Chapter 28
The morning sun had just risen when I headed to the training area. Even though it was early, members from both the Blackstone and Clearwater packs were already arriving, showing a mix of focus and tiredness from waking up. As I started to explain what we would do during training, I felt like someone was watching me.
Looking around, I saw Asher standing at the side of the group. He was staring at me so hard that it made me feel uneasy. I quickly turned away and started showing a new way to defend ourselves.
“Keep in mind,” I said loudly, so everyone could hear, “being ready is important. You have to watch your opponent’s movements and guess what they will do next.”
While the wolves practiced in pairs, I walked around helping and fixing mistakes. I saw Asher slowly moving closer, trying to get my attention. But before he could reach me, I felt a familiar warmth behind me. Which told me Xander had arrived.
“Aurora,” he said, placing his hand gently on my lower back, “we need to talk about our border patrols. There’s been another sighting.”
Grateful for the interruption, I nodded. “Of course. Let’s go.”
As Xander led me away, I couldn’t help but see Asher’s look of irritation. There was definitely something on his mind, but it wasn’t the right moment to address it. We had more important issues to focus on.
The day went on in a similar way. It felt like every time I looked around, Asher was nearby, just a bit too far to talk to. During our afternoon break, I noticed him lingering outside the room where Xander and I were staying. When he noticed I saw him, he disappeared.
When lunchtime arrived, I was quite uneasy. As I took a seat to have my meal, Asher joined me, sitting a bit closer than I was comfortable with.
“Aurora,” he started, speaking quietly and quickly, “I really need to talk to you about-”
“Alpha Asher!” One of the Clearwater betas called out, interrupting him. “We need your input on the hunting rotation.”
Asher’s jaw tightened with irritation, but he agreed, standing up. “We will continue this later,” he told me, then walked off.
I looked after him, feeling a sense of worry growing in my stomach. Spotting Selene nearby, I waved her over.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, noting my troubled expression.
I sighed, picking at my food. “I’m not sure. Asher’s been acting… strange. He keeps trying to discuss something.”
Selene frowned, while looking at Asher who was standing with his beta. “That doesn’t sound good. Do you want me to interfere?”
I shook my head. “No, I believe I should handle this issue myself. Whatever it is, it’s obviously not disappearing by itself.”
The afternoon continued in the same way. While we were exploring the surroundings, Asher kept appearing around every turn, as if by coincidence. His constant presence grew increasingly irritating as the day went on.
When the day ended, I figured it was time to address the issue. We were heading back to the pack house. I told him straight, “Asher, if there’s something on your mind, let’s get it out now.” I suggested we meet at the clearing by the big old oak tree after dinner.
Relief washed over his face. “Thank you, Aurora. I promise, you won’t regret this.”
Something about his tone sent a chill down my spine, but I pushed the feeling aside. Before heading to dinner, I sought out Xander, finding him in our shared quarters.
“Xander,” I said, wrapping my arms around him and drawing comfort from his familiar scent, “I need to tell you something.”
His arms tightened around me, concern evident in his voice. “What is it, love?”
I explained Asher’s strange behavior and my decision to meet with him. I talked and saw Xander’s tension grow. He growled.
“I don’t like it,” he grumbled, looking at me directly. “He’s planning something.”
I agreed, knowing he was worried. “I understand. But regardless of what it is, I have to handle it. We can’t let this unknown thing bother us, especially with all the other problems we’re dealing with.”
Xander looked deeply into my eyes for a while before he sighed and gently touched his forehead to mine. “I trust you, Aurora. Just… be careful. And if you need me, call out. I’ll be there instantly.”
I smiled, touched by his concern and support. “I know you will. But I can handle Asher. Whatever he has to say, it won’t change anything between us. You’re my mate, my future. Nothing can change that.”
After dinner, I made my way to the clearing, the old oak tree stood tall and still, like a quiet guard. The moon was low, giving everything a gentle, silver glow. While I waited, I felt a bit worried.
