AriezelI stood stiffly, shut my eyes as though it would make me disappear. But it didn't. I still remained there, in the garden and Asher was still behind me.Oh moon Goddess, Asher was behind me.I didn't want to confront him, and had hoped that I wouldn't ever need to until…‘Until our mate's bond was broken.’The thought alone was akin to a pinprick to my heart, despite all I had done to freeze whatever was left of it towards Asher.There was no way I could dispute my presence. He would already know and feel it, the same way I knew it was him even if I never heard his voice.All I had to do now was ignore it. Pretend as though he was a ghost. Harriet was waiting for me.I took a step to leave, but like most things in my life it didn't go according to plan.“Arixcel, wait. Please.”I could continue moving forward, but my traitorous body stopped in response to his call. I cursed at myself inwardly that despite everything, I could still act like this for him.Why? Why couldn't he set
AsherSeveral days ago.I groaned as I woke up, the pounding in my head too hard to ignore.It took me time to recall how I had ended up here, but once I did, my entire body was tense.The documents, her father, Ambrose,Ariezel.“Would you be willing to let her go?”I sucked in a breath at the thought, the ache that reverberated through my skull getting worse from all the thinking I was doing. Shutting my eyes, I held in my breath, hoping that the pain would subside.Reaching out, I touched something strange, bringing me to pry my eyes open solely to see what it was.A glass bottle, illuminated in bright purple and almost glowing was what I held.It was strange, even stranger that it was in my room, but it didn't seem threatening at all. Wincing slightly I noticed the card that was attached to the stopper, squinting slightly to struggle reading it.‘Alpha Blackwell, by the time you get this you will likely have had a restful sleep. I had casted a spell on you for a dreamless rejuvena
AriezelPresent dayI stood, stuned at Asher's words. Goddess. What was I supposed to say to this?It was already a shock, learning that somehow, I was the one who had the power to sever our bond.To take him back again? To give him another chance? It should hae all been ludicrous. I didn’t have to do so after everything he had done, and I had already told him that we couldn’t go back. Yet why did my heart still ache at his words?I looked down to the ground of the garden. A place that once filled me with joy was now a maze, filled with a myriad of sorrows, joys and confusion. I almost had the urge to bring my hands up to my sight, if not for the will to keep utterly still under Asher’s gaze. I was now the one in control. No longer a bystander nor a victim waiting for the pain to happen. This time, I was the one who held the choice to go through with it.In my hands. I was the one who could end all of this. If I went to the pack priestess right now and told her to sever Asher and
AriezelIt took a few days with some secret informal communication with Ambrose, but in a few days time, we were ready.Hariet and I made eye contact with each other before quickly looking away.At this moment, we were in our living room which also served as a dining area. I was sitting on one of the couches, stitching one of my worn clothes- a skill I had to learn in the former pack. Harriet was in the open kitchen, cleaning the freshly washed plates, and the main focus of both of us, Alys, sat on one of the couches reading a book.Even though she was evidently content at this moment, there was no doubt that her eyes were no less hollow as they had before. She was still the same way, even if she used a temporary reprieve. It was enough encouragement for me to push this forward.Halting my stitching, I turned towards Alys, who hadn't taken notice of me yet.“Alys, why don’t you go to the market today?” I asked as planned. That was only the first step, getting her to leave the house.
AriezelI stepped out to the living room in a rush to see her struggling to remove her shoes.“Alys?” I called out.She looked like she was prepared to get out of her skin. She didn't notice me, nor answer my call. The closer I came, I could finally see what was wrong.On her cheeks tears shone, with unmistakable tear streaks. And I realized that she was stripping. It hit me too late.“Alys wait!" I called out, but the moment she stripped her last piece of clothing, she was off.I saw her transform into her wolf form, a deep brown wolf before she ran off further into the woods. …Only an hour later, Harriet came back, looking more worn out than I had ever seen her. her defeated look alone halted any questions that I wanted answered.Instead, I remained silent the moment she walked in, plopping over the couch with a sigh. With Alys gone and Harriet defeated, it was evident that none of them were going to do much, if anything- tonight. So burying the questions and worries away, I ins
AriezelAsher was standing right in front of me.I sucked in my breath, willing the image to go away. But I couldn't deny the hard chest pressed up against my own, or the green eyes that left me devoid of breath.He was here. After the last time I had seen him -face to face - in the garden. After I had denied turning towards him as he spoke and revealed that the severing of the mate bond was now in my hands. The one I wanted to avoid stood in front of me.In an instant I pulled away, ignoring the disappointment and shocked hurt I saw in his expression. He made no move to ask how I was, he didn't even speak at all.I looked at him all over. He looked better. Better than the ruined broken image that haunted my eyelids. There was no scent of alcohol. The gaunt tired and teary look I had seen before was no longer as drastic.A part of me felt relief seeing this. At my relief, beration followed.I couldn't let myself be bothered anymore by his appearance.I took one step back, then another
Ariezel“Hey Ari, I found somewhere completely empty.” she said.My eyes were such to the corner she neared, panic rising up my throat.But there was nothing I could do to change what happened next.“I doubt any of the pack are going to come…here…” she trailed off as she finally appeared in view, seeing me…and Asher.Surprise filled her features. She looked at me, then back to Asher then at me again.I saw every detail on how her face shuttered instantly, keeping a neutral tone that seemed positive as she bowed down to Asher.“Greetings Alpha Blackwell. ” she said.“Hello Harriet.” he said, making her stiffen in response. I looked at him with surprise. Though I had spoken to them, I was sure he had never truly met them, hence my surprise in being able to remember her name.“It is a pleasure to be recognized by the Alpha.” she said neutrally, though not out of fear, Harriet spared the bare minimum, displaying caution. She looked at me in surprise and I acted quickly.I quickly reached
Alys“Leave.” I ordered the two girls, staring daggers into them as they scuttled away, fear and apprehension clearly written in their eyes before they turned away. they scuttled out of view, slipping off to the corner of the hall before disappearing out of view.Seconds after I was sure that they were out of sight, I let my shoulders slump and breathed out slowly. All the weight I had been carrying down my shoulders weighed on me even harder now.I looked down at the broken ceramic piece that remained scattered on the floor thanks to those two girls. Despite my orders they had been careless. Breathing out one more time in a sigh, I moved forward, slowly crouching carefully and picking up the broken bigger pieces.How ironic. Broken, just like my heart.During times like these when days tempted me into sadness, i grwe frustrated and angry.And I missed him. More than anything I missed his small smiles, his warm comfort.But I couldn’t stand coming second in his life, not to the dut