Ariezel “Look out there! It's a pretty bird!"I looked in command, spotting the bird Camilla spoke of.Rubbing her hair gently, I shifted my gaze to face her.“Yes. It is a lovely bird." I said, smiling at her giggle.She turned back, her red curls bouncing along with her.She was the youngest out of the two of my half sisters, nine years old, although she continuously argues that she was turning ten.After getting to know Florian, he introduced me to both of them with joy. Although for now they only saw me as an aunt and the future Luna, in spite of our resemblance.It hadn't taken long for her to grow used to me, although Jolene, the older one, was more reserved.I turned to look at her in the hall we were staying in. She lounged in a chair, short blonde tresses resting on the couch as she read a book. She was the sole outlier out of us, and she was mostly quiet, always analyzing whenever I was present.It was okay, I didn't mind staying for as long as it took for her to get used t
AriezelThump. Thump. Thump.Each kick hurt, the pain blooming in my legs as he stepped on me. I was too weak to fight it, too tired to avoid it.“Stupid bitch.”“Whore.”“Useless.”I let his words float over me like clouds. Even through the void of nothingness that I saw, they remained potent.Finally the hits stopped and relief hit me. I hadn't shed a tear throughout. I had learned not to in the time that passed.“Look at you. So pathetic.”I heard the sound before I felt the warm wetness on my face. He had spit on me. Still my eyes remained closed. “You'd better make sure this place is clean before anyone comes. That's all you're good for anyways.”His words entered me, yet I stayed still even as his footsteps retreated.The moment the door which sounded so far away shut, I waited for a few more seconds before attempting to rise up.Each part of my body twinged with every shift. A particularly sharp pain spread across my shoulder. I used my equally bruised hand to check it, feelin
“You are pregnant"PregnantMy eyes opened to see nothing but darkness. I relaxed once I remembered that I was in the living room, resting.I was still reeling from the news when I returned back home and Derek was still gone. I layed on the couch and fell asleep in tears.My exhaustion was so much that I fell asleep and woken up in the evening. My stomach growled in hunger, but I couldn't eat until Derek was present. The last time I did he almost forced a teaspoon down my throat in anger.I had no idea what had changed in him since he got the alpha position. My childhood friend turned mate who treated me with kindness and love had become a monster.And now?My arms wrapped around my belly with his child. Our child. What was I going to do?All I hoped for was that the pack doctor hadn't told him the news yet. Just this one mercy would be enough.So lost in thought, I slipped into sleep once more.I was woken up by a loud sound. Alert, I opened my eyes to find darkness. It was already
ARIEZELThe walk through the forest seemed endless, but after what seemed like an eternity, I finally stopped and turned back. There were only rounds and rounds of trees filled with darkness, even from above, I couldn’t see a hint of any of the pack buildings.This was it.Turning around, I ran as fast as I could, the adrenaline taking over me as I let the trees blur with the speed I ran. As I let my body lead me farther off, only one thought echoed in my mind.I was free.I was finally free from the months of abuse. I was free from the pain and aches and pretending. I was free from the indifferent yet pitying stares the Pack Doctor gave every single time he saw me. I was free from watching the man who used every chance to break me in both body and mind be so adored by the rest of the pack, ignorant of his actions. I was free from the insults, the curses which he ingrained into my mind.Finally, finally, I was free.Hours later after I exhausted myself from running, I rested on the ba
ARIEZELMy lids felt heavy as I forced them open. My entire body ached, all the bruises and pains from my body making me groan against the cold ground.Cold?I forced my eyes open wider, adjusting to the sight only to find that my surroundings were dim. I wasn't in the forest anymore.Looking down at the cold surface I was on, I saw the stone tiles. No, I wasn't dead.And I definitely wasn't in the forest anymore.The place was mostly dark, the only source of light came from above me on the wall. Finally, I could see much clearer. Only a few meters away from me were bars. Long metal bars that went from ground to ceiling. My belly hurt from hunger and the pains and weakness ailed me, still I managed to stand and move forward to touch the metal bars.I was in a cage? No. A cell.I looked around me. There was nobody else in sight. When I saw the duffel bag of my belongings I let out a sigh of relief.Where was i? Most of all, how did I get here?I tried recalling what I remembered bef
AsherSeeing that slight smile on her face brought a ton of aggravation on my end. I still couldn't believe it.This was my mate. My true mate.“Asher?”Serena's voice came again beside me, a different kind of reminder.I had a mate already.Serena had spilled the beans before I could speak, and now, this woman who was my True mate knew I was with someone that wasn't her.So why did she look relieved and happy?I had no idea why I was acting out this way. I had no intentions of mating with her, true bond or not. I already had Serena. Yet still, the twist of annoyance at looking at her face continued.I turned away, even passing Serena as I walked out of the prison. Serena followed me, calling out my name.“You.” I called out the first guard, seeing the initial fear in his eyes before he came closer to me.“Yes sir.?”“Release her and send her to one of the rooms in the pack house.” I orderedHe nodded sharply “Yes sir.”After signaling the other guard to follow him, the two guards pa
