Chapter 6 The Pyre

Aria’s pov

I was taken directly to the Alpha's house. Expecting to see his father in the Alpha's office I was greeted instead by Ronan, sitting at the desk.

Leave her,” he growled at the guards.

They scurried out of the room quickly leaving me cuffed before Ronan.

“My father passed away during the evening and I have become Alpha. Unfortunately, I'm plagued with the mate spell you have put onto me and need it GONE at once,” he growled.

At a loss, I shook my head.

“I have no knowledge of magic and haven't placed any spell upon you,” I asserted firmly, only for him to stand aggressively and grasp my lower jaw.

Squeezing it Ronan glared into my unyielding eyes.

I was startled when he pressed his lips against mine aggressively. My back was against the closed office door as he moved down my neck and slid his two fingers between my stiff legs.

Lifting my knee swiftly I crushed his balls and physically felt his rage consume his once lust.

“Why am I so full of lust for you pathetic omega virgin bitch,” he spat then shoved me to the ground as he panted angrily. I grinned slightly at seeing him cupping himself knowing I had hit my mark.

“I sentence you to death by fire, that should cleanse me of this fucking spell you have placed over me,” he roared.

I swallowed uncomfortably but didn't flinch and only watched him warily.

“If I could curse you I would do it now for your coldness and ignorance,” I muttered sourly and jerked when he kicked me in my side.

Next, he pinned me to the floor and tried to assault me physically but luckily for me, Chloe pounded on the office door interrupting his attempt.

Shaking in disgust, I turned away from the door as Ronan zipped up his jeans.

“What the fuck Ronan!” She shouted but then raised her hand at me.

“You fucking bitch, you think you can seduce my man,” she growled then clawed at me while I attempted to shield my face from her rabid attack.

“Guards! Tie her up to the wooden post and surround her with firewood. She will burn into the night and her screams will linger far beyond the cursed lands. Let it be a warning to those who attempt to betray my pack and me,” Roman asserted while thumping his chest for potency.

Getting lifted off the ground by my cuffed arms I was carried away back outside then brought to the post I had been chained to prior.

Looking up I saw Nathan giving me a disappointed frown.

“Thanks for tempting me with my mother's things,” I muttered sourly and he furrowed his brow.

“Where is her knife?”

Shaking my head I exhaled deeply and said that it was left with the Bone Forest Alpha.”

He nodded and told me that he was sorry that it had to end like this.

Snorting rudely I laughed awkwardly while logs were stacked around my ankles and calves.

“Fear not, Aria, you are going to evolve,” my wolf, Ashina asserted within my head and my sigil started to throb as I furrowed my brow and awaited my evolution. Into what I was uncertain.

The area began to fill with pack member spectators. The only one that appeared heartbroken was Nathan which caused my heart to harden for all those who had ridiculed me my entire life.

Hearing laughter I looked up at the Alpha’s house to see Chloe with a torch next to Ronan.

“Sadistic bitch,” I hissed as her eyes lit up along with the sticks below my feet.

The fire was moving slowly and I shook my head at them for not using an accelerant.

The flame licked against my skin and it hurt.

Confusion filled my thoughts over the intense pain.

“Ashina?” I pleaded believing something was wrong as a tortured scream ripped out from my vocal cords.

Something was happening to me though. My body was reforming in the consuming flames and I could feel Ashina stirring inside of me wanting to break free.

Waving my now free arms I controlled the fire.

The crowd grew quiet and a few dropped to their knees as I shook off the ashes and stepped out of the pile of burning coals.

My wolf sigil was still alight with a tiny fire.

Raising my flame-filled eyes toward Ronan I eyed him with contempt.

“I'm leaving now, I will kill whoever you try to send after me, don't be an idiot,” I asserted while I played with a small flame dancing across my fingertips.

His mouth hung open and his eyes bulged as I walked past him and his elite guardsmen.

Stopping before Nathan I lowered my voice and told him that if he ever left to find me, I would make him my head guard.

After I headed into the darkening cursed forest toward the golden eyes I saw illuminated in the distance.

“What am I?” I asked Ashina only to be met with silence.

Continuing toward the Bone Forest I hoped Hella could answer the questions I had about who or what I was and my future.

A quiet disembodied woman's voice whispered, "Congratulations, daughter of Ash."

I glanced around myself and shivered.

"Who is Ash?!"

Silence once again as I tread past the packhouse, curious if Ash was my real father's name.