18. What Was That

Alex's POV

The last thing I saw before I passed out was the crowd of vampires parting and just a glimpse of Ash's face imprinted in my memory.

***

I awoke with a shock, feeling Ash's arms keeping me in place. I looked around and recognized the tent back in Newfolk. Knowing I was trapped there, I relaxed into his warm chest. It was safe here; I was safe as long as I was with him. He was my rock.

Finally he stirred, releasing his grip and sitting up.

"Ewww we have school today," he complained, his bed head absolutely adorable.

"Fix your hair, dork," I stated without even thinking about it.

"Oh hush, you," he responded playfully, trying to flatten the mess that was his head. He wasn't very successful, so I reached up to help him.

I accidentally tugged on a knot in his hair which pulled it roughly. I was expecting him to be in pain, but instead he moaned quietly. I knew if I could see his face he would be blushing hard from the noise.

Once it finally settled, we sat facing each other. A light blush tainted his perfect cheeks, so I subconsciously leaned in. His lips barely brushed mine before someone busted into the tent. I looked at the entrance to see Kailey.

"Hey, there's these two vampires by the entrance saying something about apologizing to your mate. You want me to let 'em in, or nah?"

Ash sighed. "Fine," he grumbled.

His arms once again pulled me in protectively, just to be sure nothing would happen. I hope nothing will, he deserves his family. They stepped into the area, their eyes speaking their apologies.

His father spoke first, his voice full of pent up hope. "I'm sorry, son. What I did was stupid, and I should have talked to him before I jumped to conclusions."

"Yeah, you should've," Ash snarled bitterly, his deep voice rumbling his chest against my back.

"P-please, son. We can't lose you again," he pleaded, shocking me. It must have hurt his pride to beg, but he did it anyway.

Ash remained quiet, clearly pondering his choice thoroughly. I knew he was questioning only for my sake since if he wasn't he would've just said yes already, so I lifted my face as much as I could and gave him a quick peck on his hard chin.

"I'll forgive you, but I'll never be able to forget. If you do any more harm to him I won't hesitate to end our exchanges together."

They both seemed to sigh in unspoken relief at his words. His mother turned to me sadly, simply saying, "I'm so sorry for what we subjected you to, deary."

I smiled back at her to communicate my forgiveness.

"We have to go to school," Ash declared, picking me up. His parents left, so he started to change his clothes right before my eyes.

"Seriously, right there is where you decided to change," I whispered fiercely.

"Yep! Feel free to borrow my clothes."

I turned to the small pile laying by the back of the tent and picked up a shirt and shorts. The shirt was a little short, but I covered it up using the hoodie he gave me when we first met in the woods.

We stepped out and walked to school hand in hand.

***

I sat in first block a taking a test when the ring I wore began to feel warm against my finger. I looked outside of the window to see a storm brewing up, and then back down at my ring to see it glowing blue. I raised my hand swiftly and excused myself, running outside with Ash closely following. In a fit of instinct, I threw my hand up into the air where the sky seemed to connect to my fingertips. At that moment, the rain began pouring down, soaking Ashton and I. I'll have to admit, he looked sexy with his skin wet and his shirt clinging to his chest.

The blue glow began to fizz around us again, encasing us in a place that seemed like our own world. A slip of red slid out from around his eyes as he approached me, his arm outstretched. As soon as he touched my arm, the storm began to calm while the blue aura around us turned purple. It began to turn redder while the storm slowed around us and the sun began to show. Eventually I managed to drag my hand from its upward position, halting the storm and breaking the aura completely.

We locked eyes silently, and it was needless to say that he was just as shocked as I was.

"What was that?" he asked, looking me in the eyes.

"I have no idea."

"You don't know? You just summoned a storm with your hand!"

"Well technically it was already brewing, I just helped it get stronger."

His expression softened, and then he suddenly commented, "it looked really hot though. You still look smokin'."

I felt a blush begin to creep up on my cheeks, and quickly shot back a, "I could say the same for you. We need to get back inside or the teacher will write us up for skipping."

While he was confused as to why we were soaked, the teacher thankfully didn't write us up. The rest of the day passed without incident, but while we walked through the woods the worst thing happened.

Winston intercepted our walk, grabbing me by the wrist and pulling me off to the side.

"Why the fuck are you walking through the woods with him? I don't understand why you're so attached to Ashton!" he yelled.

"For the last time, he is my mate!"

"You can't have a boy mate! It's not possible."

"Yeah, well apparently it is because I do."

At that moment Ash came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He put his face in my neck and aimed his eyes at Winny.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked nonchalantly.

"You are!"

I released a loud growl at that comment. He could beat me down, but once he started attacking Ash he was going to get it.

"Your dad wants you back in the pack now, Alex," he stated.

"Absolutely not."

"You don't have a choice."

"Yes I do, and my choice is no. I'm not coming back, not now, not ever. Being away from there made me realize how much of a crap-hole it is."

"But-"

"No. Go away, bish."

I took Ash's hand and waltzed out of there like the flicking princess I was. Darn, that was gay.

Once we were far away, Ash hugged me strongly. "That was so good, baby," he praised happily, his words sinking into me.

I suddenly heard something behind us and realized that Winston had followed us to see where we were going. He was probably going to report it back to my father, so I grabbed Ash's hand and began pulling him towards my alley. He didn't even question it and followed me just like that was where we were going the whole time. We went behind the dumpster and sat down.

"What the hell?" he breathed.

"Winston was following us and I didn't want him to find the coven."

"Oh. We'll stay here for tonight then."

We talked about random things until I got tired beyond belief.

"Goodnight," Ash whispered before I sank into a calm sleep.