Chapter Chapter Sixteen - Ashley's P.O.V
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The frustrating day had dragged on as typically expected. Zac was still in a weird mood, but I wisely decided to let it go and not press him about it. I knew Zac inside and out and knew he would ultimately tell me what was on his mind.
We didn’t have secrets, and I hoped we never would. I had prayed to the Goddess more than once today that tonight would be the night that Zac found his mate. I knew it would shatter my soul. It was inevitable, though, and I just wanted to rip the band-aid off already and initiate the healing process.
To me, it made sense, no matter how much it would undoubtedly hurt. I wasn’t confident I would be capable of controlling myself once he introduced me to his other half. I had thought over the years I would rip her fucking head off in a fit of fierce jealousy, condemning him to a life of unspeakable misery like my own. I wouldn’t do it to him, in any case.
There were what-ifs in my head about finally finding my mate and leaving Zac to die in agony all alone if I did. I mean, I could reject my mate for him, but he would always have a hole in his innocent heart. Moreover, there was a genuine fear of him naturally resenting me and my actions any time I thought I could intentionally destroy his mate.
Zac loathing me would be a lifetime of eternal misery. A life I could never desire for myself. I have always wanted him in my life. No matter how much it hurt. I took in a shuddering breath, squaring my shoulders as I made my conscious decision. No, I would not stand in his way. I would accept my penance for the part I played with falling in love with an unmated male.
I huffed as I pushed myself off the bed where I had been staring at my sleek black gown for over an hour. As I stood, I had to allow my eyes to adjust to my surrounding. How long had I been lost in anxious thought, I wondered sadly. As my eyes adjusted to the harsh light of the room, Callie come forward.
“Remember your promise Ashley,” Callie said, rising to her nimble feet. “I do, Callie. We don’t have much time until we must be at the Ball, but I will allow you to speak to Callan before I get ready,” I said with a slight smile.
Callie merely gave me a mournful smile back and instantly lowered her head in apparent defeat. “I’m sorry, Ashley,” She said in a low-pitched voice. “Don’t be Callie. I always knew this was going to happen the moment I touched him,” I choked back, swiping at the tears that fell from my eyes.
“Zac, can you meet me in the forest behind the packhouse in 10 minutes, please,” I said using the mind-link. At first, there was no reply, and I naturally wondered if Zac had intentionally blocked me. I was just about to ask again when he spoke. “Sure, Ashley, I was just about to suit up, but I will see you soon”, He said, promptly ending the mind-link.
Fifteen minutes passed before I observed Zac hurrying along with the carefully manicured back lawn that separated the packhouse and vast forest behind it. He had the same scowl on his face that he had worn all day. When Zac observed me gently leaning against a huge pine tree, it was swiftly replaced by a genuine grin.
“Hey Ash,” he called softly as he stealthily approached me like a tiger. I naturally loved his animalistic side; it drove Callie and me wild. The look in his eye was mischievous as he closed the distance between us. I couldn’t think when he looked at me like that. It was unnerving how much his commanding presence powerfully affected me.
Even Callie was standing to attention, wagging her long fluffy tail in genuine appreciation. Zac didn’t stop in front of me. Instead he pressed himself into me, gently forcing me up against the rough bark of the tree.
He leaned into the crook of my neck and inhaled sharply, nipping at the sensitive skin before flicking his tongue along it. The pleasant sensation of his actions had me shuddering with irresistible desire. The sultry heat was pooling between my legs, and my breath hitched. How did one person have so much control over my body, I thought with a smirk?
I smilingly shook my head to clear my erotic thoughts and gently forced Zac away from me so that I could think clearly. I took in a shuddering breath. “Zac, I didn’t invite you out here for sex,” I said playfully, swatting his mighty chest. If we had had more time, I would not have said no, I thought with a giggle. ARGH, I was just as bad as him, I thought fondly.
“Aw,” He smilingly replied, pouting, which only made me weaker at the knees at how adorable he looked at the exact moment. “Why are we out here then,” he continued thoughtfully while looking at me enquiringly. I placed both of my eager hands on his chest, permitting them to carefully trace the sleek lines of his firm muscles. “Callie wants to talk to Callan,” I replied, examining his eyes.
Waiting for the moment, he properly registers the dire implications of my words. “Oh” was all he could say, his eyes widening slightly. He reluctantly let out a small puff of air and nodded solemnly at me. I snatched his hand, escorting the both of us deeper into the forest. I wanted to make sure we were truly alone before we shifted.
I knew the conversation between our wolves would not be a pleasant one. The only time our wolves could converse was when we were in our wolf forms; they were free to mind-link one another if their host so desired it. It wasn’t often that it happened, but it was helpful in times like this. It would be more straightforward for the four of us if we were all on the same page today, I thought numbly.
