked. Far too stunned to say a word.I had demanded for the truth in an attempt to ease my heart, to fully understand his reasons and perhaps, use it to let go.But the reality of the truth was too much to bear.thump thump thumpIt felt as though my heart was beating right out of my chest, crushing my entire being.My father had done plenty of things,but this was the cruelest thing I had ever heard.And the Alpha? Alpha Hendricks was also a part of this.. ploy that ended up killing people.The people in question are the parents of my mate.I gasped for air that seemed too far out of my reach. How could I say anything about that? I couldn't deny it. It was far too much of a coincidence to be untrue, especially with how I remembered my father.Asher's…parents…Asher turned away from me, and this time I knew it was with a certainty akin to a guillotine. It felt like this was truly going to be the last time I was ever going to see him in this light ever ag
AsherSomething didn't add up.I felt it a long time ago, yet I ignored it. However even in the slightest of moments, every single time it always came back to me.It was akin to thunderstorms in the summer, rain in the winter. A bright, sunny day on the edge of the night.In total, it felt completely wrong.I had thought that the moment would pass away with time. Hoped that the moment was sorely due to my traitorous instincts. But it didn't.Months had passed and the wedding was soon on its way to preparation. I had since grown used to showing Serena affection, better at ignoring the disgusting nausea that occurred whenever I did. With my constant words I had accepted and swayed her into believing that the time for breaking my mate bond was on its way. Everytime I said that, I ignored the churn of a lie in my belly, as no matter how many times I had seen the Pack Priestess, she always sent me back with a mysterious smile and words that continuously postponed her search.Only recently,
: AsherIt was just a hunch at first, one that made me question everything I knew.FlashbackI held in my breath once before I began my questioning.“Do you remember the people who connived with the Beta back then?”There came a pause, one which spoke enough.“The Beta's daughter. Do you have any information about her?”Wasn't that all I needed to know? To sate my curiosity.His silence unlike before was off-putting. I waited before he answered.“I hadn't found any information about any daughter. He had none.”Chills ran through me. I held the phone tighter.“What about any family lines?” I asked.He sighed through the other side of the lines “Asher. From all I traced, everything the priestess helped me trace, there was and has been no daughter in the family.”My breath hitched.What did this mean?The moment he accepted my favor, I gave him my orders.“Please retrieve whatever records needed, find out all the information and data you need about The former Beta of the Solstice pack a