Ashley's POV"We don't have much time left David," I stated, growing impatient and tired of just about everything. He turned to me sharply, obviously irritated by what I said. "And that's that supposed to mean? We're all in this together Ashley." "I know we are, but it's getting just impossible. Just take a look behind us..." "Those beasts dare not be merciful Beta," Arin chipped in an interruption. "Do we turn and fight or forge forward into the cottage?" "We'd ve dead either ways," Leo revealed, looking up to the vibrant moon as it casted it's light on us. "But the moon light isn't a full one. What's with the transformations?" "Quiet!!" David roared, turning around and facing us fully. "I'll need just enough time to think things through!!""Take all the time you need Beta David, " Arin started to say. "Yeah Beta, all the time you need," Leo completed. "One more word from you both, you'll be killed and sent to the wolves before they move on more inch, " I warned, shooting a fi
Ashley's POVThe deeper we ventured into the pack, the less certain it became that we would get to the Seer. Silence, enveloping us all like a shroud, made it easy to note a dark bird or rustling leaves beneath our feet. "Who has an idea where we're heading to please?" Arin who walked behind me asked. "The path to hell did we take," Leo replied, Arin scoffing and patting his shoulder. But each step for us seemed heavier than the one earlier, more like the ground itself was reluctant and unwilling to let us pass. "No signs, paths, nothing!!" Arin complained. " We're being tested perhaps," Leo added. " But we've long failed!!"We all chuckled as he said this. It seemed to arouse our sense of humor and made us feel free and loosened. We gradually moved deeper and deeper into the ancient pack, the cold sensation that followed quiet terrifying. I shivered, clutching my cloak tighter around me. The chill I felt at that point wasn't only from the cold. It was the feeling of being swallo
Ashley's POVDavid’s claws extended again, his whole body tensing like a pulled bowstring. "She's our healer. She's not going anywhere."The others snarled lowly, a chorus of rusted growls vibrating the ground. But still, they did not attack. Not yet. The leader leaned closer, his scarred nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air around David and then me."You wish entry," he said finally, "then leave her here.""What?" Arin said immediately, a sharp edge in his voice. "That’s not happening."The leader’s pale eyes moved to him, slow and deliberate. "The girl stays. You go."David stepped forward again, chest heaving, his hands now clenched into fists. "We're not leaving her anywhere. You want to guard your sacred halls? Fine. But this isn’t a negotiation where we sacrifice one of our own for passage.""Then you won't pass, it's fair," one of them replied, smiling and revealing a set of dark teeth in the moonlight. I took a step towards David, tugging his shirt. "We have no time you kno
Ashley's POV I didn’t reply. I just nodded faintly, then turned to look at the fallen statue head again. The air felt heavier now, like it had thickened with memories and curses.Arin had jumped down from the chariot, inspecting the ground where the head had fallen. “It didn’t just crack off,” he said, running his fingers along the rough, fresh break. “It was as if something... struck it.”“Like what?” Leo asked, his voice unusually tense.Arin shook his head. “Not sure. But something wants us to feel unwelcome.”“Mission accomplished,” I muttered, barely above a breath.Then we heard footsteps. Not by one, but many werewolves."Whats to happen next?" Arin asked, shooting out his claws."Take it easy Arin," David replied. "We're in strange territory and you know that." Suddenly, five creatures were sighted walking towards the large gates from inside."What the..." I began to mutter."Shhhh, keep your voice low," David warned with a hushing sound. We watched as they walked towards th
Ashley's POVThe journey before us stretched on, winding through dense woodlands and tangled undergrowth."Farther than I anticipated," I mumbled, looking out through the window and noting how the sun dipped lower with every passing mile. "From the map we have here..." David began to say but was cut short."You'd have just used the gps tracker David," I said, chuckling and stealing a glance at him.He turned to me, a sly smile forming on his face. "An ancient pack demands ancient methods Ashley." I chuckled dryly, turning back to the window. Time became blur as we travelled in silence, save for the occasional snap of a branch beneath the horses or the distant sound of a wild beast. "We'd be there in no time Ashley," David chipped in. "And be back before our pack is wiped out." I gave no reply, not even giving a flinch. The forest grew darker and thicker and almost alive with secrets. Even the horses seemed uneasy, their occasional stumbling a testament to this. We crossed shallow
Ashley's POV I walked away from Jayden, tears falling freely from my face already. It happened that my love for him seemed to have increased after I saw him lay with Ella few hours ago, and now again. I was determined more than ever to free him from her grasp. The pack entirely. "You're sure you're willing to do this?" David asked as soon as he got to me. He was ready, two warriors by his side. Seeing the tears in my eyes, he walked towards me and wrapped my head gently with his hands. "I'm so sorry about this Ashley," he said, stealing a glance at the warriors. " Ella has us all trapped."Ashley leaned away from me and looked into my eyes. "Seer Raven. She'd surely have a cure for this. "David nodded slowly. "But time is against us Ashley. Two days left!""The mysticshadow pack isn't known for hospitality, " I replied, wiping my face with my hands as we turned to the exit of the hallway. "Would they help us?" David asked, nodding to the greetings of guards who stood post at var