Chapter 38

Asher's Point Of View

It was way past morning. I was at the field training, trying to get things off my mind, and think clearly. But the exercise wasn't working. I wasn't thinking clearly without this measly emotion called fear crawling its way into my chest.

I just couldn't stop thinking about everything Cirilla had told me last night.

Last night wasn't the first time she had been attacked by wolves. She had encountered them before moving to Beaverton. That scared me. They've been following her and now, they know exactly where to find her.

I groaned, feeling Ryker's relentless pacing at the back of my head as her words kept echoing. The strangest part of it all was someone had saved her that night. Someone she didn't know and wasn't human as well.

She was saved right after by a man in flames. It seemed like he walked out from the flames of hell. From what she told me, it was clear she was saved by a supernatural called the Phoenix. It had to be. But I don't understand why he erased her memory. He didn't want her to remember, why? I was damn curious about that. Well, she remembered and that was good.

I had so many questions burning through me but no answer for them all. This was frustrating.

I took down the last warrior with force before strolling out of the field with my body glistening with sweat.

I went to the training room and washed up quickly, getting dressed in fresh clothes. I had a lot to figure out.

*****

Cirilla's Point Of View

"Wait Ci, one more question. What's your favorite color?" I heard Lyra's voice bellow behind me as I left her room.

"Pick whatever color you like," I yelled over my shoulder as I successfully escaped her room, making my way to the kitchen for some water.

I love Lyra so much but being cooped up in a room, making unending plans for a party was definitely not me in the slightest.

I know she was doing all of these to get our minds off what happened last night, and I appreciated it. But it wasn't working. I couldn't sleep after my conversation with Asher last night, especially everything he had told me thereafter about the man in flames who saved me. A phoenix. That was what he was. I didn't even know that was a thing. I had to look it up.

A phoenix had saved me and then wanted me to forget what had happened and I had no idea why. I didn't know why those wolves were after me either or what they wanted or who the hell Conrad was. The wolf had said something about me being a source. To what exactly? Where did I fit in all of this?

The only person who had answers to all of this was Mum, and at this point, I had no choice but to see her again, regretfully.

My birthday was three days away and frankly, deep down it felt nice to do something different from the monotonous, exhausting, and frustrating way I had always marked the day for seventeen years. It had always been horrible, and each year reminded me of my lonely and cursed existence.

So for the first time, I do love the change, but choosing themes for the party, picking dresses, and going shopping was as frustrating as it gets.

I was at the bottom of the stairs when I noticed the splatter of blood that was almost everywhere. My heartbeat quickened as I descended the stairs, following the trail to the kitchen.

"Did something happen?" My voice almost echoed, entering the large kitchen but there was no soul there. There was blood on the kitchen marble floors and its trail continued outside. I followed it, going out through the kitchen back door.

My heart banged at the sight before me.

There was blood everywhere, then a loud growl sounded from somewhere in the woods. It was Asher's.

I felt fear marching down my spine, I rushed into the woods, following the growls and it led me to a large meadow. There were several bodies around, all floating in the massive pool of blood.

A dying growl filled the woods again. My eyes shifted to the corner and there was a man there. He looked young with smooth long hair stopping on his shoulders. He was struggling, almost fighting with himself. Blood poured from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It seemed almost everywhere.

He released a small growl again before falling into the blood pool, dead. His body turned pale, almost as if every blood in his veins had vanished.

The blood soaking the earth began to move around with purpose like it was forming something. Soon, all movements died and its thick red ink soaked into the earth, only leaving behind a mark. A pyramid with weird writings around it. It was identical to the one the rogues from last night had on their wrists.

My body was on alert, recognizing the presence surrounding me in the woods. It felt intense and powerful. I wasn't alone. I was being watched. I scanned around, feeling it behind me. I took off into the woods, I was on its tail. I could almost touch it but all of a sudden, I felt myself being grabbed and a pair of eyes came into my view. Green.

"Asher," I breathed out, breathless from all the running.

"What's wrong? Where are you going?" His hold on me was firm and solid.

"Did you see it?" I asked quickly, scanning through the woods like a maniac. But Asher cupped my cheeks, bringing my attention back to his gaze.

"See what?" His eyes were on me.

"It ran past here. It was…" My gaze held Asher's confused look. "Didn't you see it?" I asked again, noticing the ground. There wasn't a trail of blood on it.

"What was it?"

I glanced around. Pulling away from Asher's grip, I raced to the large clearing and there was nothing there. No blood pool. No bodies. No pyramid symbol with giant ancient writings around. Nothing.

"Princess," Asher held me. I could see fear mixed with worry in his eyes. "Tell me what you saw,"

"Blood everywhere. Right here was a massive pool with corpses all around. Then that symbol from last night appeared on the ground. I was being watched and then I chased after it," Hearing the words leave my very own lips sounded exactly like crazy talk.

I sounded exactly like a lunatic who hadn't gotten their dose for the morning and was spewing nonsense.

I met Asher's gaze. They were intense. He must think I was nuts.

He pulled me into his arms, hugging me so tightly.

My hands snaked around his sexy waist. "You think I'm crazy right?"

He chuckled into my hair, inhaling me. I always liked it when he did that. I inhaled his deep masculine scent. It calmed me.

"Then we are both crazy, princess," He pulled away, kissing me.

I brought him closer to me, kissing him back.

Asher pulled apart abruptly, his eyes foggy. Someone was mind-linking to him. His eyes flickered on me and there was a heavy thud in his chest.

"We need to head back now," Asher took my hand and we headed back.

There was a large crowd scattered around in pairs in front of the mansion. The atmosphere was thickly grave and mournful. Like something bad had happened.

My heart quickened in my chest. As Asher and I entered, the main living room was unusually quiet even though there were many people in it.

My eyes found Lyra, she was in Stefan's arms, he was holding her so tightly as though she could collapse any second from now. And he was right to do so, there was so much pain in her eyes.

Opposite them was a huge bulky man, surrounded by many people. Some were older and few I knew from around. As Asher and I grew closer, the crowd parted to allow us through. His hand was still holding mine.

The huge man turned around, and he smiled as his eyes found Asher's. His smile didn't reach his dull and weary eyes but looking at him closely, standing right next to Stefan, they looked alike. But the man was just older.

"Beta Hendrick," Asher called, calmly, and the man's smile went deeper as he shifted to Asher's side and took me in. "What happened?"

"It's about your father," The man, Beta Hendrick, said. I could feel Asher still beside me.

Lyra whimpered, tears already making their way down her high, slender cheekbones.

Asher's eyes were almost black, and I could feel the intensity of his power. His gaze pierced through the man. "What happened?"

"Dad has passed away, Ash," Lyra dropped the news, sobbing harder as Stefan tried to comfort her.

My round eyes moved to Asher and there was nothing in his depths.

The man's jaw clenched hard, making me notice the large scar on his chin. His eyes were filled with tears, and without saying a word, he slowly got down on one knee, bowing his head to Asher.

"Long live the new Alpha," The man uttered, his voice shaky with emotions but he fought to keep it steady.

Lyra broke more into tears, almost collapsing on the floor but Stefan's strong arms held her firmly in his arms. Silently, and slowly, the large crowd in the mansion began to get on their knees. The action spread like wildfire, extending to the large crowd outside the mansion too.

My eyes slowly shifted to Asher. It was as if he was completely frozen in shock. His green eyes were now dark, and impassive and his face held no emotion.

But I could see through that mask, and all I saw was heart-wrenching pain. It made me want to hug him, want to take away such sadness and pain.

My chest ached badly and I just wanted to comfort him.