“That night, I have another dream –well nightmare, of the entity with red eyes and like every dream of it I’ve had, it is always going after me. This dream was slightly different from the rest though. In the other two dreams, I was always in the woods that looked similar to the one outside the pack settlement, but this time, it was inside the pack. I knew this because this dream happened outside the residence of the alpha/luna. For some reason, it bothered me so much that the location had changed.When I startle awake from the dream, I spent the next hours staring out the window, feeling uneasy for some reason that I did not know. That is how the morning finds me, sitting in a chair, staring at a dot in the window. What weighs heavily on my mind isn’t just the nightmare I just had, but also my encounter with Ramsey last night.There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye that didn’t sit well with me. As he spoke about Asher, I got the feeling he was taunting me, like he knew something t
“What?” Asher says, as his brows dip in confusion. “What do you mean?” “It is just as I said, Asher.” Muriel replies, a smug smile on his face. Ares steps forward “That is your alpha, show him some respect!” “Is he really an alpha?” Ares rushes at Muriel but is stopped by Asher. “That’s enough, Ares. Let him be.” With one last angry look at Muriel (who doesn’t look bothered), Ares goes back to standing behind Asher.“Where was I? Right, this is an impromptu trial of you, Asher for the poisoning and death of our beloved alpha, Derek. Since the matter was a serious one, the council of elders agreed that you be brought in for a trial immediately.” “What council? I fired you all weeks ago.” “Since you are a suspected criminal, the decrees you made while you were alpha will not stand and so the council of elders are back in their positions.” Asher stands. “You keep on calling me a criminal and a murderer. Now you refer to me as alpha in a past tense.” Muriel shoots Asher a huge smile. “We
“Wolf Python?” Muriel asks in shock. “Yes, this was the poison used to kill my brother, this was the murder weapon used by Asher to kill him.” Ramsey digs out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, unfolds it and holds it up. “This is a blood test report conducted with my brother’s blood. High amounts of wolf python was found in his blood.”The report gets passed around as I can do nothing but watch and bite my nails nervously. No, that’s not right, you can do something, you can walk out there and tell them the truth and take the heat for him. Could I do that? Was I ready to give it all up for him?“What have you to say for yourself, Asher?” Muriel asks. “Anyone could have entered my room and put that vial there, what really makes it so certain I killed the alpha?” Asher replies calmly. That makes them pause, I’m starting to think that we might have a chance at this when Ramsey speaks again. “If the blood test and vial doesn’t make it certain, then how do you explain the strange ord
“What the hell is going on, Alexa? What do they mean Alpha Asher murdered the previous alpha, his best friend!” Hope screams with her red rimmed eyes. “Oh, you’ve heard.” “Of course I’ve heard! The whole pack has heard! Alpha Asher was just paraded like a criminal, and for murder, no less!” “Maybe you shouldn’t call him alpha out loud.” Hope and I turn to face Kylan who just walked into the house. “He did nothing wrong!” “I know, but you could get in trouble for that. There’s no sense in getting you both in trouble.” “You’re right.” She concedes.“Wait, you both think he did nothing wrong?” I ask in surprise. “Of course he didn’t. I’m a good judge of character and I know that for sure.” Hope states emphatically while Kylan nods in agreement. “The rest of the pack though, they don’t feel the same way though.” “They didn’t take it well?” I wince. “Let’s just say, it took a lot to protect him from the angry crowd.”I couldn’t believe how…undependable the people of this pack could be. Ash
I was out of ideas on what to do to get Asher out of the prison he was in. Going to Ramsey was a mistake, I shouldn’t have even thought about it, but I was desperate, and desperate people do stupid things. Two long, hard weeks had already passed since Asher was put in prison for the death of Derek, and it was hard knowing he was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, but it was harder knowing that it was my fault he was in this position in the first place.“Alexa.” I shake the thoughts out of my head and turn to face the grim looking Ares, watching as he walks to me. “How is he?” I ask, concern for Asher filling my voice. “He is as fine as he can be for someone in that position.” “You sound…mad.” I say, picking up on the tone of his voice. Ares sighs. “I just don’t understand why he doesn’t just reveal what you to found out! There is evidence of the Luna’s guilt. He doesn’t need to suffer this way.” “Maybe he just wants to protect someone.” I reply quietly. Ares’ face is a mask of frust
Ramsey didn’t waste any time with the coronation. He just instructed the elders to call for a pack gathering the next day. For the very first time, Liana and Dorothea heard about the elders appointing Ramsey as the new alpha. “We are gathered here today to announce that the council of elders has appointed a new alpha of the pack. After careful deliberations, the council has decided to appoint Ramsey Carson as your new alpha.” Muriel announced, his voice lacking the usual liveliness it always had when he was making announcements.Liana looked like she was going to be sick and Dorothea shook her head sadly. There was confused chatter from everyone in the hall. “Please understand, we cannot keep the seat of the alpha vacant for too long. It would spell danger for the pack.” Muriel said, trying and failing to clear the confusion at the hasty decision.“The elders mean well by this decision.” The noise dies down at the sound of Ramsey’s voice. “There are threats to this pack brought on by
