Ashly felt like her world had crashed, spinning one second and stopping entirely the next. Those words that escaped her fiancé's mouth weren't the ones that she was expecting at all. She guessed she deserved the cold treatment because it was an arranged marriage and Alex wasn't in love with her. But what Alex had said—Ashly still couldn't wrap her head around it, ten hours later.
Alex had someone in his life, someone he loved, whom he planned on being with ever after their marriage. Ashly had never had an opportunity to fall in love. Being an Omega meant Ashly had a pretty sheltered life. People were never looking to build a relationship with her; they'd rather get in bed with her. It had put Ashly off relationships and falling in love. But after she had gotten engaged, she started looking forward to sharing her life with that single person to whom she would give everything. She had gotten ready to give everything to the cold and hostile Alex Branson. Ashly sighed, pulling the bedsheet over her head. Alex wasn't a bad or rude person, though; in general, at least that's what he heard. From more than one person, he might add. His parents had apologized for Alex's behavior after he stormed out of the dinner. He had bowed to Ashly's parents and just left. He didn't even wait for his sister. Jia had said that her son was a lovable boy who was probably being mean only to spite his parents, and Jones had insisted that Alex would warm up to him. The highlight was, however, what his sister Rose had said.
"I'm taking my brother; he wasn't exactly warm by the look on your face."
Ashly surprised herself by replying, "He was...fine." Why was she lying? To protect that horrible, rude, and selfish asshole? Somehow, Ashly didn't want Alex to be scolded by someone, and she had a feeling that Rose would do exactly that.
Rose looked amused. "Really? That doesn't sound like my brother."
Ashly shrugged, not answering.
"Oh my God,", she said. "You're protecting him, aren't you?"
Ashly stared, her eyes widening as she got caught red-handed.
"No...."
"I know my brother. He wasn't interested in the prospect of this marriage from the beginning. He'd rather marry the daughter of someone who has had an eye on our pack... There's no way he was a bright ball of sunshine when he talked to you. Not to mention, he stormed away after you two spoke."
Ashly looked at the ground, guilty.
"What did he tell you, Ashly?"
Ashly bit his lip, not knowing if she should answer truthfully. Technically, she knew she shouldn't lie to a beta, considering they are higher in rank than her. But she was sure that Rose would put Alex in his place, and even though she wanted someone to do exactly that, she didn't want it at the same time. The ritual with the sacrifice to the moon goddess must be messing with her brain.
"Ashly, I can't talk to him and make him understand if I don't know what he told you."
Ashly sighed, getting over her hesitation. "He said he had someone in his life who he intended on staying with." She left out the part where Alex said she would hate Ashly always.
Rose rubbed her forehead, tired. "Listen, I'm sorry about what he said. He is not a bad person. He's just in love with someone who is not right for him. Alex will come around to the fact that he has to let go of the past."
Ashly nodded even though she couldn't bring herself to believe Rose's words after listening to the cold words of the man she was going to marry.
"I mean it, Ashly. You're good for him. You're the right choice,", Rose said, making Ashly look up at her face.
"You don't.... You don't know that. You've...just met me,", Ashly shook her head.
"And I observe, okay? I know you were excited to see my brother; I saw you at the window when I first came here."
Ashly gulped. "Maybe I was excited up until your brother did what he did."
Rose smiled wryly. "Then why did you try to save him when I asked you about what he said? Why did you lie?"
Damn, she was too smart. She got her; she was cornered.
Rose let out a small laugh at Ashly's struggle to answer.
"Consider it a sister's instinct, Ashly. I think you're definitely what's best for him.", She smiled and hugged her before she could answer. She pulled back, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek, and she left, leaving Ashly all confused.
