Ashley’s POV
The pale light of dawn crept into the sky, breaking the oppressive darkness of the night. Relief flooded me as I opened my eyes and stretched, the stiffness in my muscles from the previous day slowly easing.
“Yes! Finally! Let’s go home!” I exclaimed, standing up and brushing the dirt off my clothes.
Steven, who had been leaning against a tree, stood up with a groan. “You seem unusually happy to see the morning,” he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
“After everything that happened yesterday, this sunrise feels like a blessing,” I replied with a grin.
Steven raised an eyebrow. “Spending a whole night alone with you almost made it the worst night of my life,” he said with a smirk as he started walking ahead.
“Trust me, the feeling is mutual,” I retorted, jogging to catch up with him.
As we walked, the silence of the early morning surrounded us. The occasional rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds were the only sounds accompanying our steps.
We had been walking for what felt like hours, but no cab appeared in sight. Frustration bubbled inside me, and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “If only you’d remembered to bring your phone. We could’ve called Liam to pick us up. Now we’re stranded with no phone and no cabs.”
Steven shot me a glare. “Oh, I’m sorry. Next time I’ll ignore Freja screaming in my ear that you’re in trouble and focus on grabbing my phone instead of saving your life.”
I stopped in my tracks, surprised. “You forgot your phone because you were worried about me?”
Steven scoffed. “Worried? Hardly. I was worried about myself. If anything happened to you, it would weaken me because of this bond. Your weakness makes me vulnerable, and I hate that.”
His words hit me like a slap, and guilt twisted in my chest. I hadn’t considered how our bond might be affecting him. Steven used to be this invincible Alpha, a force to be reckoned with. Now, because of me-a mere human-he had a weak point.
I was his weak point.
I made him vulnerable.
No wonder he hated me.
Finally, we spotted a payphone on the side of the road. Steven strode over and dialed Liam’s number. After a curt exchange, he hung up.
“Liam’s on his way,” he said gruffly, not even sparing me a glance as he leaned against the phone booth.
******
When we finally arrived back at the mansion, the door swung open, and Freya and Freja came rushing out.
“Ashley!” Freja cried, throwing her arms around me.
“Why did you run away like that? We were so worried!” Freya added, hugging me tightly.
“I’m so sorry, guys,” I said, my voice trembling. “Running away like that was foolish, and I regret it. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Freya pulled back, looking me in the eyes. “You better keep that promise. If you ever get tired of us, go to Mabel’s. Don’t just disappear like that.”
“I won’t,” I assured them, hugging them both again.
Steven, who had been standing silently behind us, finally spoke. “Don’t thank me for finding her. I’m already regretting it,” he muttered before heading upstairs.
“Ignore him,” Freja said with a dismissive wave. “You know he’s always grumpy.”
“Yeah, I know,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Excuse me for a moment.”
I followed Steven upstairs, pausing at his door.
He looked up from unbuttoning his shirt. “Is there a problem?”
I hesitated. “No, I just… Can I spend the day with my mom at the hospital?”
He shrugged. “As long as you don’t pull another disappearing act.”
“Thank you,” I said softly.
I lingered by the door, and Steven raised an eyebrow. “Anything else?”
“Yes. I just… I wanted to thank you for saving me last night,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I know I’m just a weak human, and being bonded to me makes you vulnerable. I promise not to do anything reckless again.”
Steven’s expression softened for a brief moment, but he quickly masked it. “Okay,” he said simply before disappearing into the bathroom.
******
Freja’s POV
Boredom was a terrible thing. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing for something-anything-to happen.
Steven had gone to the office. Luna was at the hospital. Roy and Williams were training with the wolves. And Freya and Liam… Well, they weren’t even talking to each other. Something must have happened between them last night.
“If only James had agreed to meet today,” I muttered.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
“Hello?”
“I finished my surgery early. You still want to meet up?”
“James?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
“You promised to show me how it feels to be happy, remember? Meet me at the hospital parking lot. Don’t keep me waiting,” he said before hanging up.
Excitement bubbled inside me. I jumped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom.
******
Ashley’s POV
At the hospital, I found Mabel waiting for me.
“I’m so sorry for the mess I caused yesterday,” I said, guilt evident in my voice.
“It’s okay,” Mabel said with a kind smile. “Just don’t do something like that again. Remember, I’m always here for you. You can tell me anything.”
I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for her understanding.
In my mom’s room, I sat by her bed, taking her frail hand in mine.
“Hi, Mom,” I whispered. “I heard you can hear me now. That would’ve been such good news if it didn’t mean…” My voice broke, and tears welled up in my eyes.
“I’m sorry for being a stubborn daughter. If you wake up, I promise I’ll listen to you. I’ll do whatever you say.”
Memories of my childhood flooded back. “Remember when a wolf bit Leon in the woods? You taught me that trick-counting to seven for seven times. I did that yesterday, Mom. And it worked.”
The door creaked open, and I turned to see Steven walking in.
“Steven? What are you doing here? I thought you were at the office.”
“I had a promise to keep,” he said. “Are you ready to see your mom awake?”
“Now?” I stammered, my heart racing.
Steven nodded. “She might only be awake for a few minutes, so make it count.”
He took my mom’s hand and closed his eyes. Black veins crept from her arm to his, and he groaned in pain.
“Steven, are you okay?” I asked, panic rising as he began to tremble.
“Steven!”
“Mom?”
Her eyes fluttered open.
“Mom!” I cried, throwing my arms around her.
“My daughter,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I said.
Steven’s groan brought me back to reality. Blood trickled from his nose, and he collapsed onto the floor.
“We don’t have much time,” Mom said, her voice urgent. “You are destined for extraordinary things, Ashley. But you must be careful. The Skin and Blisters will come for you.”
“The Skin and Blisters?” I asked, confused.
“You are more powerful than you know. You must train, become strong. Don’t end up like me.”
“Mom, what are you-”
She cupped my face with her hand. “I love you, Ashley. Never forget that.”
Her hand dropped, and her eyes closed.
“Mom! No!” I screamed, shaking her.
A loud thud drew my attention. Steven lay unconscious on the floor, his breathing shallow.
“Steven!”