Ashley’s POV
“Ashley!” I heard a distant scream, my body feeling weightless, as though I was falling into an abyss. Panic surged through me, my heart hammering against my chest. But then, strong arms caught me, and the world seemed to slow.
“Are you okay?” Liam’s voice was steady, calm in the chaos, but his grip around me was like iron. His warm hands cupped my face, and I could feel the heat of concern in his touch.
The twins rushed up beside us, their faces etched with worry, their frantic movements adding to the confusion. They gently laid me on the couch, their eyes scanning me for any signs of injury.
“Ashley, can you hear me?” Freya’s voice pierced the haze, her hand waving in front of my face.
“I… I can hear you,” I stammered, the fog lifting as my mind scrambled to piece together the shattered pieces of the night. The blood, the violence, Steven’s chilling coldness-it was all too much.
Freya’s voice was a soft comfort, but it only reminded me of the horror I’d witnessed. “Time out, go home, y’all. The ceremony is over,” she said, a strange calmness in her words, as if she could erase what had just happened with a few commands. She turned to Steven, her tone taking on an edge of authority.
“You should go get yourself cleaned up, brother. I’ll call the workers to clean this place,” she said, but there was no softness in her voice, no real care in her words. It was all business for her.
Steven didn’t look back. His expression was stone, unreadable, and yet, the raw power radiating from him made my heart skip a beat. His voice was low, the command in it undeniable, as he spoke. “No. I want Calix’s body hung outside on the tree for all to see what fate befalls anyone who dares to cross me.” His words were chilling, as though he were discussing something trivial, something he’d done a thousand times. Without another word, he walked away.
A tear slipped down my cheek, tracing the path of my fear. I didn’t understand how a man like him could exist-so powerful, so unfeeling. His brutality was suffocating, and it was no longer something I could pretend to ignore. I had married a monster.
Freya’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Are you okay, Ashley? What’s wrong?” Her concern was genuine, but how could she possibly understand? How could anyone understand what it felt like to be married to someone like Steven?
‘What’s wrong? What’s wrong is that I’m married to a ruthless, cold-hearted psychopath!’
But I didn’t say it aloud. I swallowed the words down, my throat tight. “I’m fine,” I muttered, even though nothing felt fine.
“You should rest,” Freja’s voice was soft, but there was an unspoken command behind it. “Take her to her room, Freya. I’ve already arranged her things in Steven’s room.”
I froze. “I… I don’t think I can sleep in there with him,” I said, the thought of being in the same bed with Steven almost making me choke.
Freya’s smile was small, but it was a relief. “I’ll take her to my room instead,” she said, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
*******
I woke up with a slight headache, my mind still foggy with confusion and terror. The night had been a blur of blood and violence, of fear and helplessness. How could I ever recover from something like that?
I had changed into one of Freya’s clothes last night, and I was still in them. It was a strange comfort, but it also made me feel like an imposter in someone else’s life. I had never imagined my wedding night would end with bodies and blood. A wedding night should be something sacred, something beautiful-but not mine.
“Happy married life to you, Luna,” I whispered to myself, my voice hoarse, as I shakily stood up.
I glanced around the room, but it didn’t feel like home. It was all too unfamiliar, too cold.
I walked down the stairs, my footsteps echoing through the otherwise silent mansion. Everything was pristine, sparkling as though nothing had ever happened. But beneath the surface, the stench of death still clung to the air, suffocating.
As I walked past the workers, they bowed respectfully, their gazes lowered. The realization hit me like a wave, pulling me under. I was now the wife of a werewolf Alpha. This was my life now.
“Ashley! Good morning!” Freya’s voice rang out, and I was pulled from my dark thoughts. She rushed over to me, wrapping me in a hug that felt like the first real warmth I had felt in days. “How was your night?”
“It was… fine,” I replied, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. How could I possibly tell her the truth? That I was terrified. That the man I had married was a killer, a monster, and I was powerless to do anything about it.
“Last night was pretty rough, right?” She asked gently, her eyes soft with understanding. I nodded silently, unable to speak.
“Sorry about that,” she said, but her words didn’t bring any comfort. How could she apologize for something she couldn’t change?
“It’s not your fault,” I whispered back, though I wasn’t sure I even believed it.
As we made our way to the dining room, the scent of fresh food wafted through the air, a small comfort in the midst of everything. Brie was setting the table, and when Liam and Roy joined us, the room seemed to settle into an uncomfortable calm. The tension between Steven and me hung thick, like a dark cloud that no one could shake off.
I glanced around the table, feeling like an outsider. “Where’s… you know… your brother?” I asked quietly, my voice betraying the uncertainty gnawing at me.
“He’s out in the woods,” Freja replied, her tone flat. “He went with Williams this morning.”
“Yeah, they were training,” Roy added, his tone lacking any real enthusiasm.
