Chapter-2

                                                                          Asher

3 months later…

I let the window of my car down and took a deep breath. The air felt fresh, immediately bringing in a sense of familiarity with it. It has been months since I have been away from home because of my training at the BlackRiver pack in Spain. It was an integral rule for an Alpha to train at another pack to gain more knowledge and experience that was needed to fit the role.

The past eight months have been great, and it was amazing training at BlackRiver. But I was so glad to be back home, GrayCrest. 

“It’s good to have you back, brother,” I whirled my head around and Noah gave me a smile. He was my elder brother and one of those saints who didn’t belong in this cruel world. 

“It’s good to be back,” I agreed. 

"The pack is eager to greet you. And so are Rose and Cora."I smiled, realizing how long it has been since I saw my family. The two women Noah mentioned were my brothers' mates. Rose was Noah's mate and Cora was my eldest brother, Logan's mate. Together they had a two-year-old son, Theo, while the former couple had an adorable little girl, Aurora. As for me...

“You are the one without a mate,” Mac, my wolf grimaced. 

Yeah, I was the one without a mate. A fleeting memory crossed through my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. I was happy without a mate because I just do not believe in the concept. The whole thing makes life complicated. And I hate complications with a passion. As an Alpha, I already have plenty. 

"So, met anyone special back at BlackRiver?” Noah raised a brow. I knew he must have been dying to ask this from the moment he picked me up. 

“I came back alone, didn’t I?” I retorted. 

“So, no one?” He sounded disappointed. 

“I had my fair share of fun, as always,” I replied disinterestedly. “Spanish women are stunning.” 

“Not stunning enough to entice you into making one of them your Luna?” 

“No,” 

“Asher, you are twenty-six now. You have to find a mate. Your position can be challenged without a Luna, you know that right?” 

“I come back after eight months and that’s all you got?” I scowled. 

“Alright, sorry,” he raised his left arm in defense. “Welcome back home. It did not feel the same without you,” I was about to retort but got lost in nostalgia as the enormous iron gates opened, revealing the smooth, circular drive through the forested area. The Alpha House and the pack were tucked further uphill, and it was one of the most stunning places to be, surrounded by the beautiful Adirondack mountains. 

“Everyone is gathered in the living room to welcome you,” Noah said, pulling outside the garage. “You go ahead, I will park and be there with you,” I nodded and climbed out, immediately greeted with the scent of fall and home. It was just another day at the pack, I realized, as I jogged towards the Alpha house while glancing around and taking everything in. 

The omegas were busy at work. The warriors were training. I spotted Eli, my best friend, and the Delta of the pack, training the younger boys who were yet to shift. He waved at me and mindlinked: “See you in a bit!” 

“Oh, fuck!” The strong yet feminine voice distracted me from responding, and I blinked as something, no, someone, crashed straight into my chest. But it wasn’t the impact that caught my attention. 

It was THE scent. 

It was so extremely heady and potent that it made all my senses go numb for a second. But after that, it felt like the world came crashing down on me. My body started heating, my heart suddenly pounding furiously in my chest while a tremor curled down my spine. My wolf stirred, pushing me to move back and find the owner of that scent.  

Blood rushed through my veins like a dam-gate opening as I peered down and blinked at the piercing blue eyes that gazed up at me. And right at that moment, time stopped, the world froze, and everything went to a standstill. All I could focus on at that moment was her. It was like everything disappeared, and it was her…and that scent. 

“Mate,” Mac whispered, a tremor rolling down my spine again. “My…mate…” 

I froze, and she froze and nothing seemed to make sense as we stood and stared at each other, eyes wide while shock erupted through my system. 

“Ah, you guys met already,” It was Noah’s voice, somewhere behind me. “Ash, this is our new warrior and sworn guard for Cora and Rose…Ivyanka,” 

I blinked and so did she, and the next word that rolled through her tongue brought back a long, lost memory buried deep in my mind. From shock, her eyes narrowed into slits as she shot me a dark scowl and hissed…

“You!”