Chapter three

I sped down the road recklessly with tears pouring without restraint as I headed to my house, finally heeding Alpha Kai's bidding to go home. There is no way I was going to that prom without the love of my life.

Julian, with my sister? I still can't believe it. My head was blurred in confusion that I escaped being hit by another car, and hitting a truck before I finally got home. I rushed out, meaning to hide away in my room and cry my eyes out but the moment I reached the door and was about to push it open, I overheard my parents bickering and rapidly came to a halt to listen in.

My parents hardly ever quarrelled, which meant this was something serious.

"...you caused it, Kent. If we had told her all this wouldn't have happened. We should have prepared for this!" my mother blared in a shaky tone.

"I was only trying to protect her, Salome. What do you think she would have done when she found out, huh?"

"At least she will know... Now I can't even live with myself knowing we lied to her all this while..." What are they talking about? Lied to who?

"We love her, Salome, that's all that matters. We don't even need to tell her. She is ours for crying out loud. As I said she's just a late bloomer, it means nothing_"

"Or, she is human! Have you considered that too? Don't forget we picked her in the border between_" My heart lurched, my feet swaying at that. Picked, picked who? Me?

Wait, I am not... These are not my real parents? I touched my heart which was starting to pound thunderously in pain.

"...her parents might have been hum_"

I was already running back to the car, not wanting to hear the rest. I was picked. I was picked. That was all that reverberated through my head.

I don't even belong here. Am I human?

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The Chronicles. Homes of the giant Lycanthropes.

Ashton's pov

"All women are the same and there is nothing you can say that would shake my perception of them," I drawled cooly, my eyes pinned calculatingly on my opponent, my legs apart aiming for the perfect time to strike at him.

Williams, my Beta grinned wolfishly and shook his head and deeply I knew he was of the same mindset as me when it came to fencing. Aiming for my head. "For someone who is on the lane to seal the knot with his chosen mate, I will say your sense of humour is quite... ominous." He licked his lips at the same time he reared and attacked.

I leapt to the side, and dodged, whirling in full force to take advantage of his discomposure and spun at him but he was fast to tilt to the side but not fast enough before I gained on him, with my sword keeled on his neck. "Surrender."

His grin broadened, his two hands lifting to let his sword crash to the ground. "You win, sourspot. Spare me the disgrace before the great beauty, your sister." He nodded towards Abigail, my younger sister who was looking all red as though I just cut off his head.

I moved slowly back, rolling my eyes. They must think me a fool if they think I don't see what was going on between them. I dropped my sword and my salutary footman hurried to pick the swords and retire in their shealth. "That was a fair fight I must say. But I noticed you were distracted." I wiped my hands on a napkin as my sister approached. "Could it be because she is here?"

William snorted in denial. "Stop fooling around." I was going to prod him further, however, my sister reached us on time.

"Brother, I must say you have outdone yourself on this one. Well done." She shyly twirled on her feet.

I nodded once, and turned to leave when she said, "Mother said you are to dine with her this morning. It's concerning the finishing touches to the approaching wedding."

"It's not like I'm supposed to be there for such trivial matters. Tell mother I give her permission to indulge in whatever would make the occasion prosperous. I have a meeting to attend."

"I can precede on your behalf, Ashton." William fell into motion beside me and I shook my head.

"I still won't go, so what's the point? It was her idea for this marriage to happen in the first place. I leave it to her to do the planning. Mine is to attend in a suit and after that, put in the heir and that's all. She can as well maintain my bride." I didn't waste time increasing my stride after that, not wanting to engage in the discussion any further.

Everything that has happened to this point has been my mother’s infuriating unsolicited intervention. I had told her I was not willing to wed. Women are not to be trusted and are the least of my worries.

Left to me, I don't mind impregnating one of my mistresses to bear me an heir. But my mother had insisted that was an abomination and prime scandal and had gone ahead to make me propose to my female Delta because according to her, the girl was a formidable force when it comes to defence and would make a good Lunaqueen to the Kingdom.

Every effort I put to make her see reasons with me had proved in vain so now I am leaving her to do as she wanted. At least it would make her stay away from me while I did other things that delighted me.

For instance, visiting my favorite brothel.

Thinking of it now, I already resolved where I was spending my day.

Reaching my room, I ripped my training joggers and vest from me and headed for the bathroom. I was already feeling clammy and needed to feel the chilling water to calm my raging nerves.

It's been a while. Since the engagement ball, I have been restricted in these dull halls doing nothing but fencing, riding and looking at the drab faces of my elders. Today, I am going to see my mistress. I know she will be worried because I'd hardly stayed away this long before going to see her.

Coming out, I went to look through my wardrobe amongst the garbs already arranged for me by my valet. Wrinkling my face, I decided to look casual this morning. I picked a pair of plain jeans and a striped shirt.

It didn't take me long to be fully dressed, thanks to my rapid ability. I looked at myself once in the mirror, shared a conceited smug smile with my image and then turned to leave.

Reaching my garage, as my chauffeur made to run to the car, I reached it before him and shook my head. "I go alone," I said, and jumped in.

Soon, I was speeding out of the long driveway, shutting off every link I have with the pack so no one could contact me throughout ths day. It was my day.

My day of freedom.

I was speeding at such a high speed along the highway that I flung every caution to the wind. Call it one of the Lycan strengths and curses. The speed ability. Sometimes we tend to get so carried away that we forget the safety of others.

I swear I didn't see it. The car crossing to the other side of the road. Hell, I didn't even know I was already at the crossroad. It was too late but then, before I realized it, I had already crashed into the sleek black SUV and it flew up with such force that as I used my power to bring my car to a rapid stop, I knew the occupant of that car was surely going to die.

Holy fuck!

I just killed someone.

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