******
Steven’s POV
I was restless, the need to prepare gnawing at me. The world was changing, and I needed to be ready. My warriors-my betas-were all gone. My best fighters had been murdered, leaving me with only two. Williams was strong, but he wasn’t ready. He needed to be.
“You’re too slow!” I barked, my voice slicing through the air like a whip. “To survive in a battle, you need to be faster than that!”
I threw the long stick back to Williams, watching as he grabbed it and launched himself at me with a speed that barely impressed me. I caught him by the throat in an instant, pinning him to the ground, his feet barely scraping the dirt beneath him.
“Still slow,” I muttered. I felt the power surge through my body, the weight of my strength palpable.
Williams stood up, brushing the dirt off himself, clearly frustrated. “I don’t understand, Alpha. What’s the point of all this sudden training?”
“My betas were my best warriors, and they’re all dead,” I said, my tone cold. “You and Roy are the only two I have left. Roy’s skilled, but you’re weak. I need you to be strong, Williams. A war is coming, and you won’t survive if you’re weak. Do you understand?”
He nodded, the frustration clear on his face. “Yes, Alpha.”
“That will be all for today,” I said, turning to leave.
But then, I heard it-the faintest sound of a whoosh. Without even thinking, I caught the stick Williams had thrown at me, my reflexes so fast they seemed inhuman.
“Nice, but when I say it’s over, it’s over,” I said, tossing the stick aside. “Don’t test me again.”
Williams lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry, Alpha.”
I said nothing as we left the woods and headed back to the mansion.
—
At the dinner table, everyone was already gathered. The tension in the air was thick, but it wasn’t from the murder-no, it was from the fact that Ashley was here, and I had no idea how to deal with that.
“Come join us, Steve,” Freya invited, her tone light, but I could see the worry in her eyes.
“No, Freya, I’m fine. Get the car ready, Liam. I’m leaving for the office soon.” My voice was firm. There was no time for leisure.
“You just got married yesterday,” Freja pointed out, her voice light with amusement.
“Yeah, if you were even the tiniest bit romantic, you’d be on a honeymoon with your bride now,” she teased, but there was no humor in my eyes.
“Honeymoon?” I scoffed, brushing aside the notion. “I have no time for such unimportant things.”
Ashley didn’t speak, but I could feel her gaze on me, distant, disconnected. “I support that,” she said quickly, but I knew it wasn’t genuine. She was just scared. “There’s no need for a honeymoon.”
My gaze fixed on her. “Get dressed,” I said, turning to ascend the stairs.
“Me? W-why?” Her voice faltered, and I could hear the fear creeping in.
“We’re going to the office tonight,” I said, my tone cold and final. I didn’t need to explain. It was a command. “And I don’t want to hear any objections. I’ll be leaving in twenty Five minutes. Don’t make me wait.”
******
Ashley’s POV
I slumped into the chair, my head falling to the table as I let out a groan.
Freya’s voice was soft, almost sympathetic. “Don’t be sad, Ashley. I think this is a good idea. You’ll get to spend more time with him, get closer.”
“Closer?” I looked up at her, frustration boiling over. “How am I supposed to survive being around that psychopath? He… he ripped someone’s heart out right in front of me, Freya. A heart!”
Freja’s expression hardened, as if she were expecting this. “It’s not that bad. He’s done worse.”
“What?!” I could hardly breathe.
“Calm down, Ashley,” Freya soothed. “You’re stronger than this. You’ll get through it.”
I sighed, the reality of my situation pressing down on me. “Prepare my coffin now, just in case.”
Freya laughed lightly, but there was no humor in it for me. “You’ll be fine. Just go get ready. You don’t want him coming to find you, especially if you make him wait.”
I stood up, my head heavy with dread. “Where’s my luggage?”
“Freja packed your things last night,” Freya said.
I froze. “What? Steven’s room?”
Freya nodded. “You’re married now. You’re supposed to be in the same room.”
I recoiled. “I don’t want to be in the same room with him. Please… can you get my things from his room?”
“I’ve got to go, Ashley. The movie’s starting soon.” Freya gave me a sympathetic look and ran off.
I stood there for a moment, panic flooding through me. How was I supposed to get my stuff now?
Liam and Roy were no help, shaking their heads. “Not getting involved between you two,” they said, before disappearing.
I didn’t have much of a choice. I tiptoed toward Steven’s room, praying he wasn’t inside.
I pressed my ear against the door and heard the sound of running water-he was in the shower.
“Thank you, God!” I whispered, easing the door open as quietly as possible.
The room was massive, luxurious-and if it weren’t for the urgency of the moment, I might’ve marveled at it.
Finally, I found my luggage. Just as I turned to leave, a voice stopped me cold.
“Going somewhere?”
I froze, my heart nearly stopping.
There he was, standing in front of me, dripping wet, wearing nothing but a towel.
“Ahhh!” I screamed, dropping the luggage in shock.