Chapter three

Ashley’s P.O.V.

Attack?

It happened so fast that I thought I was hallucinating, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain in my body. One second, the air was thick with mockery and dominance, relishing my suffering. And the next, it was pierced by a feral howl, so loud and deep that it made my bones shiver.

The wind changed, carrying the scent of foreign warriors, blood, and vengeance. It took them a second to barge into the pack ground like shadows coming to life, cutting down the rogues with merciless precision. The sky turned red with fire and fury as blood sprayed across the clearing like crimson paint.

Struggling to stand up, I tried to process the horrifying scene before me. The sight of the rogues being torn apart widened my eyes in disbelief. I watched through the haze of smoke and pain as wolves clashed, snarling and growling at each other. Being a part of such a gruesome fight was the confirmation of death for me.

But the question was: Who had attacked us?

Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait for an answer as the leader of the rival pack appeared in the crowd, pausing my heart for a moment. He moved like a storm, calculated, deadly, and impossible to ignore. His crimson eyes burned through the battlefield as he shifted mid-strike, eliminating the soldiers like the blade of death.

I gasped, “Vincenzo?”

Yes!

Alpha Vincenzo Anderson!

My ex-mate, the one who destroyed my world with his cruelness!

Vincenzo’s black wolf moved like a storm, charging at enemies. His precise blows were a glimpse of his mastery. My heart stumbled over its rhythm as I gawked at him, startled to see him after half a decade. He hadn't changed a bit.

Smoked curled through the air like ghostly fingers, wrapping around the bodies that littered the pack ground. My vision blurred as someone’s blood splattered on my face. The stench of blood was overwhelming, urging me to run for my life. It was necessary to escape after catching a glance of my heartless ex.

Unfortunately, I was paralyzed by the pain in my body, forced to watch the horrifying dance of death. And like it wasn’t enough, Vincenzo’s wolf stilled in the middle of killing, sniffing the air deeply. His mighty frame shook as he turned and looked at me.

The hint of shock in those crimson orbs pounded my heart against my chest as he growled, coursing jolts of electricity through my body. My breath hitched in my throat as he ran towards me.

However, a thunderous growl halted him in his tracks. King Ralph challenged Alpha Vincenzo.

“Stop your madness and fight with me if you are a true Alpha!”

His brave challenge froze the fighting warriors to their spots. They forgot to move, as Vincenzo accepted the challenge promptly.

“Alright, Ralph. It’s time for you to die!”

The soldiers circled them as they faced each other in human forms, not bothering about their wolves. Their bare bodies smeared with blood were the war medals, asserting their dominance.

King Ralph’s eyes burned golden as he stalked towards Vincenzo, smirking viciously. My throat tightened as the two Alphas; two forces of nature, collided with full might.

Rubbing my eyes, I tried to look at those flashing figures. A prayer rose from the depths of my heart.

“Please be safe, Vincenzo!”

That was my wolf, Ivory, praying for the person who destroyed our lives. I scolded her bitterly.

“Don’t you dare, Ivory. Have you forgotten how Vincenzo treated us like the dirt off his shoes?”

The scenes of the cold-hearted rejection flashed across my mind, shutting Ivory’s nonsense at once. The pain of separation pushed her into the darkness as she cried out.

“You are right, Ash. We will never forgive him.”

Trust was the base of every relationship, and we were bonded by fate. Our special pairing was the gift of our Moon Goddess. We were happy to recognize each other mates on my eighteenth birthday, hiding this news until Vincenzo’s Alpha accession two weeks later. He wanted to announce me as his Luna in front of his entire pack.

Dreaming about our fated union, I was over the moon to be the life partner of my childhood sweetheart. Vincenzo was the only man in my heart. When the auspicious day arrived, we celebrated his accession, and he even marked me. But when it was my turn, his dad’s Beta accused me.

“Alpha, we have investigated the case of stolen defense strategies. Ashley Miller is the thief, selling our pack’s secrets to enemies.”

I cried, begged, and swore on my life, pleading for a chance to defend myself. Not only did Vincenzo refuse to trust me, but he also insulted our bond by suspecting my loyalty to him. He didn’t question his subordinate’s case and announced my penalty, rejecting me at the spot.

I was called a traitor, a backstabber bitch who betrayed her pack for some bucks. If it wasn’t for my father’s services for the pack, Vincenzo would have killed me instead of banishment.

And now, all thanks to my luck, he was back in my life, currently busting the ass of the self-acclaimed King. They moved like predators, punching, striking, tearing at each other with a rage that went beyond territory and power.

Vincenzo grabbed Ralph from the collar, slamming him against the ground with a roar. I flinched as Ralph freed himself soon, responding with equal force. But he was too late!

Dodging his headbutt, Vincenzo jabbed his pointed elbow in his neck, making him cough up blood. His claws sunk into King’s stomach, gutting his intestines out.

Taking advantage of Ralph’s weakness, Vincenzo delivered the last blow to end his life, tearing his head from his body. One final twist, one sickening crunch, and the cheering crowd fell silent.

Vincenzo stood victorious on Ralph’s lifeless body, blood dripping from his mouth and hands. His smooth collarbone brought a bitter smile to my face, reminding me how he rejected me before letting me mark him. His burnt mark on my neck was the proof of injustice I faced in his pack.

I thought Vincenzo would give a victory speech, but Ralph’s Beta immediately filled in the place of his King. He barked fiercely.

“Let’s avenge our King’s death, brothers!”

It seemed Vincenzo hadn’t expected that outcome, as his frantic gaze darted from one corner to another, staring at the rogues ready to fight till death.

That was the moment his blue eyes found me again, flickering with a hint of familiarity. I could read shock written in bold letters on his dumbfounded face even with my blurred vision.

I stood trembling as my branded skin burned, tormenting my wounded soul. Our eyes locked and the bond we once shared flickered faintly like an ember refusing to die, igniting a delicious fire in my heart.

Amidst death and ash, I didn’t know whether I wanted to fall into his arms or cry as he sprinted towards me, calling my name.

“Watch out, Ash!”

A blind arrow hit me out of nowhere, erupting a fountain of blood from my arm. I couldn’t escape the harshness of a bloodied war. Feeling dizzy, the darkness prevailed before my eyes as I collapsed. Vincenzo’s worried shouts were the last thing I heard before fainting ...