Ariezel“Over here!” Harriet called out, pointing to a small stall.With Alys beside me, I moved towards Harriet.Harriet had quickly gotten acquainted with me. She had never spoken about my quiet nature. Instead she let herself fill the silence. I was content to keep silent and listen. Alys' friendship came much slower. It seemed that while not working with her she acted much more relaxed. When I was free they decided to bring it upon themselves to show me around, leading me to the marketplace. It didn't take long for Harriet to wander.“Alys, Ariezel, isn't this so nice?” Harriet stared in awe at the pieces of jewelry hanging on the stall, complimenting the pack member behind it.I looked to see Alys roll her eyes, dragging Harriet away from the stand. “Why don't you worry about finding dye first? Your roots are showing.” she saidAlys was right. I looked at the top of Harriet's hair, the pink fading into what was her real hair color, a strawberry blonde.Harriet shrugged “I'm th
Ariezel“Over here!” Harriet called out, pointing to a small stall.With Alys beside me, I moved towards Harriet.Harriet had quickly gotten acquainted with me. She had never spoken about my quiet nature. Instead she let herself fill the silence. I was content to keep silent and listen. Alys' friendship came much slower. It seemed that while not working with her she acted much more relaxed. When I was free they decided to bring it upon themselves to show me around, leading me to the marketplace. It didn't take long for Harriet to wander.“Alys, Ariezel, isn't this so nice?” Harriet stared in awe at the pieces of jewelry hanging on the stall, complimenting the pack member behind it.I looked to see Alys roll her eyes, dragging Harriet away from the stand. “Why don't you worry about finding dye first? Your roots are showing.” she saidAlys was right. I looked at the top of Harriet's hair, the pink fading into what was her real hair color, a strawberry blonde.Harriet shrugged “I'm th
AriezelIt was whilst working the next day that I was unceremoniously called into Asher's office.“You should go, Ariezel.” Ambrose said, eyes only trailing me for a second before going back to his desk. He didn't pay me any mind, oblivious to the way I straightened my posture.I was tense at the mention of Asher. The events of the day before hadn't left my mind. Especially how close we were.I could imagine it clearly anytime I closed my eyes. His plush lips. I had never been drawn towards lips before, but Asher seemed to be the exception. He was always the exception.But that wasn't what stunned me. No, it was the look in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat.His proximity was close, yet I had never seen his eyes so dark. The bright evergreen that sparkled when he smiled a little was gone, replaced with darkness, only the slight ring of green shown. The look he gave sent shivers up my spine, but not out of fear. It was…something else.Was he going to kiss me? Back then, the way h
AsherThey say time is truly a funny thing. Sometimes a week could seem like a year and in others, a month like only a few days all based on one's mindset.It was indisputable as those four days I spent with Ariezel felt like an eternity I could have basked in. An eternity I would crave more.I thought that I could only be content with her friendship before. But from the moment of our first kiss, I knew I would break if we were only just friends. If there was any doubt of my newly gained feelings for her, that was enough to burn them all away into nothing but ashes.Not to mention what came after. The times we spent together were the same, yet completely different. Where before freedom and small smiles filled out time in the garden, it was now filled with kisses and charged touches that felt all too wonderful yet not enough. I treasured every moment we had spent together.It was a moment I wanted to bask in for eternity.But all things had to come to an end, and with one end came new b
Ariezel“Oh Moon Goddess, Ari. You have no idea the stir you caused!” Harriet gushed. Despite the foreboding words she said, her expression seemed more positively excited.After the…events of that morning, I was met with plenty of stares. Alys own was what struck out the most. So after taking effort to leave the place calmly I rushed Alys to my room where I told her everything, including the truth of Asher being my mate.She said nothing, looking contemplative but not angry. All she said was that we were going to talk about it later, and that was enough for me.I walked silently beside her and Harriet, repressing the curling feeling around me.The news spread around the pack like wildfire, and I was sure everyone was privy to it now.For most of the day, I had managed to avoid people's stares, especially after the morning's events. Their gazes crawled up my skin.Now? It was evening and I had no choice but to subject myself to the stars. Luckily Alys and Harriet were beside me, block
AriezelThe moment the words hit, all I felt was numbness.“What? No. Impossible. It's impossible.” I pressed on.What was she saying? My child couldn't be gone. They couldn't.But I remembered the red stain so well. The pain.'No.'I looked at the woman, begging for anything but what I was thinking.But the sad face of the pack doctor was enough proof to shatter my hopes.Something scorching hot trailed down my face. It was my tears.My hand pressed to my belly despite the pain. It didn't hurt,bit compared to the blbone wracking feeling I had now.I heard ugly sounds, akin to animal noises. It was the cry of someone in grief. It only took a few seconds to realise I was the one making those noises.I had thought that once I had escaped the pain with escaping from Derek.I was wrong.“No!!” my scream shattered the monotone sounds of the hospital. Huge wails shook my body.I held my belly in my arms, ignoring all the pain and noises. It was still there, protruding. My baby was there j
AriezelI came back to the pack hours later, ignoring the looks the pack members had on me like the plague.“Ari…” Harriet murmured, leading me away from said stares towards the hallway to my room.“How are you feeling? I'm so-...You still need to rest.” I could tell that she had refrained from apologizing and I was all the more grateful for it.“Im okay now.” the words sounded hollow in my throat as I said them. Of course, physically I was okay. But mentally? What could I say?Harriet shook her head, a small sad yet understanding smile on her usually bright face. Her eyes were slightly swollen and I could tell she had cried but was trying not to show it.“It's alright. You don't have to be alright. Just go to rest.”Swallowing, I entered my room, crashing onto the bed and hoping that the sheets would forever.The next day was practically the same thing. Despite being in the pack house, Alys was the one who brought me food to eat under the excuse that I was still recuperating.I stil
AsherThe moment I watched her body fall to the ground was the most tormenting I have ever faced.“Ariezel!” I screamed. I had never been so grateful for my speed until now. My life became a blur as I struggled, racing against the distance that kept us apart just to catch her from her fall. In that tiny millisecond if a moment, I prayed like I never had that I would be successful.My prayers were answered as her body crashed into mine, laying on my arms. Her weight sent me almost toppling down with her. I stood my ground, stumbling slightly as I held her in my arms Panic crawled up my throat as I saw her unconscious face. Her frame was pale, long red hair in more disarray.Sweat was littered all over her, yet her face remained paper white, the flush that was supposed to be there was absent.My heart was racing fast in my chest as I roved over her frame as quickly as I could for any wounds or signs…anything. Even though the shirt and pants she wore, there was no split. No sign of an o
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