When I felt we were far enough away from prying eyes, I promptly turned to Zac and shifted without a second conscious thought. He stood carefully looking at me for several anxious minutes before stepping forward and running his calloused hands through my silver fur. The contact had Callie purring like a fucking kitten in no time. I rolled my eyes at her but knew if I weren’t in wolf form, I too would be making similar sounds with his hands on me.
After a few minutes, he willingly allowed Callan to come forward and plopped down in front of me. I sat appreciating the stunning sandy coloured wolf in front of me for a while before allowing Callie to take control.
The first thing she did was rise to her feet and pad slowly over to Callan and promptly proceeded to place a monstrous slobbery lick up the side of his face. The sight of his fur sticking up in a million directions had me snickering, but I knew it was meant to be an affectionate gesture. Callie worshipped Callan, and I knew with all of my heart that he loved her back.
She looked at him a little longer, and when he didn’t move, she plopped down right beside him, so close she was virtually on top of him. She swivelled her head to the side, letting her face rest in his neck. We both sighed with content at being so close to Zac and Callan, enjoying the physical contact.
I nodded grimly at Callie, letting her know it was time to talk to Callan. Neither Zac nor I would be privy to their conversation, so I hoped that Callie knew precisely what she was going to say and that she let me in on the discussion afterwards. I knew we didn’t have much time as we would need to be ready for the Ball before 7 pm, and the sun had already started to set on the horizon.
“Callan,” I said attentively. Regretting the way my voice betrayed me. I didn’t want to be weak around him. “Yes, Callie,” He replied instantly. “The last few days, I have felt weird, like mate is close by,” I said gravely. I knew we didn’t have very long to speak to one another, so I didn’t beat about the bush. I sincerely wanted to let him know straight away why I had asked to talk to him.
“I thought I sensed something wrong”, Callan spoke softly, I wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue, but at last he spoke, ” I scented mate last night. I think she is here. Zac doesn’t want to admit it or let Ashley go, though, so I don’t know what to do or how to feel,” he admitted thoughtfully. All I could do was gasp in genuine surprise.
Ashley and I knew it was almost a certainty that Zac would find his mate tonight, but it still hurt. “I love you and Ashley,” he continued earnestly with an audible sigh. “We love you and Zac too Callan. It is going to kill us both to let you go, but we know we must do it,” I replied gently through choked sobs.
To an outsider, all they would see would be two wolves lazing in the last sun rays of the day. If only they knew our turmoil and the reality of the situation, I thought wistfully. I didn’t want to be weak. Ashley was a warrior, and at present, I felt like a loser, crying about losing Zac and Callan to their mate.
“Please be strong for Zac and reassure him that Ashley and I desire what is best for both of you,” I said. “As long as you promise me to do the same with Ashley if you two find your mate also. I have been praying all day that tonight is your night. I don’t want Zac to go through tonight alone. It is going to break him and Ashley,” he said softly.
My throat was suddenly dry. I didn’t reply. I just leaned into Callan’s muscled shoulder more, gently rubbing my head along his strong shoulder and shapely neck, purring softly into his gorgeous coat. A loud, satisfied rumble left his chest as he gave in to the pleasurable sensations my rubbing caused him, and before I perceived what was happening, I was pinned beneath him with his hot breath nipping at my exposed neck. Callan didn’t wait for my necessary approval; he could smell it.
After Callan and I had mated, I allowed myself to shift back to human form. Callan followed suit shortly after. The first thing Ashley did was inhale sharply. I naturally tried to hide the red blush that was creeping over my face. I tucked my tail between my legs and turned away from her, slinking as far out into her conscious mind as I could with a sly grin.
“Callie did you and Callan...” Zac completed the sentence for me “mate,” he replied instantly with a hearty chuckle. I looked fondly at Zac with mock horror! Why did their actions feel like a goodbye, I wondered.
Callie, what did you and Callan talk about? I enquired. She didn’t bother replying. Stubborn bitch I thought, gently shaking my head. She knew I would have naturally wanted to know what they had talked about.
Looking up into the luminous sky and noticing the moon rising, I knew I didn’t have time to try and pry the information from her, so I seized Zac’s hand once again and led him from the forest as fast as I could.
I didn’t care when several people observed us naked, striding from the forest back towards the packhouse. It would at least take their eyes off her visible injuries and scars that snaked around her body like a permanent ugly reminder of Alpha Dante. “Umm Ash, we are naked, and people are staring,” Zac said with amusement.“Let them look. It seems I am always on their minds anyway. Why not give them a show,” I replied promptly. “Because you will be Luna soon”, Zac replied thoughtfully with a gentle laugh. SHIT. The man had a point. I rapidly shifted, barreling towards the back doors. We both hurried inside, going our separate ways to get ready for the most dreadful night our my life.
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