Chapter 27

Cirilla's Point Of View

As soon as I was done with my breakfast, I took the tray and made my way to the kitchen. The mansion seemed a little busy, and crowded. I wondered if something was going on.

I made my way to the kitchen, trying my best to ignore the silent stares that seemed to be sent my way when I was not looking, and also the weird manner people would stop walking when I was next to them, only to lower their heads to me.

I reached the kitchen, and it was a little crowded with some familiar faces I was acquainted with at the pack. Some were busy cleaning the kitchen while some were at the large table, having breakfasts and chatting. But everywhere went silent the instant their eyes took me in and as if on cue, in unison, they bared their head forward, bowing at me. This wasn't only awkward, it was fucking uncomfortable. I was almost confused at the drastic change in everyone's behavior towards me, but deep down I think I know why.

A young female hurried up to me, collecting the tray from my hands.

"I'll take care of this," She smiled, brightly, not even meeting my gaze as she hurried to the sink.

"Well, thank you," I muttered behind her, feeling really uncomfortable.

"Hey, Ci," Trish waved her hand to me as she was having her breakfast with the others.

I joined them and didn't miss the amused, interesting stare she glued on me.

"What?" I quirked a brow, pouring a glass of water for myself.

"Nothing," She bit out smiling, swallowing her food. "I'm just shocked how come no one could have suspected you were Alpha Asher's mate," She said, still smiling as I guided my slender arms on the table. "Fuck, everyone was so shocked to find out it was you,"

"Yeah, I can see that," I stressed, sending my gaze around, catching a few stares sent my way.

"Sorry about that. But you can't entirely blame us. Some of us are just shocked, and…" She was still grinning from ear to ear. "... excited," She added, "While others are still mourning their loss,"

I furrowed my eyes, questioningly, and leaned forward. "There was a long list of females hoping that one day, they would have a chance with the Alpha," She was whispering, even though I wondered why. Everyone was literally listening to us right now.

I simply hummed at her words, ignoring the surprising rage that began to crawl under my skin at her words, even the persistent voice in my head was gnashing in rage. I pushed the glass of water aside, it suddenly tasted bad in my mouth.

"What about Lyra?" I decided to change the subject since I hadn't seen her, wondering if she had also left with the others earlier this morning.

"She left with the team," She pushed her plate aside, and I nodded, feeling my curiosity grow deeper about the urgent matter they had to tend to, but I pushed it away, pulling up from my seat.

"Do you know where Asher is?" I asked, and thankfully, she had an idea. He was in the woods. She wanted to take me there, but I'd rather navigate myself there.

I left the mansion, walking out into the clear day. The sun was high up, its warmth rays, soaking me in as I ambled towards the woods. The place looked perfectly fine, like nothing of a sort disaster happened here last night.

I ventured into the woods, having no idea where to even begin in looking for Asher, but somehow I felt confident I would find him. I walked deep into the woods, and my legs stopped when I reached the part of the woods that seemed different like in a 'something bad happened' kind of way.

Cracks were running deep into the earth, and scattered around the woods. Trees, lots of them, splintered from their trunks. What the fuck happened here?

The more I moved around, I could hear distant voices talking close by and I recognized Asher's deep voice. I followed his voice, avoiding the disaster around.

I continued to follow Asher and the other voices, and to my surprise, they weren't as close off as I thought. After a minute or two of walking, Asher's large figure came into view. He was wearing only his gray pants from earlier, in the company of Wren and several people. A few I recognized as warriors, and the others were much older.

I stopped beside a tree, watching them from afar. They were in a serious conversation. I strained my ears to listen and focussed on Asher's voice alone. They were talking about some kind of creature. They were not sure exactly what or who it was, but from the little my ears could pick up, it was responsible for the disaster around the pack.

I subconsciously leaned against the tree, glancing up to where everyone was gathered in a serious discussion to see Asher's green directed towards me. I also do not fail to notice the surprise in them.

After a few minutes, he began to stride to where I was, still fucking shirtless. I couldn't even attempt to tear my gaze away from his damned body. His smooth skin, broad shoulders, large arms, rippled muscles, and hard abs had my insides going crazy and my skin burned hot. He joined me under the shade, his eyes peering down at me.

I cleared my throat, finding the strength to look away from him. "Do you think whatever did this is still here?" I turned to him again, focussing hard on his face instead.

"Not if they have a death wish," Asher responded, taking a few steps closer to me, but before he could get dangerously close to me, I stylishly pulled away, standing opposite to him. Asher slowly leaned into the tree, staring at me intently. "With this much disaster caused, something bad could have happened to any of my people, and whatever that is invaded my territory and posed a threat to the safety of everyone here," He spoke, calmly but anyone could see his rage.

His words and deep voice sent a shiver down my spine, causing me to shudder even under the sun with my arms crossed against my chest.

"Fuck, I'm sorry—"

"You shouldn't be. You are right, you should find whatever caused this," I muttered, honestly.

"And I will,"

I was about to ask how, but he pulled away from the tree, stalking me.

"A friend of mine will be coming to help. She's a witch from the pack I grew up in, and hopefully, we will get a lead on something," Asher stopped before me, and I kept nodding at his words, even though I wasn't paying attention to a word he was saying.

"That's super good. Why don't we head back now," I turned around to the direction I had come from.

"Trish said you were looking for me," That should have sounded like a statement, but weirdly, I felt a question in them.

I turned sideways fast enough to catch the amusement in his eyes.

"Yeah. I was wondering when Lyra would be back," I said, and he still had that amused spark in his eyes.

"They will be back in a day or two," He said, and I sighed softly.

"Too bad, I wanted to see her before leaving," I voiced, and the smirk instantly fell off from his lips.