AriezelWe stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Asher was the first to break the stare.He cleared his throat, Looking down awkwardly.“What are you doing outside?” he asked. His back was against the wall whilst he stared at the window.‘Looking for you’ I thought to reply. But that was too forward, and remembering the words he said in the garden, I couldn't find it in myself to say it.Instead, I shrugged in response, looking away from him to face the window.“I needed the fresh air.” I said, doing my best to ignore the proximity between the both of us. While far from touching, the distance was tempting. I could reach out-I halted those thoughts, shutting down the cries of my wolf.“Your bodyguard didn't notice?” he asked.I let out a small huff once I realised what he meant “Alys ” I emphasized “and the rest are still celebrating. I think they are pretty tipsy, perhaps they'll be unable to go home tonight.”“My doors are always open.” I snapped my eyes towards him
Asher“I forgive you.”From the moment she said those words, my heart lifted.The smile she gave right after was all I needed to feel a burst of longing. It never went away, but thanks to her at the moment, it had multiplied past my boundaries.I wanted to take her into my arms at that moment. I was so, so glad that she had given me a second chance. A chance to prove myself and my love for her.I moved forward, ready to hold her in my arms. I knew it was too forward to think about, but at this moment, I hadn't cared any less. Exhilaration and joy filled me like a drug, taking over mo from within.“I loved her.”I loved AriezelAnd I was going to make it all up to her, even if it was using the last breath I had in me.When I tried to hold her, however, I was surprised to see her hold her hand out to stop- although in hindsight, I shouldn't have been any less shocked. But what truly shook me to the core were the words she said right after.Her words smashed through the hope I had, leavi
AriezelWaking up to a new day felt somewhat different.My head ached slightly, making me groan and turn further into the sheets.Slowly my eyes slipped open, meeting the bright light.I was back in my room. Although remembering how I got back was more difficult, I clearly remembered what happened before that.Blood rushed through my cheeks at the thought. He had asked me if he could pursue me and try courting me again and I said yes.I buried my head into my palms once, shutting my eyes to reality.After everything, I had stopped him and held back. Although I wasn't set on leaving, I couldn't fall back into his arms happily. I hoped that through friendship, I could survive with him. I could be co tent with it, loving him but not being with him.But just like always, he turned my world upside down.His denial was one thing, but at the crucial moment when I could have refused, I should have refused, I didn't.Looking at his eyes which though the atmosphere was dark, still managed to sh
AriezelI held the note in my hands carefully, still reeling from the realization.Looking at them, a sense of joy came to me. But along with it was trepidation.I swallowed the lump in my throat. Looking at the flowers, conflict rose in my mind on what to do with them. I could keep them and maintain them like I had done with all the rest, but if I did that, wouldn't I be accepting him?Goddess, this was so difficult.In the end I shook my head, keeping the note in along with carrying the small flowerpot. It was merely a bunch of flowers and nothing more. There was no hidden meaning behind it and neither would there be meaning if I accepted it. It wasn't a courting gift after all.I continuously reminded myself of that, ignoring the heat that grew warmer in my cheeks as I stepped back into my home, flowerpot and card in hand. Whatever Asher had given me meant nothing.By the time the sun had wanted in the noon sky, that was the moment I finally heard one of the doors open.Looking ov
AriezelEven distantly, I felt the pack buzzing with excitement as the announcement of the new beta spread. Everyone spoke with awe at the event, which was scheduled for the next day.As Harriet and I came home together, we sighed in relief.“It feels strange that we knew about it already." Harriet said, letting out a small chuckle.I smiled in turn. Strange indeed.So far, I hadn't crossed paths with Asher. The sole daily reminder of his words and promise was the flowers, which I always managed to take and keep in the privacy of my room before they could be seen.I couldn't fully understand the reason why I was still accepting them, despite my newfound resolve days ago. I could have easily told Harriet or better, Alys. If I told Alys about I'm I had no doubt that when she went to the pack house again, she wouldn't hesitate to tell Asher off to stop sending flowers. Maybe then he would have stopped sending me flowers and that would be the end of it.But I held my tongue still, and cou
AriezelWhen we all woke up, we began getting ready for the ceremony held at the pack house.We weren’t in a rush as of yet, I, however, was panicking slightly. And it all started from the moment Alys and Harriet showed me their outfits.When they had spoken of the ceremony I thought it was a simple affair like all the announcements so far. In my former pack, we had had the affair during the Mourning period, so there was no festival. Shock filled me when they spoke more in depth as they showed me their outfit.Whilst I was determined to go to celebrate, I had not accounted for what I was going to wear.This was where the problems started.Alys and Harriet looked for clothes that would fit me, but it was all in waste. Both of them weren’t near my size, with Alys’ clothes being an overflow and Harriets far too short and tight. In the end, they perused my closet.“There has to be something.” Alys said, flipping through my wardrobe whilst I paced. I silently berated myself for not prepari
I froze as I gazed at her, her silvery green eyes taunting me.She wore a red sequin gown. How ironic, as it was in complete contrast to mine. Red and green, how ironic.“Must I say, green really isn’t your color.” She took a step forward and I couldn’t help but flinch. Her past wrongdoings to me still flashed in my mind.Unfortunately, I knew I had taken the wrong step as her lips curled into an obviously smug smile. By giving a reaction, I had let her know that she had affected me.“But it doesn’t matter, does it? No matter how much you primp up, a beggar will still be a beggar. In the end, your bond will remain broken and you'll have to go off on your own.” She tutted.Confusion hit me at her words before the realization hit. It seemed like she was still under the belief that Ahser was still responsible for breaking the bond. Even more, it seemed like she didn’t know about our reconciliation or Asher’s pursuit of me.Had Asher not told her anything? I forced my face to be neutral t
Ariezel was beautiful.I knew it from the moment I found her unconscious in the forest, though then I dared not notice. I knew it through every smile, every kiss.But the moment she came into view in the hallway, in that green dress, I was sure I couldn’t breathe anymore. She was everything I wanted. And even during the Beta ceremony, I couldn’t keep my eyes on her for long. It traveled through till the moment I watched her leave the place. Worry had shed in my heart then, wondering if I had crossed the line and gone too far.Now though, at this moment when her soulful blue eyes met mine, I couldn't say a word.Even from afar, the dress she wore framed her shape and curves perfectly.The worst part of it all was that despite all the looks of admiration she was given, she seemed utterly oblivious to it all. Time and time again I could partially feel the stares she was given. My wolf was growling deep inside me to lash out at anybody who dared to look at her.‘You lost that right’ I re
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