Alethea
Asher leans in and whispers softly into my ear, “You are safe now.”
Sparks dance across my skin where he touches me, and tingles rush through my body, but inside, I feel numb.
My heart is pounding, my chest tight, yet it’s as if my emotions are locked behind a heavy door. Even with the rain pouring down around us, soaking my clothes and plastering my hair to my face, I feel… nothing.
Still, I feel the way Asher holds me-like I’m the most precious thing in the world. Like he’s afraid to let me go.
And for a second, I wonder, Can I trust him again? Or is this just another moment that will slip through my fingers, another promise that will break me?
All I know is that I’m tired. Tired of being afraid. Tired of running. And tired of holding onto hope that keeps cutting deeper each time it slips away.
But deep down, I know it was hope that kept me going-hope that Asher would come.
Hope that the Moon Goddess hasn’t completely turned her face away from me. Somehow, in the darkness, she gave me a gift. A strength inside me I never knew I had. It helped me survive Craig’s trap, his twisted games, that almost drove me mad.
Still, every time I close my eyes, I see Craig.
That cruel smile.
And then, Asher. Ripping through the chaos like a storm. Destroying him.
My body trembles in Asher’s arms. My lips part before I can stop myself, and the words fall out.
“You were late.”
I didn’t mean to say it. I didn’t plan to. But it’s the truth.
And truth has a way of slipping out when pain is still fresh and hearts are still bleeding.
Asher stiffens, and a low growl vibrates from his chest, right where my cheek rests. I feel it deep in my bones, he didn’t like what I said.
But do I regret saying it out loud?
No. Not even a little.
If he had acted differently-if he had given me a clear answer when I asked him when he was going to mark me-maybe I wouldn’t have gone looking for Gaita. Maybe I wouldn’t have walked right into Craig’s trap.
Still, my body betrays me, and despite the anger and confusion, I melt into Asher’s touch.
My wolf, Xena, lets out a soft purr, even though I can feel her anger. And those tingles… they spark at every spot his hands touch, reminding me of the bond we share.
Instead of pulling away, I lean in closer.
I can feel his heart racing, and though he says nothing. I know he regrets it. I see it in the way he holds me like he’s afraid I might disappear if he lets go.
The car ride is quiet.
Only the sound of the tires bumping over wet roads breaks the silence. The rain outside has softened to a misty drizzle.
I keep my eyes on the road, watching the trees blur into shadows, even as I stay curled up in his arms.
My boy’s face flashes through my mind.
Declan.
I want to ask about him, but I’m too weak. So I hold his face in my thoughts like a lullaby and let myself drift off to sleep.
—
I don’t know how long I’ve been out.
But when I wake, I’m safely tucked into bed at the Redwood Packhouse. The soft blanket is pulled up to my chest, and my limbs are heavy with sleep.
“How did I get here?” I whisper to myself as I slowly pull the duvet away.
Asher’s scent is strong in the room. It makes Xena purr louder in content.
I feel weak like every part of me is made of glass, but something inside me craves fresh air.
When I look out the window, I see the moon hanging low in the sky. It’s late.
I swing my legs off the bed and slip my feet into my flip-flops. Grabbing my kimono, I wrap it around me and quietly make my way to the door.
I need to see my son.
So I head straight for his room-because that’s the only thing that matters right now.
Everywhere is quiet-of course, everyone has gone to bed.
That’s when it hits me. I must have slept the entire day and into the night.
My stomach growls, but I ignore it for now. I need to see my son first.
I tiptoe toward his room, careful not to make a sound. When I slowly open the door, soft moonlight spills through the window, with a gentle glow across his sleeping face. His features are so perfectly carved with a soft smile curling at my lips.
Gosh, I’ve missed this boy.
I quietly walk over to his bed and kneel beside him. My fingers gently stroke his blonde hair. He stirs under my touch, and I freeze.
“Mummy,” he murmurs, even though his eyes stay closed.
His little brows are furrowed like he’s caught in a dream. I hum softly in response, trying not to wake him.
Gradually, his face relaxes, and a small smile appears.
I lean in and press a kiss on his forehead.
Gently, I pull the duvet up to cover him better, making sure he’s warm before I rise to my feet. Now, I can’t ignore the hunger clawing at my belly. I head to the kitchen.
The hallway is silent, and my footsteps barely make a sound as I walk. The moment I reach the kitchen, I open the fridge, hoping to find something to eat. The soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant chirps of crickets outside are the only sounds I hear.
Inside the fridge, I find several batches of prepared food-thank the Moon Goddess.
I settle on a container of rice and roasted vegetables, then place it in the microwave. As I wait, the seconds feel long, but when it finally dings, I waste no time plating it.
The aroma fills the kitchen, I let out a deep sigh as I grab a spoon and take the first bite.
Delicious. Exactly what I needed.
But then, as I eat, images of Alpha Craig begin to creep into my mind again-his cruel grin, the darkness in his eyes, the fear he forced me to live through.
I shake my head, hard. No.
I push those thoughts away and focus on the food. I must’ve been hungrier than I thought because before I realized it, my plate was empty.
I place the spoon down gently and let out a long breath.
I needed air, so I stepped out of the kitchen and quietly made my way outside.
The night air is cool, brushing against my skin and easing the heat from the kitchen, and the memories are still swirling in my head.
What do I really want?
I think I’ve done enough for Asher. I gave him chances, waited for answers, and held on to hope-but now, it’s time I do something for myself.
Yes, I’m going to leave.
He shouldn’t have come for me. Not when he failed to show up when it truly mattered.
Anger bubbles in my chest as I think of how many times he’s left me feeling confused, unwanted, and second-guessing myself. I’m not sure I have the strength to run in circles with him again.
The Blue Moon is just a few weeks away, and with that will come the unbearable heat. I hope Selena can help me, help confine me to a room so I don’t have to deal with the pull-as much as it scares me.
Lost in thought, I don’t even realize how far I’ve wandered until the edge of the pack grounds.
Then I hear it-rushed footsteps pounding against the earth.
My head snaps up. The ground trembles with the force of someone approaching-fast, heavy, and furious.
My heart races, each beat louder than the last as dread coils in my stomach.
Who is it? What’s happening?
I freeze, with wide eyes, every instinct in me on high alert.
And then-he steps into view.
But the look on his face wasn’t what I expected.