Chapter 42
ASHER’S POV
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, running my hand through my hair in frustration. The events of the evening weigh heavily on my mundan try to make sense of everything that has happened. Raya has me completely thrown off my game.
My wolf, Ryder, has been acting strangely
that I must get to the bottom of this
some time now, growls at me from within. I can feel its anger and trustration, but I ignore it, knowing
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I mutter under my breath, glaring at my reflection
“I should be asking you the same thing my wolf retorts, its voice echoing in my mind.
“You were far too soft with that girl” I snap, my temper flas
flaring
“She’s different,” my wolf insists, its voice more insistent now.
“Different” I scott. “She’s our enemy, for crying out loud! We can’t afford to let our guard down around her
“She’s not like the
‘s not like the others” my wolf insists, and I can feel its eagerness to be released, to take control and seek out the girl once more.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I know that my wolf’s instincts are strong, but I cannot let it take over completely. Not when the stakes are so high
I can’t keep doing this” I mutter, more to myself than to my wolf.
You have to face it, Asher,” my wolf growls. “You’re drawn to her. And if you’re not careful, she’ll be the death of us”
I shake my head, unwilling to accept that my wolf may be right. “I won’t let that happen.” I vow, my tone firm.
“Good,” my wolf replies, and I can feel its satisfaction.
But even as I turn away from the mirror, I know that the battle is far from over. My wolf’s desires are powerful, and I fear that I may not be strong enough to resist them forever. Only time will tell if I am truly in control, or if my wolf will one day take over completely.
I walked outside and was immediately greeted by the chilly air, a refreshing contrast to the heated conversation I had just had with my wolf. The rain had just stopped falling, leaving the world around me feeling fresh and renewed Drops of water still clung to the leaves of trees, glistening in the fading light of the day.
I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with the crisp, cool air. The scent of wet earth and greenery was strong, and the petrichor was almost overwhelming. It was a smell that always seemed to soothe my mind, reminding me of my childhood and the hours I spent playing in the rain with my siblings.
The sky overhead was a deep shade of blue, and the sun was setting, casting the world in a warm, orange glow. The clouds were dark and heavy, a sure sign that the rain wasn’t completely over yeL
I walked towards the edge of the forest, where the trees were thicker and the undergrowth was more dense. The path was muddy and slick, the remnants of the rain that had only just ended. I walked carefully, taking care not to slip on the wet leaves and mad.
As I walked, I heard the distant sound of a stream, the rushing water a gentle backdrop to the sullness of the forest. The birds were beginning to settle down for the night, their calls growing quieter and more infrequent.
The forest was alive with the sounds of life, from the rustling
ng of leaves to the chirping of insects. It was a calming and peaceful place, a haven from the chaos of the outside world.
I stood there for a moment, taking it all in, feeling the cool air on my skin and the scent of the forest in my nostrils. It was a moment of perfect peace, a rare moment of tranquility in a world that was constantly in motion. And for that brief moment, everything was okay.
As I stood there, gazing out into the vast expanse of the forest, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness.
The previous night’s battle had been brutal, and we had lost many of our own. The thought of my loyal guards being taken away from me in such a
brutal manner was almost too much to bear
I didn’t even hear Caden approach me from behind until he tapped my shoulder. “It’s time, Alpha Asher,” he said somberly, gesturing towards the bodies that lay waiting to be burned.
I bearded myself mentally wondering what would have happened if that was a rogue snaking up on me. It would have been the death of me for
fure.
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10:18 PM d
Chapter 42
I nodded silently and turned to follow him, my heart heavy with grief. As we walked towards the pyre, I couldn’t help but notice how moody I was feeling. The weight of the loss was bearing down on me heavily, and 1 could feel my wolf growling within me, restless and agitated.
The rain from the night before had stopped, and the air was crisp and cold, making me shiver involuntarily. The scent of the petrichor filled my nostrils, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. The forest was quiet, as if mourning with me for the loss of our comrades.
As we approached the pyre, I saw that the bodies of the fallen guards had been laid out respectfully, each with a small bouquet of flowers beside them. My heart clenched in my chest, and I felt a sense of rage building within me. The senseless loss of life was almost too much to bear.
There were seven of them, exactly like the genral had predicted.
I stood there in silence for a few moments, just taking it all in. I could feel Caden standing beside me, his presence a comfort in the midst of the chaos. Finally, I tumed to him and spoke.
“Did you
receive any kind of information prior to this incident? I would like to know.”
He shook his head in response, glaring me at strangely.
I stood in front of the pyre and cleared my throat, trying to gather my thoughts. I spoke in a low, solemn voice, addressing the Moon goddess and asking her to guide the spirits of the fallen warriors to the afterlife.
“Moon goddess, hear our prayer, I began. “We ask that you guide the spirits of these fallen warriors to the next world. May they find peace in your embrace and be remembered for their courage and sacrifice.”
Caden stepped forward with the torch, and I reached out to take it. The flame flickered and danced in the wind, casting long shadows across the clearing. I took a deep breath and approached the pyre.
The bodies of the warriors lay still and silent, wrapped in blankets and adorned with flowers. I placed the torch on the edge of the pyre and. watched as the fire slowly caught, licking up the sides of the blankets and engulfing the bodies in flames
The heat was intense, and 1 could feel the heat of the flames on my skin. I watched as the flames consumed the bodies of the fallen warriors, sending their spirits soaring towards the sky. The smoke rose up in thick plumes, and the scent of burning wood and flesh filled the air.
My heart seemed to be heavy with sorrow, but I knew that the fallen warriors had died with honor, fighting for the pack and the Moon goddess. Their sacrifice would not be forgotten, and their memory would live on in our hearts and minds for generations to come.
As the flames burned down to ashes, I stepped back from the pyre, feeling a sense of closure and peace. The spirits of the fallen warriors were now free, and their sacrifice had been honored. I turned and walked away from the pyre, my thoughts consumed with grief and sorrow for the loss of our brave soldiers.
The scene of the burning pyre had attracted a large number of people from the pack. The mournful sounds of crying and wailing filled the air as the families of the dead warriors cried out for their loved ones. I stood in silence, watching as the fire consumed the bodies of my fallen soldiers. The smell of smoke and burning flesh filled my nostrils, and I felt a lump form in my throat.
The families of the warriors stood huddled together, wrapped in furs to ward off the chill of the evening air. Their faces were etched with pain and loss, and the tears that streamed down their faces glistened in the light of the fire. I knew their grief all too well having lost many of my own family members to battles in the past.
As I watched, my heart went out to them, and I felt a sense of guilt wash over me. These warriors had died fighting for me and my pack, and now their families were left to grieve their loss. I knew that I had to honor their sacrifice by doing everything in my power to protect my pack and ensure that no more lives were lost needlessly.
I turned to Caden, who stood by my side, his face somber and his eyes fixed on the burning pyre. We exchanged a silent nod, both knowing that we had a duty to our pack and our fallen warriors.
As the fire died down and the last embers flickered out, I turned to the families of the dead warriors. “May the Moon goddess guide your loved ones to the afterlife,” I said, my voice soft but steady. “Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we will honor their memory by continuing to fight for our pack.”
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