LOGINASHLEY’S POV “Sorry, I’m late,” Xavier walked in, taking a seat amongst the council men. It was quite a disturbing sight, because for the longest time, he had his place in front with myself and my father. Even at that time, there was an empty seat right beside me, which he normally occupied. Also, if he was just going to join the crowd, why did he need to make an announcement?“It’s okay. We are only just beginning,” the eldest councilman said. I expected that he was going to ask Xavier to move over and take his seat, but to my surprise, he said nothing. “Princess Ashley,” he turned right back to me. I could not prove it, but I could swear I was under attack. “The mating ceremony is in a few days and a couple of situations have shown upon our hands, forcing us to have this meeting,” his eyes were fixed on me. The intensity of the gaze will have anyone thinking he was trying to bore through my skin and into my soul. “Firstly, the attack,” I took a deep breath. This was indeed a mat
ASHLEY’S POV I stared at Vance for a while. I wanted to speak with him, but I wasn’t sure what to say. Based on the look on his face and the hesitation in his body language, I’d say he found himself in the same exact position. “Vance,” Christiana, the lady he had brought with him called with a loud voice from the end of the hallway, walking pretty majestically towards us. Her steps were too perfect, as perfect as her straight, long legs. I couldn’t bear to watch her and Vance, so I returned into my room, softly closing the door behind me. I leaned on the door, hoping to hear them speak, but the door was too thick and their voices were too low. Something about Christiana’s presence threatened me, even though she hadn’t said or done anything to give that away. Fifteen minutes later, a knock came on my door. I rolled my eyes. Even after all these weeks, I hadn’t made peace with the fact that I could not get a single hour to myself. ‘What if it’s Vance?’ I lit up at the possibility t
ASHLEY’S POV “Alpha Smichtt,”“Vance Louis,” my father responded in a very stern tone to Vance. He made a quick gesture with his hand, one that would have gone unnoticed, if I wasn’t looking closely at him, terrified that he would take a swing at his face. In response to his gesture, two guards walked to me and took me away from Vance. “What brings you here?” my father questioned. This was going to be anyone’s reaction. It would have been mine too, if my wolf didn’t completely lose it while he was miles away. He was the fragrance that triggered her—that made her alive. “I seem to remember that there’s a competition going on and for the duration of it, I cannot be considered a guest or stranger to Crystal pack,” Vance responded confidently. It was evident from my father’s face that he hated his guts, but Vance was not saying anything that was false. Up until the next week when my decision was finalized, he was still considered in a competition, provided he never openly declared tha
ASHLEY’S POV“How could you? You should know better. I expect much more from you, Ashley!” my father was extremely furious, he paced about his room. I couldn’t say I was embarrassed, even though I wished he didn’t walk in on Xavier and I in such a terrible position. “Do you not know you cannot have anything to do with him until after the mating ceremony?” my father probed. “Answer me!” he ordered. It was the first time he was demanding response from me, after yelling for about fifteen minutes. “The rule book only said in the instance of a competition, until I have made my choice and the ceremony had taken place, I am disallowed from having anything to do with either men,” I responded, “In this case, there is no either men. Xavier is my mate,” I defended. My response was only neck deep. It was the first time I addressed Xavier as a mate and everything I said felt false. I felt dirty for lying. Overtime, I had learnt to see Xavier as a lot of things. Sometimes he was a brother, other
ASHLEY’S POV I didn’t get the chance to scream, because I was lying with my back on the ground and Xavier lying over me. Our faces were very close to each other. We were caught in the moment, but only for a short while. An arrow landed just above my head, with the sharp end stuck to the ground. “You saved me,” I whispered to Xavier. I was too terrified to speak any louder. I never imagined that the same crystal pack I was raised in would become a war ground overnight. My father used to always say it was unsafe outside the pack house, but now It turned out, it was unsafe inside too. “We should get back into the castle, there is no telling what’s out here,” Xavier said, getting off from me and helping me up too. “I agree,” my response was quick,“You two go ahead. I’ll be getting no rest until I figure out what’s going on here,” my father said, walking farther away from us towards the gate. “Father, I highly doubt that you’ll find any solutions or explanations out here,” I argued,
ASHLEY’S POV“The ceremony is starting now,” the maid announced.“Three weeks,” I took a deep breath, “It’s been three weeks,” I sighed, “what makes him think it’s okay to disappear for three weeks.”The maid stood quietly. I knew she had been caught in an awkward conversation. I myself hated that we were caught there, but I needed to let out all my frustrations. I had a million thoughts and the fact that I had no outlet was eating me up.“Princess,” she called softly. Her voice was filled with compassion,“He did not have the decency to explain his reasons, or at least say goodbye.” My heart was breaking into shards as I spoke. The maid walked up to me, held my hand in hers and squeezed it very tightly. She said nothing. There was nothing to be said. I was dressed in a black quince dress and my crown was shining on the mirror from the top of my head. My steps through the hallway was dragging—not from the weight of my dress, but the heaviness in my heart. “Princess Ashley Smichtt of







