Asher wondered if he should have asked Rita about the scent he got of his mother.
He was already a far distance from the cottage, moving as fast as he could while navigating his way through the thick, dry woods.
“No, she most likely doesn’t know anything…” He whispered.
From the story Rita told him, she didn’t mention anyone else, though it appeared Roxanne knew something.
The changes Rita also narrated to him, they only proved that his Kate had grown even more. It was impossible for her to have done that, even awakening a Wolf Art, without any proper guidance. From his calculations, it was most likely that his mother was the root cause of Roxanne’s recent awakening.
Asher hadn’t seen Katrina in years, ever since she left the pack so long ago. What was she doing now? And what was she doing around Roxanne? With so many questions bothering him, he rushed further to Roxanne’s residence, praying to meet her there.
“What are you up to… mom?”
“Huu…” Asher heaved as he arrived at the entrance of the hotel. He was a little sweaty from travelling such a long distance in a few hours, while relying on nothing but his normal speed.
Partial transformation would further damage the outfit he wore, and when entering such a prestigious establishment, he needed to be prim and proper.
Still, the sweat wasn’t helping. Even though it was winter, the exertion he placed on his body forced perspiration on his skin. He was in a hurry though, so Asher ignored it and went straight for Roxanne’s room.
“Hey sir, please wait.” One of the receptionists called, but Asher ignored her and went straight for the room he had sensed Roxanne’s presence earlier.
>WHOOSH<
In an instant, he was there. However… to his astonishment, he wasn't sensing anything in his inner wolf. From his heightened senses, he could smell traces of Roxanne in the nearby area, but it was so faint that Asher was certain Roxanne wasn't present.
"Damnit!" He growled, banging slightly on the door.
Was he too late? Has Roxanne already left for wherever she was headed?
"Huff… huff.. Sir, please a moment!" Someone suddenly called for Asher's attention, causing him to glance by his side. And there she was , on the left hand side of the hallway, the receptionist he had slipped past.
She made heavy breaths, clearly stressed out due to the sudden need to climb the flight of stairs while chasing Asher's racing body.
"You… you should learn how to slow down a little…" She wheezed while speaking.
Asher looked at her curiously. Normally, he would have ignored her, and if she had a problem with him, merely using Charm would solve his problems. However… he was sensing something.
Emanating from the receptionist, was Roxanne's scent.
"What's going on here?" He whispered to himself.
"U-um, the lady in that room checked out a some time back."
The receptionist's words confirmed his lingering suspicion. Of course, Asher had already figured that it was something Roxanne would do after her encounter with him, but he had hoped there was still enough time.
"Damnit!" He growled silently.
"She mentioned someone would come looking for her, and he matches your description… s-so, as a special favor, she told me to give this letter to you…" The receptionist stuttered, fumbling as she brought out a white sheet from her pocket.
It was folded neatly, and as Asher saw it with his eyes, he could sense Roxanne from it.
Asher drew closer to the woman, who was clearly smitten by his aloofness, and collected the paper from her. For a brief moment, their hands touched, and this sent an electric feeling through the woman.
Of course, Asher could not care any less, neither did he notice
There were more important things on his mind, like the contents of the letter. Right there and then, he opened the paper and read its contents, refusing to miss any word.
~Asher, I know you're the one reading this. Sigh… I don't know what to say. Even after telling you of my choice, you refuse to respect it. There's something I didn't tell you. Perhaps it was due to the fear that you wouldn't let me go upon hearing it, or my cowardice, not wanting to hurt you with those words.
I have decided to leave Oregon, travel to New York, to further my wrestling career. If I'm successful, I'll be qualified to represent our country internationally in the Rookie section. That's only the beginning.
I won't go further with the details, since I don't want to be insensitive. I know it's a lot to take in, but it's choice I considered very carefully. I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I have to do this.
I have no right to ask you for anything, or even tell you anything about how I feel at the moment, but Asher… you should try living without me, and I'll try doing the same.
I realize it will be hard, but I'll try my best. Please stay away from television for a few months, because if things turn out well, you'll be seeing a lot of me there.
I realize this might be selfish of me, but I want to live my life… and I want to live it well. I also want to protect you, and the people I love. You deserve happiness, and ever since I came into the picture, instability has only occurred.
Forgive me, Asher.
If by fate, we end up meeting once again, I hope it won't be on a sad note.
I love you, but there's just so much more that I have to consider, which is why I have made this decision.
Goodbye, Asher. Please be well.~
Asher read the letter over an over. Due to his quick speed, it took him mere seconds to read the letter nearly ten times.
"No… you idiot…" He whispered, reading it for the final time.
It was unfair!
Asher instantly vanished from where he stood, dashing out of the hotel in a flash.
It was too unfair!
Running across the streets, he sniffed the air for even the faintest scent of Roxanne, but was met with an odd dilemma.
"No, no…" He muttered impatiently.
Her scent had spread throughout the area. It appeared as though she divided herself from where Asher stood, taking several routes.
East. West. North. South.
"She must have done this intentionally!"
With no means of accurately tracking her, Asher was now stranded.
"This is… not fair…" His voice trembled as he spoke.
His hands crumpled the letter he held, dropping his hands powerlessly.
"… You don't get to have the final words… at least listen to what I have to say too…"
With nowhere else to go, looking at the busy street before him, Asher was confused. For the first time in his whole life, he had no idea what he was supposed to do.
Was this really how it would end?
"Ah, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." A voice suddenly sounded, snapping Asher from his gloomy thoughts.
His eyes instantly darted, turning to his side to see the one he least expected.
There she was, the woman shrouded in mystery, appearing youthful despite her aged nature. Her eyes twinkled, and a knowing smile appears on her face.
Katrina was side by side with Asher, both looking at each other, refusing to budge a single inch.
"M-mom…?!"