Asher showed up shortly after, looking both anxious and resolved. “Aurora,” he said, speaking more quietly than usual, “thanks for coming to meet me.”
I folded my arms, keeping some space between us. “What’s going on, Asher? You’ve seemed off all day.”
He took a deep breath, as if to gather his strength. “I’ve been thinking a lot recently. About the past, about… us.”
“There is no us,” I said firmly, already not liking where this conversation was heading.
Asher held up his hands, placating. “Please, just hear me out. I know I made a terrible mistake when I rejected you. I was young, stupid, blinded by ambition and what I thought I wanted.”
I felt my heart rate pick up, a mix of old pain and new anger swirling inside me. “Asher, whatever this is-”
Before I could finish speaking, he quickly went down on one knee right in front of me, gripping my hands firmly. The sudden contact surprised me, and I attempted to pull away, but he kept a stronghold.
“Please, Aurora,” he pleaded, his eyes glistening with tears he was holding back. “I am deeply sorry for hurting you, Aurora. I was utterly wrong. You are incredible, resilient, and strong… everything a true Luna should be. I understand that now.”
I stared at him in surprise, totally shocked. This was the very last thing I expected. “Asher, stand up,” I said, finally freeing my hands from his grasp. “This isn’t… You can’t just-”
“I know I don’t deserve it,” he pressed on, rising to his feet but staying close. “But I’m begging you, Aurora. Give me another chance. We were meant to be together. You’re my true mate. We can still have the future we were destined for.”
For a while, I thought about the girl I was before. She was full of hope and a little scared, waiting for the moment her mate would find her and claim me. But that girl was gone, replaced by the woman I had become. A woman who had found true love, true belonging, with someone else.
“No,” I replied, my tone resolute and audible. “Asher, I apologize, but the answer is no. Our past relationship, or what could have been… it belongs to the past. I’ve moved on. I’m happy with Xander. He’s my mate, my future.”
Asher’s face fell, disbelief and hurt flashing in his eyes. “But… we’re destined mates. You can’t just ignore that. What we have is special, rare.”
I shook my head, taking a step back. “Destiny isn’t everything, Asher. We make our own choices. And I choose Xander. I love him. He understands me truly, supports me, and encourages me to improve. He didn’t need me to become powerful to see my worth.”
As I spoke, I saw something shift in Asher’s expression. The vulnerability disappeared, and I was reminded of the toughness we had experienced before.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said, his tone becoming sharp. “You’re breaking our bond, rejecting what destiny has planned.”
“No,” I countered, feeling my anger rise. “You betrayed our bond when you rejected me. You turned your back on fate when you choose power over love. You don’t get to change your mind now that I’ve become someone you deem worthy.”
Asher’s eyes flashed dangerously. He reached out, grabbing my arm roughly. “You’re not thinking clearly. You need to reconsider this, Aurora. There will be consequences if you make the wrong choice.”
Asher’s eyes flashed dangerously. He reached out, grabbing my arm roughly. “You’re not thinking clearly. You need to reconsider this, Aurora. There will be consequences if you make the wrong choice.”
I felt my power surge within me, my eyes glowing silver in the moonlight. With a sudden surge of strength, I forced Asher to let go of my arm.
“I’ve decided,” I declared, my voice strong and sure. “I chose myself when I left this pack. I picked love when I accepted Xander as my mate. And I’m picking my path now. You need to accept that and move on, Asher.”
I turned to leave, my heart beating fast but my determination strong. When I got to the edge of the open space, Asher called out to me, his voice showing both anger and urgency.
“This isn’t finished, Aurora! Do you believe you can just leave? There are events happening that you don’t comprehend. Decisions lead to outcomes, and you have no clue what’s ahead!”
I stopped for a second, feeling a shiver because of the scary way he spoke. But I didn’t look back. Whatever Asher was suggesting, whatever danger his words implied, I would confront it. With Xander beside me, supported by the power of both our groups, we could manage anything.