Asher
I watch helplessly as Ally is dragged away by the guards, my wolf growling in my mind, enraged by the sight.
The urge to rip those guards apart and protect her is almost unbearable, but I force myself to hold back for now.
Anger boils within me as I drag Maya by her hand, leading her to the room we share.
My pace is fast and furious, and I don’t bother to look back to see if she’s keeping up.
She has a whole lot of explaining to do.
Ally calling her a slut in front of everyone and Maya saying nothing to refute it only filled me with more rage.
The fear in her eyes, the silent plea she gave Ally not to spill whatever secret she’s hiding it’s all too much.
But what the hell was Ally doing, running out to me wearing my shirt, looking like that?
And that other wolf, lusting after her like she was his to claim it makes my blood boil even more.
As soon as we get inside, I lock the door behind us and slam Maya against the wall.
My fists are clenched, my teeth gritted, and the fury within me is barely contained.
“Start talking now,” I demand, my voice low and dangerous.
I’m hoping, praying, that she’ll save me the time and tell me the truth, whatever it may be.
But then, something else catches my attention.
My eyes widen in disbelief as I sniff the air, a strange scent wafting through the room.
It’s subtle but unmistakable that she’s been with another man. The realization sends a fresh wave of fury over me.
“Who is he?” I roar, slamming my fist into the wall beside her head.
The impact shakes the room, but it’s nothing compared to the storm raging in me.
Maya’s panic is evident, but she says nothing.
Despite the fear in her eyes, there’s a defiance there too, a stubbornness that makes my anger burn even hotter.
“What kind of Luna are you, spreading your legs to any male wolf?” I snarl, my voice dripping with venom. “Just like Ally called you a slut.”
Her eyes blaze with fury, and she finally speaks her voice sharp and biting. “You will not dare say that out of your disgusting mouth, Asher.” Her defiance matches my anger.
I take a step closer, my face inches from hers, my breath coming in ragged bursts.
“Don’t test me, Maya. You have no idea how close I am to losing control. So, who is he? Who did you let touch you?”
She flinches but keeps her chin high, defiance still in her gaze.
“And what if I did?” she snaps, her voice trembling but it’s strong. “You’ve been treating me like I’m nothing, Asher. Ever since she arrived, you’ve changed. You’re obsessed with her. Why shouldn’t I seek comfort elsewhere when you have abandoned me emotionally?”
My eyes burn with fury as I step closer to Maya, my hand gripping her neck-not too tight, but firm enough to keep her in place, to remind her who holds the power here.
“How dare you say that you whore,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous.
She struggled against my hold, her eyes wide with fear, but I didn’t loosen my grip.
I lean in, my face inches from hers, and hiss, “I know you won’t say a thing, but I swear by the moon goddess, if I ever find out who he is, goddess help me, I’ll rip you, and him both apart. Understand?”
Maya slowly nods, her body trembling. I release her, and she slumps to the floor, gasping for air.
I should feel something but all I feel is rage and disgust. The betrayal runs deep, and my emotions are a storm I can barely control.
My mind shifts to Ally, the one I truly need to protect.
She’s shut me out, building a wall around her mind so I can’t reach her.
I push against that barrier with everything I have, desperate to connect with her.
For a brief moment, I succeed, breaking through her defenses.
“Ally, it’s me,” I whisper into her mind, with a soft voice filled with a plea for understanding.
But she quickly rebuilds the wall, shutting me out again.
I glance down at Maya, still writhing in pain on the floor.
The anger within me is a roaring fire, and I know if I stay any longer, I might do something I’ll regret.
I take one last look at her, a mix of anger and disappointment, then turn and step out of the room. I need to find Ally. She’s the only one who matters now.
“Meet me at my office now,” I bark through the mind link to Liam, my voice leaving no room for hesitation.
“Yes, Alpha,” he responds promptly, and within seconds, I sense movement behind me. Without turning, I know it’s Liam.
Earlier today, Liam had brought up the council’s insistence on punishing Ally for attacking Maya.
I had planned to secretly sneak her out of the pack’s land, but Ally’s unexpected appearance had altered those plans.
The council was waiting for me to take action against the one who had dared to harm their Luna, so I had to order her to be taken to a dungeon-though not the typical dungeon.
It was a secluded room, a hidden place where she could be safe, even if only for a while.
I open the door to my office, step inside, and sit in my chair, motioning for Liam to sit in the seat opposite my desk.
He follows my command, with expectations evident in his eyes.
“Something seems off about Maya,” I begin, with a serious tone. “I need you to investigate it.”
Liam’s eyes widened in surprise. “You want me to spy on Maya?”
“Yes, Liam. Spy on her if that’s what you want to call it. I need you to report back to me every day with details of where she’s been and who she’s been with. Understand?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Liam says, standing up, ready to carry out my command.
“Wait,” I say, stopping him before he can leave. He sits back down with curiosity.
“And another thing-about Zoe. Something doesn’t add up. Why would she attack Maya so viciously? Don’t you think there’s more to it?”
Liam’s face darkens at the mention of Zoe’s, his anger palpable. I know her name is a sensitive subject for him, and it’s clear that even the mere mention of her stirs emotions he struggles to contain.
“Here we go again, Alpha. I don’t know what it is between you and that lady,” Liam snaps, his frustration boiling over.
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Because I don’t get it. Ever since she set foot in this pack, you haven’t been yourself. And goddess damn it, the way you look at her-like she means the world to you-when your focus should be on Maya!”
His anger is palpable, and I can’t blame him. He’s right, in many ways.
Ever since Ally came back into my life, everything has shifted.
She’s infiltrated my every thought, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t shake the bond. It’s maddening.
I’ve tried to stay focused, to ignore the pull, but it’s impossible. The connection is too strong.
“You’re right,” I say, my voice low, as I fight to control my emotions. “You’ll be investigating that as well. Do you understand?”
Liam looks at me, unsure of whether to push further, but I continue, “But hold on a minute. There should be camera footage of the scene where Zoe attacked Maya. Let’s check it out.”
Liam nods, still visibly upset but following my command without question.
I move to my system, powering it on. The tension in the room is thick, and I know this is just the beginning.
The situation is escalating faster than I expected, and I’m beginning to realize that things are about to get even more complicated.
The images flicker on the screen, and as the footage starts to play, I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. This isn’t going to be easy.