The early rays of the morning sun shone brightly, and Ashly sat up, throwing her blanket aside. She rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes, blinking away the sleepiness. She stepped out of bed, walking toward the bathroom. She stopped in front of the washbasin and turned the faucet. The cool water felt refreshing when splashed gently over her tense features. She could feel the distress leaving her body by the time she was done brushing her teeth. She threw on a t-shirt over her naked torso and opened the door to the hallway. She sauntered forward, leaning on the railing of the stairs while looking down. She couldn't control her yawn as she noticed that the mess was all cleaned up after dinner yesterday. She looked around and spotted her mom waltzing towards the kitchen.
She greeted her, "Morning, mother."
Jenny looked up at her happily. "Good morning, sweetie. Why don't you wake up your sister and come down for breakfast, hmm?"
Ashly nodded and walked to Monika's room. She knocked on the door gently, just in case she was already up. Hearing no response from the other side of the door, she opened it slowly. She peeked in to see Monika snuggled under the blankets, covered from top to bottom.
She shook her head, smiling, and walked up to the bed. She tried to pry the blanket off of her, but it seemed like she had a tight grip on it as it wouldn't budge. She managed to uncover just her head.
"Moni, wake up.", She said it, softly patting her head. When she lay there irresponsive, she patted her cheeks. "Monika, get up already."
She heard her groan before opening her eyes and staring at her.
"What the hell do you want, Ashly?"
"Mom said to wake you up and then come down for breakfast."
Monika sighed loudly, sitting up. "What time is it?"
"Quarter to 9."
Monika yawned, "How did you wake you so soon? I heard you pacing around for a long time."
Ashly shrugged.
"You weren't able to sleep at all?", Monika asked, looking at her sadly. "What happened? I know you said you didn't want to talk about it yesterday, but do you think you can tell me what's wrong?"
Ashly sighed. "Alex wasn't exactly a warm person, but that's no surprise, considering it's an arranged marriage."
"However, that is no excuse for how he treats you. What exactly happened, Ashly?", Monika said, pulling her hair into a bun.
Ashly grumbled as she conveyed the entire conversation she had with Alex.
"He what?"
"Moni..."
"He called you an Omega. He said that he'd always hate you—that you were an inconvenience. He said he's going to stay with his pathetic lover even after he's gotten married. Oh, Alex Branson is so dead." Monika was seething with anger.
"Monika, calm down,", Ashly said softly as her sister's breathing became erratic in rage. Her werewolf was very protective of Ashly, and at the moment, it looked like it was taking over her body.
Monika took a deep breath and closed her eyes. It took a few seconds, but when she opened them, Ashly could sense that she had calmed down.
"Ashly, you can't marry him."
"Monika.."
"No, you can't. I don't want your life to become a living hell, and I have a feeling that's exactly what Alex is going to make it."
"Moni, I can't."
"I'll talk to Dad. I don't care if the packs are at a crossroads for centuries more. You're not getting your soul bound to that jerk."
"Monika, We can't stop the wedding. The ritual's done. The moon goddess, herself, can't change my fate."
"The ritual may be over, but the wedding's not. If you're scared of stopping the wedding, I will."
"Moni, you know how much this family means to me. Our father took me in without a question when I was orphaned. He didn't disown me when I presented as an Omega. He and Mom have taken care of me more than my own parents ever did. I have to do this for them. Dad has always respected my decisions. He's never forced me to behave like a traditional Omega. I have to do this for him, more than anyone else."
"Ashly, Dad will understand."
"He has never asked me for anything, Monika. The one time he's asked me something, I'm not going to bail on him."
"Ashly, listen to me."
"Besides, if I'm the one to pull out of the wedding even after the ritual, it'll do nothing but add fuel to the simmering fire between the two packs. I don't want to be the cause of a war between the packs."
"Ashly, you don't deserve to marry someone who won't cherish you."
"I will be fine, Monika. Everything will be fine." She was lying; he knew it. This was not fine. This was the exact opposite of fine."
"If Alex hurts you..."
"He won't. He won't jeopardize the peace treaty."
Monika moved forward from where she sat on the bed to give Ashly a hug, who let herself snuggle into her embrace, wrapping her own arms around her back.
"I love you, Ashly."
"I know, little sister. I love you too."
