Asher
My body feels like a massive weight crushes me and pins me in place.
No matter how much I try to move, it’s like an invisible force holds me down, it makes it impossible to even lift a finger. I hate this. I hate to feel powerless, to depend on others when I should stand on my own.
I can sense movement around me, I can hear faint voices, but my mind is trapped in a thick fog.
My thoughts slip through my grasp like sand, impossible to hold on to.
The worst part is the sound of someone crying, it’s agonizing, broken. The sound tugs at something deep inside me, making my heart clench.
It’s a voice I know, a voice that means everything to me. I want to comfort her, to tell her I’m here, but each time I try, I feel myself sinking deeper into the abyss, trapped in this endless torment.
Then it happens. A soft touch against my chest. Warm. Gentle. Familiar. It starts as the faintest spark flashes to life, then surges through me like a current; it lights up every nerve in my body.
It’s her. I know it instantly. Her scent surrounds me; it’s calm and safe, and it pulls me from the darkness.
She is my anchor, my heartbeat, my mate.
Whatever she’s doing, it works. Light seeps into my veins, it pushes away the pain that has kept me locked in this prison.
I feel it drain out of me like something pulls the agony from my very soul. My body, once stiff and unresponsive, slowly starts to wake up.
My head drifts closer to the surface, away from the abyss, and the world around me becomes clearer.
I hear the rustle of leaves, the gentle sway of trees, and birds chirping in the distance.
And then, the sound that makes my heart jolt back to life.
Ally gasps.
I know I should fight my way through. Whatever Ally is doing to me-it’s too much.
The sheer amount of energy she pours into me is overwhelming, it pushes past its limits, yet she keeps going. She’s giving everything just to save me.
A deep growl rumbles in my throat. My wolf stirs, it claws its way to the surface, furious and restless. Something is happening to me, something I haven’t felt in a long time.
Power surges through my veins, wild and untamed. The bond between Ally and me hums with an intensity I can’t put into words. But then, I feel it.
She’s weak.
That realization slams into me like a bolt of lightning. Panic grips me, sharp and suffocating.
My heart pounds against my ribcage, every instinct screams at me to move, to break free. And then, with one final push, I do.
My eyes snap open as they glow with power. My wolf lets out a triumphant howl inside me, but I barely register it.
My head jerks to the side, and I see Selena. She kneels beside me, her eyes wide with shock, like she can’t believe what she has just witnessed
Selena is a mystery, a force of her own. She has a way of coming through when everything seems lost.
I don’t know what Ally and I would have done without her. She has saved this pack more times than they even realize.
Cool air sweeps against my damp skin, and then the sharp, metallic scent of blood hits my nostrils. My whole body tenses as I turn my head and the world shatters.
Ally.
She’s lying motionless on the ground, her body limp, her face pale.
A vicious snarl rips from my throat, a sound of pure anguish. I ignore the pain that still lingers in my body and rush to her side; it pulls her against my chest. She’s cold.
“Ally,” I rasp, my voice raw with desperation. I shake her gently. “Come on, baby. Open your eyes.”
She doesn’t move.
Oh, Goddess. Ally has done so much for me; given everything she has now, I feel completely helpless.
I’ve fought countless battles and faced enemies stronger than most, but nothing has ever made me feel this useless. Her heartbeat is faint, barely there, but I can still hear it.
“She gave too much,” Selena says, breaking the heavy silence. “She poured all her energy to heal you, but she didn’t stop when she should have. It drained her completely.”
I stare up at Selena, my mate’s pale body cradled in my arms. “What do I do?” My voice is hoarse. “I can’t watch her die like this.”
“She’ll be fine,” Selena assures me softly. “She just needs rest.”
“Rest?” I repeat, with my tight jaw. “We don’t have time. I need my mate. We have to fight Xavier.” My words come in a rush, urgency pressing down on me.
Selena studies me carefully. “You already know about Xavier?”
I manage a weak smile. “I saw everything through the bond while she healed me. The moment she transferred her energy, it connected us completely. I know what’s happening in the pack.”
Her brows lift in surprise. “Wow… The blood bond between you two is very much active.”
“Is it supposed to weaken?” I ask, with narrow eyes.
“No, not at all,” she says quickly. “I’m just surprised by how strong it is.”
I shift Ally in my arms, holding her tighter. “We need to do something to help her.” My knees threaten to buckle under me, but I refuse to fall. Not when she fought so hard for me.
I Gather what strength I have left; I rise to my feet as I secure Ally in my arms. I stagger slightly, but I don’t let go. She gave up everything for me-I won’t fail her now.
I make my way toward the tunnel, the one only a few pack members know about. As soon as I step inside, I see Liam. His shoulders sag in relief when he sees me, but his expression quickly shifts to panic when he notices Ally unconscious in my arms.
“What happened to Luna?” Liam rushes forward, as he reaches out to take her from me.
A low, dangerous growl rumbles through my chest. It’s quiet, but strong enough to make him freeze in place. His hands slowly rise in surrender.
“I’ve got her,” I say firmly.
Liam nods, stepping back as I continue down the tunnel. Memories of my childhood flash through my mind. I used to sneak out through this very passage when I was younger. Back then, I had no real worries. No enemies waiting in the shadows.
Now, everything has changed.
And I won’t stop until I make Xavier pay for what he’s done.
I rush through the tunnel, as I make my way toward my private room as fast as my body will allow. I can hear Liam right behind me; his footsteps echo in the narrow passage. But I won’t stop.
As soon as I reach my room, I push the door open and step inside, and my heart pounds. I gently lay Ally on the bed, my hands trembling as I brush stray strands of hair from her face.
She looks so pale, so fragile.
I sit beside her, as my fingers trace the delicate features I’ve missed-the curve of her cheek, the soft shape of her lips. I want to help her, to bring her back the way she brought me back. But I don’t know how.
Then, Kaidos stirs in my mind, his voice deep and insistent.
“Bring your lips close to hers.”
I blink in confusion. What?
“You heard me. Do it.” His tone is almost angry now, impatient.
I hesitate for only a second before leaning down, bringing my lips inches from hers.
“Now, pass some air through,” Kaidos instructs.
I do as he says, gently as I exhale against her lips.
And then my eyes widened in shock.