“You wanted to see me, Alexa?” Ares says when he meets me behind the residence of the alpha and luna. “Yes. I need your help with something.” “What is it?” “I have a plan, a way to get Asher out of prison. I am going to reveal the truth about Derek’s death.” “Isn’t that dangerous?” “We have no other choice. And if we can get Asher released, Ramsey would have to step down from being the alpha. The people would prefer an alpha accepted by the moon goddess, they’ll be on his side.” Ares nods in agreement. “But if you reveal everything, wouldn’t that put you in danger?” “I’ll find a way around that.” “Okay, what do you need help with?” “I need you to find a way to get the entire pack gathered at the general hall, I’m going to reveal everything there. Can you do that?” Ares nods again. “I can find a way. When?” “I’ll let you know later. Oh, and Ares? Asher cannot find out what I’m doing.” “Of course.”“Are you sure about this?” Ida asks. “We have no choice, Ida but to reveal the truth.” “W
“Wh…what are you saying Alexa? That’s ridiculous! I never touched that vial, I’ve never even seen it before!” Liana’s voice is shaky. “I didn’t kill him, believe me!” She screams hysterically, eyes wide as she looks around the hall, pleading for people to believe her. “This is a serious accusation, and it is against the Luna, as well. You better have proof to back your claims.” Muriel hisses at me. “I found this vial myself in the room of the Luna, and after the doctor told me that is was a deadly poison, I sent this vial to be tested for any traces –human or wolf. As you are aware, there are places that conduct tests like this to find traces of human and wolf. This is the result of their testing.” I hand the test result to Muriel who eyes it suspiciously. When he sees the name of the testing centre, his brows shoot up in surprise.“Alexa, look at me.” Asher says, but I don’t turn to him, I pretend I don’t hear him calling me and keep my back turned to him. He knows I’m about to do so
It takes some time for me to get to my senses, pull myself up and off from the ground and start looking for a way to fix this mess. Ramsey had not locked me back into the suite, probably assuming that I was going to curl up into a ball and cry myself to sleep. He was dead wrong. Ramsey had given Ryder the opportunity to ask for anything from me, he had sensed that I was willing to do anything. It made no sense that Ryder asked for Hope. Ryder wasn’t a gentleman, he was a brute so he didn’t need to ask me for her when he could take her by force. Ryder was playing with me.The first place I go to from the office is the hidden room I set up. It is empty and looks clean, so I guess Asher heard what happened and got out but I have no idea where he is. I grab what I need from the hidden room and head for Jessa and Hope’s house. The rogue guards watch me leave the residence of the alpha, they don’t try to stop me but I’m sure they’ll send someone to follow me. I didn’t care, as far as they l
“Ryder!” I bang my fists against the locked door of the alpha’s suite. I had been locked in the suite for almost a week now, and I was so sick and tired of being locked in here as if I was a common criminal. “Ryder!” I try again but he just ignores me. I know he’s out there, standing guard until he fully recovered from the bashing he received from Ida. “What is Ramsey up to? What is he doing?” No answer. “Hey! Stop ignoring me and let me out of here! I need to talk to him.”My fists were already burning from the force I was using to bang on the door so I decided it was probably best that I take a break. I slid down the door as my thoughts went back to Hope. Two days had already passed since she first came to see me and I still had no idea about what to do to convince Ramsey to let Kylan go. Did it mean I was giving up? No, there was no way I was going to let Hope’s baby grow up without a father. But there was also no way I was going to give up Asher’s location or reject him. I was stu
“Kylan, no!” I scream just as he brings down the silver club on Ramsey’s head. The intention to kill Ramsey is so clear in Kylan’s eyes. For a moment, time slows down as Kylan brings the club down and then it happens so fast that for a split second, I don’t understand what happens. The club connects but not on Ramsey’s head and then Kylan is pushed so hard that he collides into a tree that breaks into two from the impact. That is how hard he was pushed.My mouth is wide open in shock as I take in the scene before me. Ryder stands over Ramsey, with blood pouring down his arm with the look of murder on his face. Where on earth did he come from? I realize that he blocked the blow meant for Ramsey’s head with his hand and then shoved Kylan away like he was swatting away a fly.“Alpha, are you okay?” Ryder helps Ramsey up to his feet, he staggers a bit before standing still and wiping the blood dripping down his head. Ramsey shakes off Ryder’s hand and points to Kylan who is still trying t