Monika pulled back and laughed a little. Ashly smiled at her before saying, "Now, go brush. Your breath stinks."
Monika groaned, throwing a pillow at her before getting out of bed. She made her way to the bathroom, and Ashly decided to make her bed. She folded her blanket and neatly arranged her pillows back on the bed. When Monika came back after brushing, they both headed downstairs to have some food.
Jenny ruffled Ashly's hair as she sat down at the table. They were soon joined by Brandon, and they had a great time together, just eating, talking, making each other laugh—just being a family. They hadn't had quality family time for the past few weeks, with Brandon and Jenny being busy with the pack's and Luna's duties. Ashly would do anything for them, and that's why she was going to marry Alex Branson. For her family. For her dad. For her pack.
Noticing how happy all of them were, Ashly really wished for a happy family of her own after leaving here after the marriage. Ashly hated that she wanted that family with Alex, the alpha who so clearly hated her very thoughts, the alpha whom Ashly wanted despite him being an asshole.
"What the hell, Alex?" His sister's voice boomed through the emptiness of his room as soon as she opened the door. "Where the hell have you been?" He groaned, sitting up on the bed. To be honest, he knew this conversation was due. He had returned in the wee hours of the morning from Jasmine Place and sneaked back into the house, being careful not to wake his parents or his sister. He knew Rose was going to lecture him on yesterday's events, and he wasn't really looking forward to it. He had a good time after leaving the Shadow Pack lands and felt at peace after spending the night with Jasmine. He was in a good mood, and he wanted to maintain it that way. "Nowhere,", he replied carelessly. "Nowhere?", she scoffed. "That's funny because I don't remember seeing you at home last night." Alex sighed, avoiding her eyes. "None of your business, Rose." Rose narrowed her gaze. "Did you...Did..." She closed her eyes, irritated. Alex was an even bigger idiot than she initially thought, if he
"Monika, Ashly." Brandon shouted. "Come on down! There's someone you have to see." "God, why is he shouting in the morning?" Monika groaned, walking out of her room, her hair like that of a bird's nest making Ashly squint away her drowsiness just so she could get a clear look at her sister. And when she did, she couldn't resist laughing, making Monika let out a growl at her, before she carded her fingers through her messy hair, trying to smooth down the tangled strands, before they walked down the stairs, both wanting to know why their dad was yelling for them at 7 in the morning. They walked together to the living room, and they looked at their father, in front of whom another guy stood. And they squinted before the said guy turned around, and they both squealed, "ADOM!" "Surprise." Their friend stated before holding his arms out, knowing that the next moment Monika and Ashly were going to strangle him with a tight hug. "Curse you, Adom! I missed you so much." Monika rushed forwar
"Ashly, you look amazing." Monika said, staring at her sister, who was wearing a red, black-striped glittery long dress with a royal black sequined coat over it. She knew when Ashly picked out the dress that she was going to look amazing in it, but actually seeing her all ready for the big event brought tears to her eyes. "Of course, I do." Ashly laughed. "After all, you're the one who did my make-up." She smiled at her teary-eyed sister. She hugged her, gently shaking her head. "I love you, Ashly." "I love you too, Moni." Ashly gently patted her back. She pulled away, smiling at her and blinking away the tears before her makeup could be ruined. "Oh shit." She said as she noticed the time on the table clock in the tent assigned for Ashly in the gardens of Branson Manor. "Mom asked me to give this to someone before 4. It's half over already. Shit. shit." She pointed to the file that contained papers about the two-pack agreement and their peace treaty. "Moni, calm down." Ashly said
