Myriads of thoughts swept through Asher’s head. As much as he didn’t want to believe it, that was the only reasonable and logical conclusion.
“The culprit… he’s one of us…” He mumbled.
Katrina nodded, hearing what he said. She too was not certain of everything. After all, there was only so much she could see. However, a matter of this degree could have only been woven by one who had a deep connection to the pack, and some sort of relationship with Asher.
Slowly, they were connecting the dots.
“And that’s why I approached Roxanne first. As one of the two sides of the coin, I had to directly interfere with her in order slightly alter the course of the future.” Katrina stated, returning back to the topic.
The mere mention of Roxanne’s name caused Asher to snap out of his thoughts and look his mother in the eye. She gave a knowing grin, once again confirming the deep rooted attachment he had to the girl.
“Why did you involve her? You could have-” He wanted to speak, a little bit of anger was swelling from within him.
“I could have what? Involved you instead? Asher, you and I both know things aren’t as simple as that.” Katrina interrupted him.
Her stern gaze proved she was more than serious, causing him to back down. He gave short sigh and realized he had been too forward.
“You’re a much harder man to reach than her. Besides, even though both of you are stubborn, I would much rather take my chances with someone I can read and control to an extent.” Katrina stated.
“Control? That was your reason?”
Despite her poor choice of words, Katrina only had the best of intentions.
“The pack needs your attention, Asher. Now more than ever. After seeing such a disturbing future, did you really think I would interfere with you, the corner piece of the pack, and it’s trump card?”
Asher gritted his teeth, but knew his mother was right. Somehow, every time things ended badly, he was not around or out of the loop. There was no way he would allow the entire werewolf community in Oregon Woods to suffer destruction. If such a future existed… it would mean that Asher wasn’t present!
“Someone planned this… intentionally ensuring I am away from the Pack. This entire saga with Roxanne started after she left on that night… and then my scandal with Camilla. Even the Council’s sudden impatience with me concerning a mate and Klaus’ return… if we’re right, then that means I should be in the Pack right now!” He thought aloud.
Katrina nodded, looking at her child earnestly. Asher slowly began to understand his mother’s actions. Despite the reservations he had about her, she still had the Werewolf community’s best interest at heart.
“But… I can’t leave now. Not without Roxanne!” Asher whispered, stubbornly clinging to his ideals.
He looked away, facing the snowy ground. Feelings of anger whirled within him. The one who was controlling things behind the scenes, ensuring things became such a mess… the moment he caught the culprit, Asher was going to tear them apart.
The aura he emitted melted the white frost around him, turning them into water.
Katrina stared hard at her child, already guessing what was going on in his head. Asher was an obsessive man, with a deep well of emotions within him. To those he loved, he showed compassion and mercy… to those he hated, there was nothing but vengeance!
However, as much as he wanted to find Roxanne and catch the culprit, Katrina was sure he couldn’t do both.
“Asher-” She spoke.
“I know what you want to say. I can’t do both. I would have to abandon searching for Roxanne, or returning to the Pack and stabilize things…” Asher cut in, tightening his grip impatiently.
Still, he couldn’t make a choice. Of course, he loved his people, his sister, his best friend… there was no way he wished for any I’ll to befall them.
However, he just couldn’t make himself abandon his mate.
“Heh, I suppose I sort of understand how you felt when you left the pack. To everyone, including me, you abandoned us. But, you found something else outside, didn’t you? Something worth leaving the entire Oregon community for…” Asher turned to his mother.
Katrina couldn’t argue with his words. Yet, she wasn’t going to allow him to make the same choice. If he searched earnestly, Asher was sure to eventually find Roxanne. But, the bigger issue was what would come next.
“Then what? You force her back with you to the pack?” Katrina asked
“If necessary!” He snapped.
As soon as he said that, Asher controlled himself, realizing what he had reverted to. The expression of Roxanne’s scowl, as well as what expression she would make of he chose that route flashed through his mind.
He wasn’t so sure he would be able to do it.
“She’ll never forgive you. She’ll always wonder what would have happened if had gotten what she wanted. Every day, her mind will travel to a world where you never interfered.” Katrina whispered, drawing closer to Asher, who sat in a confused and downcast fashion.
“… Are you sure that’s the kind of life you want for her?”
Slowly, after internalizing Katrina’s words, Asher turned to his side, now inches apart from his mother’s face. Her expression was that of concern. She didn’t want him to make a mistake he would regret. Unable to bear the look in her eyes, he faced the ground again.
“Do you regret it? Leaving Oregon?” Asher finally asked.
Many times, he had asked himself this very question. Now that his mother was here, perhaps she could-
“Not a day goes by that I don’t.” Katrina smiled.
Asher’s eyes widened in surprise. He didn’t expect her to be so forward about it.
“Surprised? Heh, I know it’s only natural to think I had no regrets leaving. After all, I never showed up for all these years.” She smiled, with a sad twinkle evident in her eyes.
“Then why didn’t you-”
“But, even though I regret my actions, I also know I would have regretted not leaving. Every day, if I remained in Oregon, my mind would wander away from the pack, considering what life would be outside the woods, beyond the hills. I just had to know!” Katrina chuckled.
“And I couldn’t do that… not to you, your father, out people. Because that’s the one thing that’s worse than regret. Being stuck, dreaming of something you desire and never once being able to even try. That kind of life is what I left in exchange for the tiny pangs of regret I feel. It’s a fair trade, totally worth it.”
As Asher heard her, he didn’t know what to say. Overcome with emotions, his feelings of resentment toward his mother slowly dissipated.
“Asher, if you decide to chase Roxanne and force her to remain with you, it’s that same life you’d he forcing upon her. Even if she does leave and regrets her actions, she would know it was her choice. That’s what it means to truly live… owning up to your choices.”
Katrina was right. If Roxanne was or wasn’t going to chase her dream, it had to be her decision to make. As soon as Asher took that away from her, she would stop living.
“I see…” He could only mutter.
Silence dominated the entire area for a while as Asher was contemplating the thoughts to take and Katrina eagerly waiting for his decision.
“I understand now. I’ve made up my mind.” Asher finally spoke, rising to his feet.
Katrina watched him, her heads raised in curiosity and wondered what he was set out to do.
“I might regret it, but I won’t turn back anymore…”
Even before he spoke, one look at Asher’s face and Katrina already knew what his choice would be.
A smile formed on her face, realizing that her son was truly not going to deviate from the path he had chosen.
“I’m returning to the Pack!”