I am trying so hard to rein Ida in but she’s too strong for me to suppress. She stands there growling at a rage filled Ramsey, ready to do anything to protect me and my oath to our mate. “Ida, don’t provoke him! He might hurt you!” What was I saying? Ramsey had already found out that I didn’t reject Asher and that was provoking enough for him. He practically vibrated with anger as he stood across from me.“I want to speak to Alexa, bring her to me now!” He finally explodes and charges at Ida, eyes dark with rage. My best bet and the only way I could get out of this situation with little or no injuries would be to let Ida take full control, I had to stop holding her back. Ida dodges Ramsey’s first attack and I decide to let her handle this, I was out of options.Ramsey’s eyes change to the colour of his wolf –a creepy red colour, as he watches me shift into my wolf. Ida bares her razor sharp teeth at him and stands ready for whatever he was going to throw at us. “Is this how you want i
“Are you okay?” “I’m fine, why are you asking?” “Nothing, you just seem a bit…” “Tired?” I supply. It was hard for me to hide anything from Asher, especially now that we were mates. He knew me and he saw things that I thought I had hidden well. After Ramsey’s declaration of a second wedding night, I had searched for a solution but found none and the weekend started tomorrow. I had ended up giving myself a headache and I looked even worse than before. I had given up on finding a solution and decided to come see Asher. We were cuddling on the small bed in the room as he lazily stroked my back.I thought I had hidden my worry about the situation I was in well from him, but he just saw right through it. “Yeah, you look tired but that wasn’t what I was going to say. Are you sure everything is okay?” Asher says with a frown on his face as he tilts my face to his. I had to think of something fast or he was going to find out about the wedding night, and there wasn’t anything I could do to sto
“Where were you, Alexa?” Ramsey says again and walks slowly towards me, like a lion stalking its prey. “I couldn’t sleep so I went for a walk.” When did I become so anxious at the sight of Ramsey? No, this wasn’t a new thing, he always gave me a bad feeling whenever I saw him, but these days, especially since the day he killed those innocent people, the sight of him made my skin crawl even more. “I know I haven’t been so attentive to you these days and I’m sorry, you’ll have me all to yourself this weekend.” “What does that mean?” Ramsey nods to a seat in the room.When I finally settle down, he continues. “We haven’t had our wedding night yet, Alexa. It makes it feel like something is missing from our marriage.” I try not to shake his hand off of me when he starts to stroke my hair. “We need this wedding night to bond us, to bring us closer. The pack needs an alpha and a luna, you know.” “Who told you that we needed a wedding night to be close?” “Alexa, we are married.” “So?” “So, I
Choosing Asher was the best decision I made in those tense moments. “I’m so glad you’re safe. Thank you for being safe.” I manage to say around the tears clogging my throat. “I promised you, didn’t I?” Asher replies with a small smile on his face. My smile is so huge as I run my hand through his shoulder length hair. “You need a haircut.” “Later.” “Why not now?” “Later.” He says again. “Asher you-“His lips press on mine, cutting off whatever I was going to say. “I missed you. So much.” He murmurs against my lips.My arms go around his neck as he deepens the kiss, pulling me closer to him by wrapping his strong arms around my waist. I missed those arms around me so much. My hands make a trail from around his neck, down his chest and slip under his shirt to feel those hard muscles. I moan when my fingers connect to them and decide that this isn’t enough, I want skin on skin. Asher stops me when I fiddle with his buttons and I am about to protest when he rips the shirt off himself, scatt
I haven’t been able to sleep for the past three days. When night comes, all I do is toss and turn in my bed. The few times I’ve been able to sleep, my dreams are filled with images of Henry the guard-wolf, looking at me with sad eyes while blood pours from the hole in his stomach. Other times, it is Evan’s son lying on the ground, his eyes open, looking at me while vultures feast on him. Some days, I see Asher running towards me but he is caught and killed by Ramsey, the same way he killed Henry, and I wake up in my bed soaked with sweat, like someone emptied a bucket of water while I was sleeping.The only good thing that happens during these three days is that Ramsey doesn’t try to share the room with me. A part of me is glad but the other part of me is worried about what he must be up to next. There’s no way he’d listen to me and give me space.Five days later, I look worse than I have ever and I’ve stopped coming out of my room. I don’t hear from either Ares or Kylan and that make
“Where? Where is he?” Kylan hands me a note. I take it from him and stare at it. “Alexa, you should read that.” I nod. “Come in.” I shut the door behind him and open the folded paper he gave me. I recognize Sue’s delicate handwriting.“How are you doing Alexa? I hope you are holding on? I just received word from Valor that he has found your mate. As I write this, they are on their way back to here. Valor didn’t say much but Asher is fine, he’s okay so you can stop worrying about him. As for Liana, there’s been no new news on our end but we won’t stop looking. I know we are close and we’ll soon find her. I wish you strength always. Love, Sue.”After reading the note, a sigh of relief pushes past my lips and I feel my mood lift. Asher was okay, he was still alive. “Now what, Alexa?” Kylan asks. “Honestly? I don’t know. We are sitting ducks without Liana’s testimony. The other packs won’t be willing to help us without Liana saying anything. She’s the most important part of our plan.” “Ho