Alethea (Zoe)
Life has a cruel sense of humor sometimes. I feel trapped, unable to get through each day without Alpha Asher’s emotions invading my mind.
It’s infuriating, more so because he’s an Alpha. His presence looms over me like a shadow I can’t escape, no matter how hard I try.
What was I thinking, rushing to warn Asher during battle? The thought alone is enough to make me cringe.
Yet, I know I need to warn him about Xavier’s plans. Still, the last thing I want is to be near him, to feel the pull of the mate bond tugging at me.
Asher’s misunderstanding about Declan is almost laughable. The way his face contorted with barely contained rage when I mentioned Declan’s name still makes me smile.
He thinks Declan is my boyfriend. If only he knew the truth, he wouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions.
These past weeks, I’ve managed to keep my distance from Asher, and for that, I’m grateful.
Selena had to return to Northville, and during her absence, Amelia stepped in to care for my boy. I owe her so much for that.
With Selena’s guidance, I’ve undergone rigorous training to block Asher’s thoughts from invading my mind.
It hasn’t been easy. The connection we share as mates is strong. But I’m learning. Day by day, I’m mastering the techniques Selena taught me.
The rogue attack has forced Alpha Asher to tighten the borders and ensure everyone learns to defend themselves.
His orders are clear: no one is exempt from training. I don’t want to be part of it, but defying the Alpha isn’t an option. At least I won’t be bored-Kayla is here with me, and her company is a welcome distraction.
After our encounter the other day, she’s been relentless in her attempts to become friends with me.
I resisted at first, but her sincerity eventually broke through. I trust my instincts, and they tell me she’s genuine. For now, that’s enough.
“So, how’s it been so far?” Kayla asks, pulling me out of my thoughts as we sit in the training arena. “I see you’ve been turning down all the unmated wolves making advances.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Oh, please, Kayla. I have no interest in getting involved with any wolf here. If I were to settle down, it’d be with a human. I’m never going to get my wolf, so what’s the point?” I take a sip from my water bottle, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat.
Kayla raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by my response. “You’re set on that, huh?”
I nod, leaning back slightly. “Yeah. I’ve come to terms with it. Better to focus on what’s real than chase after something that will never happen.”
She pauses, her gaze steady on me. I try to ignore her, but the silence between us grows heavier, pressing down until I’m forced to turn and meet her eyes.
“What?” I snap, breaking the tension.
“I’m sorry, Ally,” she begins, but I quickly cut her off.
“Shh, no ‘Ally’ here, please,” I say, glancing around cautiously. “It’s Zoe. I don’t want Maya to get any hints about who I am. She’s been acting mischievous lately, and I’m not sure how long I can keep up with her games.” I roll my eyes in frustration, trying to lighten the mood.
“Sorry, Zoe,” she corrects herself with a small pout. “It’s just… it’s hard. And thank you for trusting me. It hurt when you pushed me away at first.”
I can’t help but tease her a bit, smiling. “That’s cute. But what did you expect me to do? I have to be cautious. I don’t want to get too attached to anyone here in Redwood.” I pick at my nails, focusing on anything but the vulnerability in her eyes.
“I get it, Zoe,” she says softly. “You miss him, don’t you?”
Even without her saying his name, I know exactly who she’s talking about. I turn my face toward her slowly, guarding my emotions carefully. I can’t afford for her to see through me, especially since I’ve recently discovered they’re siblings. Any slip could end up in Asher’s hands.
“Do I miss him?” I say, with a tight tone, trying to mask the simmering anger beneath.
“I’ve lived my life without him for almost four years. It’s not now, when I’m older and wiser, that I’ll start missing him. And besides, he has his Luna.”
But even as I speak, I can feel the anger rising. Why am I so upset? Is it the blood bond making me feel his emotions? Or is it the sight of him doting on Maya, acting as if I don’t exist, that makes my heart clench so painfully?
“It’s okay to be angry, Zoe,” she says gently. “But I believe that somehow, you’ll both find your way back to each other’s arms.”
Her words offer a glimmer of hope I’m not sure I want to accept. The path ahead feels uncertain, and the pain of the present is almost too much to bear.
I look at Kayla in disbelief. “Kayla, grow up. This isn’t some fairy tale. This is real life. If you think Asher will leave Maya for me, wake up. It’s not going to happen. He doesn’t want a fated mate; he chose Maya for a reason.”
“Whatever, girl. When it happens, I’ll be the first to say, ‘I told you so,'” Kayla retorts with a grin. But before I can respond, I freeze, sensing a presence behind me.
Ever since the blood bond with Asher, my senses have heightened. I turn slowly and see Maya standing there.
“Zoe, hi,” she greets me, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
“Good day, Luna,” I reply with a bow, the words dripping with mock respect. If calling her Luna feeds her ego, so be it-just as long as she gets the hint to leave.
“Kayla, can you give us a moment to talk?” Maya asks sweetly, her smile as fake as her concern.
Kayla glances between us, hesitant to leave. She’s always had a gut feeling about Maya, something she can’t quite explain. I’ve tried to dismiss it to avoid trouble, but now, I wonder if she’s right.
I nod subtly at Kayla, signaling her to go. She reluctantly steps away, but I can still sense her lingering nearby, ready to step in if needed.
As soon as Maya notices we’re alone, she motions for me to follow her. I hesitate for a moment, glancing around at the others still training, but her persistence pushes me to move.
We head toward a more secluded area, a space stocked with various fighting gear-knives, spears, arrows, and the like.
Confusion swirls in my mind. Why bring me here? I’ve been in this spot before when Liam asked me to return a sharp silver knife, keeping it away from the training arena for safety reasons.
The presence of silver had made me uneasy then, and it certainly does now.
Just as we move out of sight from the main arena, Maya slams me against the wall. My eyes widen in shock, my breath hitching as I catch sight of the silver knife glinting in her hand. Fear prickles at the edge of my consciousness, but I steel myself, unwilling to show any weakness.
“Maya, what are you doing?” I ask, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart.