Jayden's POVIt took a steady dragging of my feet to step away from Ashley, for I never wanted to leave. It was more like an unseen chain tethered me to her presence, my body screaming to remain where she stood, to hold her and forget all the battles and raging. No, I knew better. I couldn't afford such weakness. Liam wouldn't spare a moment in taking full advantage of it. And Ella? It'll just be a dream come through for her. I had to fight, and I had to win. Getting to the narrow passageway, I paused, brushing my hands against the cold stone. Then I turned around one more time to see my heartthrob. And there she was, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Seeing this wrenched my heart raw, forcing my lips to part. She knew that letting Ella believe that I was still under her spells meant that I'll have to make love to her. This hurt her, and I knew. But the very moment our eyes locked, she blinked hard and wiped her tears with trembling hands. Then she turned sharply on her heel,
Jayden's POVAshley's words struck me harder than any claws ever had. 'What have you done, Jayden?' she has asked. I blinked at her, stunned, confusion rattling through my entire being like a storm. "What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice breaking way louder than I intended. "I couldn't let her have her way with my consciousness, no!" Now this was louder, and I shot a glance at David, hoping that perhaps I'd get a form of support from him. But his eyes only turned away and his jaw tightened. So David knew–he understood Ashley's perspective, but I clearly didn't. I was still grasping in darkness. Ashley turned around and covered the distance between us, her eyes sharper and glistening. Then her breath came hard and her lips trembled. But her gaze locked onto mine with such a force that pinned me in place. "Why, Jayden?" she asked, her voice so steady it cut. "Because I love you. Damn it, Ashley!" I roared, the words tearing out of me before I could stop them. My voice wer
Ashley's POVThe laughter evaporated, leaving the air heavy and taut. I turned to Jace, watching as his small shoulders haunched, more like he had already regretted speaking. His lips pressed into a thin line and his eyes lowered. Guilt had clouded his young face, and my heart clenched at the sight. "Jace," Jayden called after clearing his throat and feigning a smile on his face. He reached out his hand and playfully rubbed Jace's full head of hair. "Don't worry about that son," he said softly. "As a matter of fact, your momma and I have a little... chat." I shot a glance at him just as his own eyes slid to me, sharp and deliberate. "Ashley," he called in a steady voice. "Come with me." My lips parted slightly, but he also added. "You too David." My thoughts instantly collided. What was the purpose of the privacy he asked for? I turned back to the children, forcing a smile onto my lips. "We'll be back soon, alright?" This didn't seem to satisfy them, as Rhea tugged at my gown a
Ashley's POVThe footsteps only grew clearer, yet no scent reached me. My brows knit in alarm and I drew in a long breath–still nothing. I shot a glance at David's corner, but he was already in motion. My heart lurched. Moving silent and steady, he reached the entrance that led to the small passageway before the door. "Jace," I whispered sharply, watching as he turned to me clearly panicked, "come here." He did as instructed, his small feet pattering almost silently against the cold stone. As soon as he got to me, I pulled him close, pressing Rhea and Niko in with my other arm. I inhaled deep, my chest rising as I tried to steady myself. If it wasn't David, then this was another moment that could end us all.I could hear David's claws tearing free from the passageway–a faint metallic rasp that echoed across the walls. This sound sent a chill through, one that wasn't fear. No. It only reminded me of the battle we had fought back in the human world. Back in New York. The both of us
Ashley's POVI sat still on a seat carved from stone, it's coldness pressing firmly against my back more like it wanted to still away the little warmth that kept me alive. The secret room was dimly lit, the only light being the faint flicker of bulb that hung on the moss lined wall. It wasn't steady, and every flicker came with shadows of darkness that provided a sort of mystery to the room. A room that no regular member of the packhouse was aware of.Beside me sat Niko, his small fingers brushing against mine more like he was trying to reassure me, or perhaps himself. Across the room stood Rhea and Jace, and they whispered in hushed tones. But gradually, their whispers turned into a childish banter. "Stop saying that you're older than me!" Rhea huffed, taking a step closer to her brother. "Well I am! I'm taller than you, and I climb faster too!" Jace replied, simultaneously measuring her height and mocking her. This obviously angered Rhea, as she huffed, shoving her tiny palm int
Ella's POV"Liam has the support of every single one already," I continued, my voice dipping low in a deliberate attempt to bait him. Jayden didn't flinch as must as I wanted, so I sharpened the blade. "In fact," I continued, tilting my head and letting my lips curl in mock pity, "the High Elder vowed to use everything under his power to make Liam the next Alpha, toppling your Dynasty." That was the filthiest lie I could think of–the very kind my father would applaud, and for the first time, I noted a waver in Jayden's gaze. But it wasn't of anger or building outrage. It was more like one that told me that he'd heard me...and was deciding whether or not to let me see his reaction. Then he looked away entirely, and without a word, he strode to the side of my bed and sat down, his elbow resting loosely on his knees. My words only seemed to have been nothing but a passing wind. This sort of calmness he displayed made my skin itch, and I hissed under my breath and slammed my fist on