AriezelI shuffled through the murky darkness, unable to see or hear anything. It felt like i was floating in a void.But I didn't mind. Not when everywhere was so, so warm.I snuggled further into the warmth, wanting to stay for plenty while longer.A sharp feeling came and suddenly the warmth was gone replaced by a sharp chill that grew every moment.The cold slowly brought me out if the abyss, and i felt myself rise up…up…The light hurt when my eyes cracked open. It took time for the brightness to dim while I noticed the two shadows.Moments later, when my eyesight was clearer, I understood.It was day and there were two people standing above me.It was two women who looked my age. One held a stern gaze with brunette hair whilst the other was a dyed an electric blue, as whimsical as her smile whilst looking at me.The memories came rushing back and I raised myself up, prepared for anything.They made no move as I did, sitting up and pulling myself further from the blanket which th
AsherThe almost sickly sweet floral scent wisped through my nose the moment I opened the door. It was a welcoming presence for everyone who stepped into this place, and a warning for others repelling them from stepping away. I entered the room with ease, shutting the door behind me.It may have been a warning for others, but not for me.The place was dark, very little light emanating from the windows. Despite that, the air remained fresh, probably even more refreshing compared to the forest.That was the wonder of this place. One would call it magic. In a way, and i suppose it was.Tiny tinkling sounds came, becoming louder and louder as footsteps emerged. I straightened to my full position, ready to meet her.A figure emerged from a smaller room and came towards me, her frame becoming more and more visible every closer she got.Fully decked in silver jewelry with a deep blue robe, the high priestess looked up with a smile.“Welcome, Alpha Blackwell. What, may I ask, brings you here
Ariezel “Look out there! It's a pretty bird!"I looked in command, spotting the bird Camilla spoke of.Rubbing her hair gently, I shifted my gaze to face her.“Yes. It is a lovely bird." I said, smiling at her giggle.She turned back, her red curls bouncing along with her.She was the youngest out of the two of my half sisters, nine years old, although she continuously argues that she was turning ten.After getting to know Florian, he introduced me to both of them with joy. Although for now they only saw me as an aunt and the future Luna, in spite of our resemblance.It hadn't taken long for her to grow used to me, although Jolene, the older one, was more reserved.I turned to look at her in the hall we were staying in. She lounged in a chair, short blonde tresses resting on the couch as she read a book. She was the sole outlier out of us, and she was mostly quiet, always analyzing whenever I was present.It was okay, I didn't mind staying for as long as it took for her to get used t
143: AriezelIn the end, Alys and Harriet left us alone in the room. We stared at each other for what seemed like ages.I couldn't believe my eyes as I stared at the man in front of me. It seemed more like a dream as I looked at him over.I felt him doing the same to me, awe and surprise written over his face.But we couldn't stay in silence for long. Not as it stretched to the point of awkwardness. Finally regaining a bit of my senses, I parted my lips to speak.“Hello." Both our voices chorused.I blinked in surprise. As it seemed we had both spoken at the same time.The single word seemed to sway through the tension that was presented. I cracked my lips in a small smile.“Please sit down." I said, gesturing to the chair which Alys once sat in.I was sure Alys must have been grilling Harriet by now. After all, she hadn't kept this from just me but from her as well.I waved the thought away easily. Alys and Harriet were the last thing on my mind as he sat down.It was even more uncan
Ariezel“So one of the members said that she insulted her butt, so the other- her name was…Amber I think? Proceeded to shiver her own butt in my face just for comparison.”My stomach hurt badly solely from the amount of times I laughed. It was so difficult to catch my breath from the words Alys was saying.Thankfully, she waited till I was done before she spoke again.“In the end," Alys sighed despondently “The fight turned into a butt comparing contest with people as the audience and I being the judge. All I could think of at the moment was that this wasn't what I had prepared for."I howled again in laughter, the humor of her deadpan words further aggravated by the resigned, almost haunted look on her face. In my laughter I vaguely heard Alys laughter follow as minutes passed.My breaths heaving for air I looked at Alys to find an amused look on her face.“I glad that my misery could make you a little bit happy.” she said.I shook my head quickly in response .“I'm so sorry." I apo
