AriezelWhat happened to him?I paced around my room in the middle of the night. That night, like the others, I had waited for his arrival, hoping that he would come and explain himself. As the hours passed my heart grew weary as it had for the past three days, and in the end I knew he wasn't coming.His absence, like before, left me restless. Usually I would have buried my sadness within, ignoring it in turn for sleep and carrying a torch of hope within me as I leaned into his lingering scent for comfort. But not this time.After the way he dismissed me in his office, I could no longer bury myself in vacant hope. I could no longer stand by and wait helplessly for whatever was to come.Instead my mind ran wild and I began pacing, wracking my brain for what felt like the hundredth time for what had changed in him. And so immediately at that.I hadn't expected to find a solution quickly, if at all. Yet it still filled me with frustration nonetheless.All I knew for certain was that it r
ARIEZELI took a step back, or at least I thought I did. Perhaps I was falling already, about to collide with the grass below the same grass which we had spoken under many times.But I wasn't. My legs remained on the ground, and he was still at the front of my view. Silent, unwavering. Cold.What had happened to him so instantaneously? How had the man I knew and grown to love seemed to have morphed into a completely different person? Why was he acting so different?My mind whirred, yet no solutions could be found. Even as I buried myself under the memories, all I saw were the beautiful memories. His sweet words and our loving nights. Memories that couldn't match with the present person I saw now.“I love you Ariezel.”“Leave.”“Thank you for being my mate.”“I want us to break this bond.”Freezing cold tendrils froze my blood, settling right in with the dread inside me.I was brought back to reality unexpectedly. I blinked and wondered why everything in me blared in alarm all of a sud
Asher I knew she was there. Why wouldn't I? Her stare burned towards me. Rather than a deep flame, it felt scorching. Not the accusatory eyes Ambrose silently gave after I had revealed to him Serena's arrival. This felt more painful than anything, weighing deeper on me than any other stare.It only made me burrow in deeper, burying myself in blonde hair and a too different scent. I held Serena tighter.The pack's eyes were all on us and this was the most evident claim I could have given.Soon I felt the pain through the mate bond, and her faint footsteps amongst the crowd sang clearly to me.Within me my wolf rebelled, it wanted to draw away from the too- thin frame and go after her, hold her close. The thought made me pull Serena even closer.‘No.’ I told myself as I had done for the past several days. I reigned him into silence, suppressing my instincts despite the difficulty it caused. It was never really over, but after laying the constant barrier, I could have pretended like it
AlysIt was in the hall that I saw as everything crashed down.The moment I saw Serena there I gaped in shock, wondering why the woman who had tormented many of the pack members, the reason why people sighed in relief at her exit was back.My shock was even greater the moment Asher had announced her as his mate.‘Where did that come from?’ I wondered.This had to be a joke. Many days had passed since I visited Ariezel, but last I was there she remained happy with him. He treated her well.Harriet had come to me once to tell me that she hadn't seemed okay, but I brushed it off, never wondering why? Had I missed any signs at all?I thought even more deeply, perusing through my memories. I hadn't visited her since and she had become scarce, however...I blinked in realization as it came to me. How could I have missed the time she approached me?I had felt strange at how she had approached me out of nowhere, but I paid no mind when she spoke to me. Her question rang out loud.I recalled h
AmbroseEven after her footsteps echoed, drowned by the noises of the crowd, I remained standing there right where she left me. The shadow of her scent and presence remained in front of me like a ghost.“Why didn't you warn any of us if you knew?" She had asked.How could I have warned anyone, when I wasn't aware until the last moment?Although one thing could have been argued. I did know that there was something wrong, that cracks that came out if nowhere began. I was even more sure of it during my encounter with Asher in the office days ago.FlashbackI stepped into Asher's office.“Ambrose." He addressed me not as a question.At his cue, I began talking about pack matters, keeping him noted in every affair he wasn't aware of.“Alpha Blackwell, aside from that there have been no new updates.” I finished.He nodded silently in turn. Usually his schedule had been more lighthearted, one minded whilst at work, yet when it was evening he bolted out faster than lightning. Although I neve
Ariezel I had felt different levels of pain, but this one seemed to cut the most.I let out another strangled sob through my lips. My throat burned from all the sobbing. I couldn't tell how long exactly I had been in this state, but somehow the sky had gotten darker since I left.Every new sound wrangled from my lips made the burning start anew. It merged perfectly with the heavy feeling in my eyes from all the tears I shed, yet never seemed to stop shedding.Quite ironic wasn't it, everything I was doing hurt me, yet I couldn't stop myself from doing it. All because this hurt I faced, the burning was better than facing the hole practically carved out of my heart.The image I saw flashed by again, followed by his hurtful words and I bowed back into my pillow, a sorrowful scream leaving my lips as my body shook past another round of sobbing.The image was burned into my mind. Seeing him and Serena together embracing after everything we had been through, after him knowing what she had
AriezelI gasped as I let myself slump to the ground.My attempts to take in deep breaths were betrayed by the ache in my lungs and the will for more air, keeping my breathing fast.The exhaustion leaked through my bones, seeping into every part of me. My legs ached dully from all the steps I had taken. My head hurt from all the strains and my arms hurt from everything I had to do with them. Yet nothing felt any heavier than my eyelids.I looked up into the darkness, only illuminated by a dim candlelight and wished for nothing but the darkness. My body seemed to grow heavier.Maybe I could take a short rest. Just for a while…‘No.’In an instant I opened my eyes, all heavy feeling slipping away. Despite the strain on my body I slowly sat up, raising my body slowly. I winced as my tender feet pressed against the cold ground, but it didn't matter.I was still standing.Slowly I took the washcloth I had left before, and continued on with my work. The task that Serena had given me.After
AriezelI laid silently on the bed, heartbroken and angry.Asher did the worst thing to me at that moment. He had pierced my soul completely.Even after I woke up to the blue sky, it felt like nothing could heal what I had just faced.A knock came to the door, leading me to blink in surprise. Who was knocking? And more importantly, why?I was used to the door opening unceremoniously. Serena or one of her lackeys would wake me up to assign me my next work. That was why the knock was suspicious.The next second allayed all my thoughts.“Ari? Are you awake?” it was Harriet's voice.It felt like a new life had spilled into me. I stood up despite the ache that resounded.On the other side was Harriet and Alys.“Oh Goddess" Harriet gasped, looking at me. She moved to hug me only to stop in her tracks, hesitating as she looked into my eyes questioningly.I knew that it would hurt but I nodded. Even though I groaned in response to the bone- crushing hug she gave, I didn't regret it.She pull
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