As Dax watched Asher from a distance, feeling sorry for his friend, his mind returned to the past, a few weeks ago, when Asher had come to his home.
He was looking for Roxanne, asking if she was in his home. At that moment, Dax was busy with his wife, Rita. They were drunk in their love and having a passionate night, so he was impatient with Asher and didn’t think much of his search for Roxanne.
‘They must be playing a game too…’ He had concluded.
To think Roxanne left that night, and Asher was so heartbroken that he took so much to drink and found himself in bed with Camilla.
“If only I had handled that better…” Dax whispered to,, blaming himself for the challenges Asher was going through now.
“Its not your fault, Dax. Don’t blame yourself.” A voice suddenly sounded.
Dax’s eyes bulged as he recognized the voice. It was familiar, soft, and lovely. Such a melodious tome could only ever belong to one woman.
“Rita!” Dax beamed, looking down from the height where he sat and saw the young woman with two others.
He was too engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the approach of his lover and mate. In an instant, he jumped down and met her, burying himself in her embrace. Rita returned his expression of love as they hugged and kissed, closing their eyes and enjoying their passionate exchange of fluids.
“I’ve missed you…” He smiled, gazing lovingly at Rita.
Rita smiled as well, overjoyed to see her mate. All the exhaustion she felt partially felt lifted upon being in Dax’s arms.
“Don’t blame yourself for Asher’s mistakes. I’m certain he doesn’t blame you as well.” She added with a smile, tightening her embrace.
Hearing someone say this, especially since it was the woman he devoted his heart to, made Dax feel relieved.
After a few moments in each other’s arms, the two detached themselves and finally got down to business.
“I’m surprised. It looks like you indeed found Asher and brought him back.” Dax smiled looking to the hill where Asher stood.
“Hey, what do you mean surprised? So, you’re saying you never believed I could pull it off in the first place?” Rita poured, feigning anger toward Dax in a cute way.
They both laughed at this, sending a light feeling of cheer to permeate their immediate area. Suddenly, Dax remembered that Rita was accompanied by two women whom he recognized.
Looking beside her, he saw Linda and Melissa, smiling at the young couple.
“It looks like you’ve finally noticed us.” Linda smiled knowingly, raising her brows at Dax.
He felt flustered by her comment and laughed a little.
“Ah, young love. I can’t say I don’t envy you guys.” Melissa added.
“Oh, please. Miss. Melissa has Damien, doesn’t she? I heard he likes to go rough.” Rita gave a wink.
This comeback made Melissa blush as she covered her face. She knew for a fact that Rita was right. After all, she had experienced it.
“Haha, so I’m the only one left out of the loop.” Linda gave a wry smile.
Everyone took it as a joke and laughed heartily, temporarily forgetting the deal with Asher. The first one to recollect it was Dax, since he was very worried about his friend.
“When did you know about all this, with Asher…?” Dax suddenly asked, looking at Rita seriously.
Rita sighed upon hearing this. She was still recoiling from the shock herself.
“Not long, really. He told me when we met briefly at Miss. Linda’s cottage in the woods. He told me that’s the reason he left the Pack, to find Roxanne.” Rita explained.
However, she was surprised as well. From what he had told her, Asher was not going to return to Oregon Woods if the didn’t find Roxanne again. Since she was leaving the state, she had assumed Asher would do all in his power to retrieve her so she wouldn’t be lost to him forever. However…
“I don’t sense any trace of Roxanne here. What’s going on?” Rita asked Dax.
Dax had no idea as well. He was also very conscious of how much Asher loved Roxanne, and how he wasn’t going to settle for anything less, given his stubborn nature. Yet, from the announcement he was making, Dax didn’t see how any of it ended up with him being with Roxanne.
“Also, I wasn’t the one who made him return. He told me he wouldn’t come back without Roxanne.” Rita added.
Everyone was puzzled at this point.
“After I reunited with Asher and he left, I waited for Roxanne’s family to be well before heading for the Pack, since it wasn’t safe in the Cottage. I don’t know about much else.”
“Be well? Not safe? What happened to you guys?” Dax asked, looking at Linda and Melissa.
“It’s a long story.” Rita sighed, not willing to recount the harsh experience they had with the Hunters.
“I-I see…” Dax muttered.
At this point, they sensed that Asher was reaching the climax of his speech, and so they turned to face the Summit, a distance from them and watched the Grand Alpha make his decision.
“I, in taking responsibility for my actions, have decided to step down as Wolf King, and make things right with the one who is my true mate and Luna… Roxanne!”
Upon stating this, the whole area went into silence in response to Asher’s declaration.
Mixed reactions were seen. Camilla, who was beside Asher, felt utterly humiliated. To be rejected so openly, in the presence of virtually the whole community, was there a bigger shame than that? Alpha Benson appeared a little disappointed by Asher’s decision, but he quickly thought up a Plan B.
‘Camilla just has to win Klaus’ favor, and she’ll secure the position of royalty. Hehe, there’s no way I’ll lose no matter what! He greedily thought to himself, looking in Klaus’ direction.
Benson’s eyes bulged the moment he gazed upon Klaus and saw the crazy expression the former Wolf King made.
Klaus had a wide, wild grin, filled with obsessive satisfaction. His eyes were fixated on Asher, reveling in the fact that the young man had relinquished his seat.
‘I knew he would make that choice! Now then… the supreme seat of the woods will once again be mine!’ Klaus licked his lips in anticipation.
“This is a decision I made in order to be one with my mate. My true mate. I am certain you all understand, those who have fated ones as well. I will not experience true happiness without her by my side. That’s why, even though this is a selfish choice… I want you to understand and respect my decision.”
His words moved the crowd, and even those who weren’t from his Pack empathized with him. There was no greater emptiness than losing one’s soul mate.
“This… is the price to pay for my mistake. As your leader, I have failed you by-”
Before Asher could say any more, a voice interrupted him from the crowd.
“That’s not true, Asher! Stop saying that as if you made a mistake! I know for a fact that you love Roxanne, too much that you wouldn’t sleep with another woman!”