AriezelI was weightless, swimming in darkness without a care in the world. It felt like there was nothing holding me back. It might as well have been true.Like wisps of smoke, memories and voices came to me, only to fade away the moment I tried reaching out for them. In the end, I remained floating.I didn't know how much time I had spent, but soon, everything began to fade. The weightless darkness I floated in materialized until a firmament grew below, carrying me. The weightless darkness faded into something else. Something more material.Like a disk, I was drawn out of my water and the peaceful darkness, into something more material.And slowly but surely, I opened my heavy eyelids to see blinding light.It took me time to adjust, squinting and blinking against the harsh brightness. Once I finally did, all my other senses came back.A soft but firm surface below me, the scent of comfort that wafted over and ceiling I felt familiar in.Where was I?My memories then came back and
AsherI focused on her, taking her hand in mine in spite of everything in me that resisted.“Hello Serena." I said in a gratingly low voice, looking into her eyes.She sighed, looking awestruck as she looked at me.She, just like all the others who had once fought and scrambled to force me to mate with them, only saw what I was from the outside. A ruthless alpha and a powerful one.There was only one who didn't.Thoughts hammered in my head, coaxing me to go back and fix what I had done. I stayed firm however and brought the blonde woman closer.It was only a matter of time.“Let's go inside Serena.” coaxing her away, I led her inside, eyeing the rest of her guards who moved away, paving the path for us.Together, we moved through the forest with her and I at the forefront whilst the rest of my soldiers and hers followed from behind. Our arms were linked as we walked while she spoke ravingly. She kept on rambling about how she knew that I was going to come back to her and all her :sac
Ariezel My breath caught as those words reverberated through my brain long after they had gone.‘What?'My heart stuttered the moment I heard them, confusion filling my senses as I looked at him.It wasn't an illusion. Those were the words that came out of his mouth.‘Why?’What was he thinking? Why would he say that?I tried to look at him, praying that he would look at me and tell me that it was a hoax or something. Anything.But he kept his eyes away, focusing on Serena.“Asher." I cried out. I struggled against their grip, uncaring at that moment. It was only when I felt the threatening cool metal pressing against me in warning that I stopped.I didn't stop looking at him however, hoping that my call would finally make him focus on me.To my relief, it did.When he looked at me, I didn't expect to see his gaze so cold and shuttered.I was thrown aback by the sudden stare. This wasn't my Asher. The distance in his stare reminded me of back then, when he suddenly left me.My blood t
Ariezel “Relax. He'll be back in no time.” Alys said.I smiled at her in turn, yet I couldn't focus properly.Under the protection of soldiers within my room, Alys and Harriet stayed to keep me company throughout. Hours had passed, yet with no news, we stayed in place with more worries than not.Alys had left the hospital and held the same worried gaze in spite of her constant assurance. It was especially more of a necessity for her considering that Ambrose had gone along with Asher. Now we were both waiting and hoping that all went well for the sake of our mates.“I…I actually have something to tell you guys." Harriet spoke hesitantly.I was grateful for any distraction that could take away the churning anxiety.I had never expected what she would say next.“I found my mate."My jaw dropped.“Oh my…oh Goddess." Alys was the first to move forward, taking Harriet's hands in hers.“That's so good. I'm happy for you.” Alys gushed out.I knew that in spite of her carefree attitude, she
Asher The night was still, without so much as a cricket sound.My gaze swept the place. As I had expected, the security was lax.‘How foolish of them.’We had left the pack by evening, marching and moving until we hid close to the border of the Pack.When I told Ariezel of the sped up plans, she was worried, kissing me goodbye on the forehead.“Be safe." She whispered.My heart skipped a beat for her, knowing that she was out of my reach, filling me with anxiety.But there was no reason for me to be so worried about her this time. I had placed several guards under her to watch.Now? It was already midnight. We had trailed the path, waiting inconspicuously for hours. Whether or not Derek was here, at least I would be able to finish off one thing.It was soon time. My instincts were on overdrive, pumped with adrenaline. I could feel the weight of the celrescent moon above us.They wouldn't see this coming.I rose my hand to signal them all.This was the same thing they had done to us.
Asher “199…200.” I grunted out, pushing my body up.Only a day was left before the attack was launched. Until them, I had to continuously put myself in prime condition for certain victory.That involved constantly working out day by day, straining myself to the limits within the span of time I had.My days had only been limited to those two things; training and Ariezel. I wasn't shy to say that the majority of my time was spent with Ariezel, whether it was from taking walks with her to watching over her in the nights till early in the morning. I remained constantly by her side.Nothing was going to happen overnight, much less after two days. She was still reeling from my acceptance and remained hesitant. My heart still ached as she woke up with nightmares.But unlike before, she never faked a smile like before. She spoke openly about her nightmares before she slipped back into sleep. Even when she stiffened at the mention of her condition, whenever I was there, she relaxed. This tim