CHAPTER 5

Ash POV

There are a few times I have messed up and as I look at the face of the wolf that saved me I know that compared to all the times I have messed up, this one tops the list. His bland expression turns into something scary and I instinctively take a step back.

“Ah ahhh, I don’t think we have introduced ourselves. I am Damian.” One of the twins says, they have the same face except Damian's hair is longer. “That’s Damon,” Damon has a scowl on his face as he glares at me. “And that is our Alpha…”

“Caspian,” he says and throws his face away.

I already know this, I slept with his voice in my ears and his name on my lips. There is no way I can forget it so easily. “I am Ashton and I am sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It is just something I heard.”

He scoffs, “No matter. I don’t expect a member of the Grand Crescent Pack to think highly of us.” He still doesn’t look at me as he speaks.

“Ex-member,” I mumble but not loud enough for anyone to hear.

Damon stands to his feet and arches his head towards the door. Damian looks at Caspian with a confused look as he realizes what his brother meant. “We-we can’t leave her here. What if the Crimson blood pack returns?”

I feel intense cold as I realize the situation I am in. Of course, I do not expect them to protect me, not after what I just said about their pack, I didn't even want to join them. I open my mouth to say something but quickly close it. I don’t have anything to say.

I can’t join their pack and I can’t ask them to watch over me even if it was just for the night. Besides, they are as much strangers to me as Tyler is, who is to say they are better strangers? Just because they rescued me didn’t mean squat.

“You two leave, I will stay.”

“Huh?” Damon yells. “Why and for how long?”

Caspian glares at him.

“I am sorry that was out of line.”

“Leave,” Caspian orders.

“No, we will stay with you,” Damon responded.

Caspian sighs, “It is bad enough that I am not there but leaving the entire pack in Vi’s hands will be a little overwhelming for her. You lot will be of better help to her than you will be to me, so leave and this is an order.”

“W-what if the Crimson squad returns?” Damian asks.

“Damian, I know you are just worried but the fact that you think I won’t be able to handle a few Crimson weaklings is a little insulting.”

“I am sorry,” he apologizes and bends his head.

“Don’t sweat it besides, I don’t think they will return.” 

“You can’t be too sure, Alpha. Tyler had the look of a sneaky brat. Besides, if you are so sure they won’t return, you won’t stay behind.” Damon adds and puts his hands in his pockets.

“It is creepy when you show concern for me, Damon.”

Damon scoffs and walks out the front door. Damian slowly rises to his feet. “It was nice to meet you um…” He pauses and blinks as he realizes he doesn’t know my name. His look of confusion is a little adorable.

“Ashton,” I say.

“Ashton,” he repeats. “Be careful.”

“Thank you.”

“Alpha, please don’t be reckless and if things do get out of hand, don’t hesitate to call us.”

“Shoo,” Caspian replies with a wave of his hands. Damian smiles faintly and starts walking toward the front door. “Tell Vi I will be away for a couple of days. I leave the pack in her hands.”

I wonder who Vi is, she sounds pretty important. Is she his head beta? It isn’t unusual for female wolves to be head-betas but it is extremely rare. Also, it is a position they can’t hold for long due to various circumstances.

Damian nods and turns the knob. He closes the door with a soft thud. The sound of the lock clicking in place echoes in the living room and I instantly realize I am all alone with a man in the middle of nowhere. 

“Don’t be so tense. It is your house. Besides, you can pretend I am not here.” He stands to his feet and heads in the direction of the kitchen.

I don’t know what to do so I remain standing. I want to go after him and apologize for what I said but I know he doesn't want to hear it. I walk to the couch and take a seat.

The living room is exactly as I remember it, nothing has changed. The couch is arranged in the same manner, I remember it. The chandelier is still a little lopsided and the television set hasn't changed.

The same silver drapes that match the gray painting on the walls still hang on the window rods. Broken glasses pooled in front of a window, on the drapes, and the table next to it. I know I have to clean it up before it injures someone.

The night light pours in through the broken window and I stare at the moon for a couple of seconds. Like every wolf, I can feel her call. I stand up and head to the kitchen. I need to get to the broom closet which is located in the kitchen. I push open the door and I see Caspian standing in front of the open refrigerator.

He slowly turns to look at me and I freeze up, his gaze is intense. “The refrigerator is stocked. There should be enough food for at least a month,” he says.

“A month?” My eyes open wide. 

Why is there enough food for a month? Nobody has been here since my parents died. If Nathan did I am sure he would have mentioned it to me. 

“Are you sure?” I ask and walk closer.

“See for yourself,” he steps away so I can take a look.

He holds it open and I walk closer, going around his back so that I can see the inside of the refrigerator. I  stand about two feet away from him as I stare into the refrigerator.

My mouth opens slightly at the sight in front of me. He is right, it is stocked. From the top to the bottom. I can only think of one person who could do this but the question is why. Was this for himself or did he know I would come here? I know I will not like any of the answers.

I nod my head and step away. This should be good, right? I don’t have money and now don’t have to worry about food but I can’t help the fear that creeps into my heart at the fact that something is very wrong.

“T-That is good, I don’t have to worry about what to eat.” I can feel the blood drain from my face.

He looks at me with worry on his face. He is quite handsome with black hair and gray eyes. There is a diagonal scar over his left eyebrow. I wonder how he could have gotten it, werewolves don’t scar easily. It must have been very deep for it to have left a mark.

“Are you okay?” He asks softly.

“Yes,” I force a smile and start to walk away. I don’t make it far before I stagger. He closes the refrigerator and is by my side in a second but he doesn’t touch me.

“You are not. Have you eaten today?”

My thoughts churn as I try to remember. I was supposed to eat after the meeting but I did not. Did not; makes it sound like a choice, however, I know if I was offered food at the time I would not have been able to eat it.

I slowly shake my head and I see his frown deepen.

“Are you kidding?” He sounds exasperated. “Let me help you to bed, I will prepare something for you to eat.”

He stretches out his hand to touch me and I move backward. “I can walk,” I say and I watch him shrink.

“Of course,” he says stiffly, his expression bland. The look of worry disappeared.

“Also, you don’t have to cook for me. I can just eat some cereal.”

I watch his eyes darken, “Of course.”

His robotic response is annoying but he is a stranger and pretending he isn’t, isn’t going to help me. I knew Conall and he still betrayed me and possibly Nathan. Trusting anybody is at my own risk. I have only myself.

I walk slowly but purposefully to the shelves. I hope Nathan remembered to buy my favorite cereals if he is the one who stocked up, he would have. I feel my heart squeeze a little.

A huge part of me still hopes that this is just a coincidence or that there is a logical explanation, I just did not know what it is. I bite the inside of my cheeks as I stand on my tippy-toes to open the top cupboards. 

Sure enough, my favorite cereal stands tall behind all the others. I realize two things; it is indeed my brother who did this, and two; I can’t reach the cereals.