"What are you doing, sitting here alone?" Monika asked the blond-haired man who sat by the pond, his blazer on the ground by his side. "Just sitting. Crowd's not really my scene." He answered when he looked at her. "Really?" She asked. "I would have pegged you for a love-the-attention kind of guy." "Oh, believe me, I am. I just don't want to steal the newlyweds' spotlight." He joked. "Cocky, I see." She smirked. "Is that how you talk to an alpha?" Seth's eyes hardened, and Monika was scared for a second. "Sorry...I.." She stopped when Seth's brow furrowed. "Relax; I was just teasing you." He chuckled. Monika relaxed. "Oh." She sat down near him. "Yeah.." "So you're not like your friend, then?" She said, bringing up her knees to the chest. "Who?" Seth asked, confused. "Alex," she answered. "Alex is not that bad, either." Seth said it gently. "Try again," she said, smiling sadly. "Monika, he's not." "Seth I don't know if you know what Alex told my sister or not, but if you
Alex wouldn't look at Ashly as he walked past her, down to their bedroom. "I'm going to another country for some packing business." "Of course you are! You always run to your problem, don't you? You spent our whole time outside when you couldn't give an answer. You call things off almost every fucking time when we want to talk to you, and no, that's still not enough time for you? What about Ashly, Alex? What about your mate?" Rose yelled through the tears pouring down her face as she watched her brother pack a bag of clothes quickly. She can hear Ashly sob from outside. "I just need time to think. Jasmine tries to help me sort things out, and I think I should go," Alex said, grabbing his toothbrush and throwing it in his bag. "I'm sorry," Alex mumbled to his sister, quickly walking out of the bedroom and down the hallway, not meeting Ashly's eyes. "Alex, Alex No, don't go; cancel your work; think about Ashly," Rose begged, following Alex down the hallway. "Please. Alex, stay here. T
Rose gave Ashly a gentle smile and followed her brother, and when she entered Alex's room, she could see how frustrated Alex looked. "Ale-" "No, I need to do this. I was stressed, and there were so many things going on in my head. Jasmine was not talking to me, and my Alpha didn't let me sleep peacefully. I can sense Ashly's sadness, and I don't know why, but I despise myself for all of this, Rose. Why did I do this to her, to Jasmine? Rose I can't love anyone except Jasmine. She is my life, and Ashly, I really don't know what to do or say to her. I thought I could fix this, but how can I play with Ashly with our bond? Even I don't like her, and I don't want her." "You slept with Jasmine on your wedding night," Rose asked with a stern voice. She and Alex both had tears pouring down their faces, and if Rose thought she felt sorry for Ashly when Alex walked out on the very next day after marriage, it was nothing compared to how she was feeling now. "Yes, and I did. I am sorry, Rose. B
It was a typical work day at the pack house for Ashly. On the right of her desk sat a mug (lacking tea) and a frame with her family picture in it. To the left were some reports that needed her signature and review. She usually checks on food, children, and women. It's her duty as Luna to take care of everyone in the Moonlight Pack. Everyone really loves her and accepts her as her mate, but Ashly already knows it will never happen. For her heat, she is already taking pills; she really doesn't want to disturb Alex. She grabs the first draft and flips it open. "Trading yesterday,", it read. She was reading about an Omega woman who was a bit of a pessimist, but that was only because she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her Alpha had left her several months before, and now she spends most of her time in the hospital. Life could be rather horrible, Ashly thinks. She is on the fourth page when she places a check near the title, marking that this really needed to go to her mother-in-l
On Monday, when Rose and Ashly went back to pack house, Ashly went directly to her office, and Rose saw when Alex came home late as always. It's been about a week, and Rose didn't say one thing to her brother. On Thursday, he ate on his own and watched TV. Traning himself and taking an extra class of pack pups, Rose knew how much stress it put Alex under. He needed to get done what he needed to get done, or else he'd be a grouch. Rose wasn't sure when Alex arrived home because he had dozed off on the sofa with the television on, and the sound of the microwave woke him up. Alex didn't say anything. Ashly also didn't discuss much more than packing business and went back to sleep in her room. It's like a routine for both of them, Monday to Friday. "I brought you some coffee," Rose says, setting the Starbucks cup on Alex's desk. "Everything alright? You've seen a bit off all week." She sits in one of the comfortable chairs on the other side of Alex's desk and sits crisscrossed. "Thanks