Ashley’s POV
“Steven, no! Please, don’t go!” My voice broke as I reached out, my fingers brushing against his arm before he stepped out of my reach. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat hammering out the fear that tightened my throat.
“I have to go, Luna,” he told me, his voice determined, yet I could feel the weight in it-the silent struggle being waged inside him. “I have to save them.”
I felt a shiver down my spine when those words tumbled from his lips.
I did not get a chance to say anything more, to even step closer to him, when everything around me transformed. The world was engulfed in darkness within a split second, thick and suffocating, pulling me into a realm that was unfamiliar. The warmth of the room was gone, and I was surrounded by an eerie, bone-chilling cold.
I blinked, disoriented, and was standing in the middle of a thick forest. My nose was filled with the scent of wet earth and rotting leaves, and a thick fog churned around my feet like ghostly fingers. My breath hitched as my gaze lifted, drawn irresistibly to the giant, ancient tree before me-its gnarled branches stretched out like arthritic arms, reaching towards the sky.
And then I saw it.
Swinging from the uppermost branch, swaying softly in the wind, was Steven’s severed head. His lifeless eyes stared blankly into the air, his face twisted into a grimace of pain. Blood slowly dripped from his neck, staining the bark beneath him.
A shriek tore from my throat.
“Ahhhhhh!!!”
I sat up in bed with a start, gasping for air, my entire body trembling uncontrollably. My hands clawed at the blankets, my skin damp with cold sweat. The nightmare still had its grip on me, its frozen fingers closing around my brain. My heart was racing in my ears, my chest rising and falling in panicked, uneven breaths.
“Ashley!” Steven’s voice shouted, filled with worry. I was in his arms before I could think, before I could even try to force a word past my lips.
I held on to him as though letting him go would make him vanish, as though the moment I loosened my grip, I would wake up to find my nightmare had realized. I cried tears that fell down my face, wetting his shirt as he stroked my back in calming motions, whispering reassurances.
“What’s wrong, Luna?” he asked again, this time his tone less abrupt but with a thread of concern.
“I. I had a nightmare,” I was able to stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. My body still trembled as he cupped my face, his thumb brushing away the fresh tears falling down my cheeks.
“It was just a dream,” he whispered, his gaze steady, his voice a gentle lifeline trying to pull me back from the storm in my mind. “Don’t let it get you down, Luna.”
I swallowed, my throat dry, and nodded a little.
“It’s only a dream,” I repeated, but inwardly, I wasn’t sure that I believed it.
There was a knock at the door, and we both jumped, snapping me back to the real world. Steven released me cautiously, standing to grab his shirt before heading to open it.
The door swung open, and a voice I knew all too well filled the room.
“Williams!”
“Steven!”
Relief swept through both their voices as they embraced each other tightly. I wiped hastily at my face and joined them, my heart filled with gratitude.
“Luna,” Williams said, nodding slightly, but I ignored the formality and wrapped my arms around him.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I mumbled, hugging him tightly before moving back.
“Not just me,” he said, his voice overcome with emotion. “The whole pack-I’ve brought them with me. They’re outside.”
Steven’s eyes widened, and he didn’t hesitate but ran outside at once.
As we stepped out, I gasped, my breath catching in my throat.
The pack-our people-stood before us, their faces lined with fatigue, relief, and a hint of incredulity. They had been prisoners, captives, their freedom taken from them. And yet, here they were, standing beneath the moonlit sky, their backs no longer bent beneath their captors.
Steven’s gaze swept over them, his expression unreadable. Then his gaze fastened on Williams once more.
“How. how did all of you escape?” His voice held a hint of urgency.
Williams exhaled heavily.
“Freya and James,” he told us. “They came for us.”
My breath hitched.
“Freya and James?” I repeated, my mind struggling to comprehend the words.
“Where are they now?” Steven pressed, strain leaking into his voice.
“They were supposed to meet up with us after they freed everyone,” Williams said, his expression darkening. “But they didn’t. And neither did Roy. I think they’ve been captured by Liam.”
There was a thick, oppressive silence.
Steven’s fists were clenched at his sides, his jaw set, his face darkening into a mask of contained rage. Then, without speaking, he turned on his heel and slammed back into the house.
A terrible shiver crawled up my spine.
“Steven!” I exclaimed, following him in a rush. “Tell me you’re not going to go and do what I think you’re going to do!”
He didn’t answer.
He did not, though, but grabbed his weapons instead, his actions sudden and resolute as he drew on fresh clothes.
“Freya risked her life to save the pack when I was here doing nothing,” he said finally, his voice low and firm. “She took the responsibility that was mine to take. She went in my place. I will not abandon her.”
“I am not asking you to abandon her,” I objected, standing in his way. “But-”
“Then don’t attempt to stop me,” he cut in, his eyes burning with resolve. “I must go, Luna. I must save them.”
A cold wave of fear washed over me.
“That’s what you said in my dream,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Steven, please, if you go, Liam will kill you. He’ll behead you and hang your head on a tree! That’s what I dreamed this morning!” I gasped for breath. “And you know my dreams always come true. They always do.”
Steven sighed, stepping forward to pull me into his arms once more.
“You dreamt about my death before, but I’m still here, aren’t I?” he gently spoke.
“But you almost died that time.” I whispered against his chest.
“Even if there is danger, I cannot remain behind, Ashley,” he firmly stated. “I already lost Freja. I am not going to lose Freya too. So be with me or against me. Either way, I’m going to that Mansion to rescue them.”
I did not have time to say anything more before the door swung open.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Williams said, entering. “But the Alpha will not be going alone, Luna. His Beta will be going with him. I’ll go with him, and I’ll make sure he returns in one piece. That’s a promise.”
Steven turned to him, shaking his head.
“You just got out of there, Williams. You don’t have to go back in. I’ll do this alone.”
Williams squared his shoulders.
“The Beta’s position is always at his Alpha’s side,” he said confidently. “So whether you like it or not, I’m coming along.”
A small sad smile formed on my lips.
“You’ve transferred your stubbornness to Williams, it seems,” I said to him. Then, taking a deep breath, I forced myself to be tough. “Go. Rescue Freya and Roy. But promise me this-one of you comes back alive.”
Steven took my hand.
“We will,” he promised.
As I watched them disappear into the darkness, I turned, steeling my resolve. I would not simply wait and let fate tear him from me.
I picked up the phone.
“I want to see them,” I said. “With The Skin and Blister.”