AriezelSlowly I pushed myself off from him, embracing the cold feeling in contrast to his warmth and comfort. I needed none of that today.My knees hurt from the collision I had earlier, so it hurt even more to stand. It didn't matter to me though. I slowly made myself stand up.Looking down, he remained in the same position as before, not bothering to look up at me.I swallowed at the sight. Although from my position I couldn't fully see his expression, I could tell from his downturned shoulders and his posture alone, that he wasn't taking it okay.What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't have left him while he was in this state. I knew that was the last thing I would ever do.I took a step closer, reaching out to touch him. But I halted on the way, merely an inch away from his skin.Was it alright for me to do this? I didn't know whether I could comfort him, especially after he had done the same to me only moments ago. It should have been a simple thing to do, but it felt like th
AriezelA rush came over me at hearing her title.I had never met a pack priestess before. I had heard of them of course, though only in passing through the maids in my former pack. Bother my father nor Derek ever addressed them, though there were little reasons for them to in the first place.Talented in the magic and witchcraft and connected to the forces of nature, including the moon, they were probably one if the most powerful yet elusive people.In my pack there is was none, only spoken about through rumors-hence my knowledge of them- but they existed in few packs, one of which included Asher's pack.I remembered Asher speaking of the Pack Priestess being the one to break the bond, but never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought of encountering her. Especially not like this.I looked at her, still stunned. I was sure my mouth gaped. She simply smiled at me in return.“I think it was time I had a visitor. Come in.” she turned towards the door.I blinked back to reality. On reflex
AsherWhen I left Ariezel in that hall, I didn't leave with hope or sorrow. No.I left there broken, filled with rage and bearing a thirst for vengeance for the things Serena had done. For the things I ignorantly let happen.Damn it. Damn it all. How stupid was I to have let it fly for so long?The moment she had collapsed, I knew what was coming next. The panic, the harsh breathing, all things I had to recover from on my own after a harsh nightmare years ago. The only person who knew of them was Ambrose, who had accidentally encountered me in my room in the midst of them.He had told nobody of it, never mentioning it right after. It was one of the things that brought us to a trust after the initial master-servant dynamic we had from the moment I made him my personal assistant. The trust.Ariezel never knew about them. It was practically impossible. Her presence alone soothed me so I never had nightmares. It was the other way around with me having to comfort her, bit I couldn't say tha
AriezelIt had only been a few days, but it felt like this event was one worth waiting for.As promised, the public Mating Ceremony between Alys and Ambrose was finally here.Harriet had taken me shopping -Wearing new clothes for this ceremony is a must. Although Alys couldn't join us, the moment was far from lonely. In the end I had gotten a simple black dress with sleeves. It was a simpler dress than Harriet preferred, but I loved it all the same. It was something that was my choice.Choice…I remembered everything the High priestess had told me all those days ago. Then, unable to make a choice, I had told her my one honest truth.Flashback“I don't know." I looked up to her. Her smile was gone and I was faced with a peaceful neutral expression. She watched me patiently, and with the feeling of comfort I looked down.“Do not worry, child."I looked up in surprise to meet her eyes. Even with their innate unnatural nature I wasn't frightened at all.“In time. Everything will come to
AsherMy heart might as well have been bursting with happiness at that moment.I hadn't expected this. Not after the last encounter we had had. After seeing her so heartbroken in tears I was resolute on one thing. If I was the reason why she hurt, then I would give her the space she needed.She couldn't trust me as it was, so I was prepared to take my time and take better care. I was going to take it slowly and not be as pushy as before.But then she came to me and said those words, and I thanked the moon goddess right then and there.Now I stood with her, I still couldn't believe it.“What happened? Between the last few days I mean? What changed your mind?" It was impossible for me to not ask those questions. And now most of all. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused her to quickly shift, to decide to trust me.Yet at the same time I wondered if asking her was the right thing for me to do. a part of me was antsy, afraid of scaring her off with a single question. I didn't want
AriezelIt felt like everything had changed, and perhaps it had.It was akin to the dawn of a new sunny day after moments of storms and clouds with the occasional warmth. It was drifting in limbo, only to finally find what Ive been looking for. It was like the days I spent, tired in the woods as I drifted off from place to place, too unsure of where I was going no matter how long I walked, only for me to wake up the next day and find him. The man who I couldn't have known was going to become my home then, body hurting with old and fresh scars and mind full of desperation and the relief of escape.Now things were different. There had been far too many tribulations we both went through. And now that I had accepted back into my life, it felt like I was breathing new air, finally letting go.When I told Harriet back in the cottage, she hugged me so hard I thought I just might burst. As she separated from me, her face was bursting with happiness.“I'm so happy for you." She said.We had ce
AriezelIt had taken a few days to adjust to everything else. Like trees which were once turbulent suddenly becoming still, it was very unsettling to adjust to. I met Alys by accident, bumping into her on my way out. She looked…well loved to say the least.I revealed everything to her that night, especially my decision to start over again. To my surprise, Alys didn't make a fuss or argue, just as she had promised the last time. Rather, she only rolled her eyes.“Really, I would have preferred you to take some more time to think about it, but," she trailed off for a moment, shaking her head before smiling up at me. It was a heartwarming smile that made me feel safe.“The way you looked at my wedding was enough to tell me that you were sure about whatever decision you made. And Asher or not? I'll stand by you." She said,Looking up at her at the moment I stared in wonder. What had made her change in a few days?I asked her the same question, boggling my mind only for her to laugh in tu
AriezelPanic slipped through me as soon as I processed it.“Asher, what are you doing?" I whispered, trying to make him stand back up, but he didn't budge.‘What's going on?’ alarm bells rang in my mind as I flit between his face and the crowd. It wasn't until he finally got my attention, gripping my hand to stop me gently that I looked at him.His gaze was assuring and sift, encouraging me to silence. Facing them, I knew I had no choice but to let my arms slip away. The moment I did he relaxed, giving me a small smile.‘Everything's going to be alright.’ he seemed to say.Then he turned back to the crowd, abd I remained dumbstruck, watching as he finally spoke.“Everyone must be surprised to see me in this stage, kneeling in front of all of you. But the truth is that this is where I ought to be. At this moment, I believe this whole pack deserves an apology."“Serena abd my bond was nothing but an alliance, one needed for the mutual safety and well being of this pack. So focused on t
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