Chapter 4

" "Y-you want to leave?"

"Only for 6 months, until the ceremony. Cass, this is my only chance to be free before I become queen." She sighs, but I can tell she understands.

"Then I'm coming."

"No, I don't want you to be in serious trouble like I will." Maybe I shouldn't have told her.

"I-" I was about to object but she glares at me, making me give in, "Fine."

"I am bringing Ryder too." I whip my head around.

"No, you coming is enough. I don't want many people to know about this."

She managed to get me to agree. It did make sense after she explained it, we would need a warrior wolf to help protect us, not like I need protecting, so her. Even though both Ash and I were warrior wolves, she still insisted that it would also help us in case we run into vamps.

I eventually found Ash behind the waterfall at the edge of the border.

"Ash."

He was sitting against the stone, looking up at the falling water, "Hey Stel."

I walk over and sit beside him, my back against the cold stone. There was mist in Asher's chestnut hair, and his green eyes sparkled from the water.

Asher and I look so similar we could be twins, the only difference is that I have a few freckles on my nose and one of my eyes are golden, but it is not just the looks that are similar, we also get each other.

"Father had no right to do that." I look over at him, but he keeps his eyes on the water and shrugs.

"The thing about Dad is that, if there is something he disagrees with, he will never agree to it later on. He gets so stubborn; it surprises me it has not hurt the packs."

"You shouldn't listen to him; you are a great warrior wolf and make better choices than I ever will." He sighs, and I readjust my feet.

"It is not like that will do anything." He is not even going to try.

"Why? Stop being a downer, at least talk to me, please?" He finally looks at me, I can easily see the same pain that he was hiding earlier, and a miniscule amount of anger.

"Don't you see Stella? I can't!"

"Why? Why can't you?!"

"Because I found my mate, okay!? I never wanted to tell you because of how upset you have been because you haven't found yours. I have been hiding this because you have been so over the top with the whole 'I don't want to be queen' crap that you barely talk to me anymore. Don't you see Stella? Don't you see how hard you have made it for everyone?"

I had nothing to say, I couldn't think of anything to say. He was right, I have been so tied up with royal shit that I haven't even noticed how hurt Ash has been.

It makes me feel so guilty, I mean I am, but I need to make it up to him if I ever will be able to.

"Ash, why don't you come with me." I look down at the ground, not wanting to make eye contact.

"Where? Back home? Yeah, no thanks." He begins to stand up, but I grab his shirt before he can leave.

"No, the opposite, Cassy, her mate and I are leaving the packs." He swigs around and looks at me. I look up at him with my head still facing the ground.

"For how long?" He sits back down, completely facing me.

"6 months." I trace circles on my jeans.

"Until the ceremony? You are going to be queen?" He looks hopeful, but I shrug.

"I have no choice, like you said, I need to stop resisting. I want to see outside the packs before I am stuck here forever."

He pats the top of my head, "Then I'll come."

"Before I let you, who is your mate?

He sighs and runs his hand over his face. "I met her last week, she is a wolf named Allison, she is in Forrest pack." He scratches the back of his head.

"So, did you talk to her?"

"We already started dating. Do you mind if she comes too?"

"Not at all."