Prepare

Ashton's POV

After another argument with my father, I storm out of the castle, putting as much distance as I can between me and my father. It’s almost time for the scouts to arrive anyway and I need to meet them outside at the boarder. I stop in the tavern for a drink to calm down on the way when someone catches my eye. She is dressed in very little and her breasts are spilling out of her corset. She is much prettier than the average prostitute or bar maid and I have not seen her before. I signal her over to me.

“How can I help your majesty?” She says shyly.

“Are you new here?” I ask

“Yes your majesty, I arrived from my village just yesterday” She replies

“Hmm I thought so, I would have remembered someone so delicious”

She blushes and looks away awkwardly.

Well I probably have a few minutes before I need to meet the scouts and I’m a prince after all, they will wait for me.

“I would like to get to know you much more intimately” I say

“As you wish your majesty. I am here to serve you” She says bowing slightly.

I pull her upstairs to a room I rent unofficially for encounters like this. I am mid thrust inside her when someone knocks on the door. “Sir, please come quick we need your help!”

“I’m in the middle of something” I snap back not breaking thrusts.

“Please sir, it is important”

I reluctantly pull out of the woman and pull my trousers up. “What is it?” I sigh.

“Its the scouts sir, they are under attack.”

Fuck, I should have been there. I rush to the meeting place, but there is nothing there, there are signs of footprints in the mud, but no men, no bodies either.

“What happened?” I demand of the guard who came to collect me.

“I don’t know sir, the warning bell sounded and there were screams coming from the meeting point, I was sent to retrieve you while my squad went to help.” he explained.

“There must have been over a hundred men between the scouts and our guards, how can they have just vanished without a trace?” I ask

“I don’t know sir, we were only gone 15 minutes.”

“Send a patrol to search the road, they can’t be far ahead.” I command.

I reluctantly return to the castle to inform my father.

“How could you be so irresponsible!” He booms, his dark eyes clouded over with anger.

“I was just delayed on the way and when I arrived, it was too late”

“Delayed is one way to put it, I would say that you were drinking and fucking some whore instead of attending to your duties” He says as he clenches his fists.

That stupid guard is going to pay for ratting me out. “I was not aware of any danger at the time” I explain.

“You have so little that you have to do and you can’t even do it right. You will be king one day, you need to understand that sometimes you have to sacrifice what you want for the good of the people. You were supposed to protect them damn it. You are a disgrace! What will I tell the people whose loved ones are missing because you couldn’t keep it in your pants” He rants

“Don’t tell them anything. People go missing on those roads all the time, no one will realise that they even made it this far.” I say casually.

“No, you will not avoid this, the people deserve the truth.”

“You can’t be serious” I say, getting worried now.

“I’m dead serious, it is time you took your responsibilities seriously. As punishment for your negligence, you will be banished from the kingdom until you find what happened to those scouts.” He says decisively

“I have already sent men to deal with it” I say defensively.

“No, you will do this yourself, alone. I will give you a day to pack your things and prepare”

“But I don’t even know where to start?” I protest

“Perhaps you should have studied more and slept with less of your tutors then. I suggest you consult Marla before you go. She may be of some help.”

“Why not just send that old witch herself?” I ask

‘Because you must prove your worth and fix your mistake. I expect you gone by tomorrow evening and you had better return with those men or not bother returning at all.” The finality in his voice made me realise he is serious and my heart sinks.

Ava's POV

I don't know how long I cried, frozen in the forest before the king's messenger arrived. I knew what the news was, but I didn't want to believe it. I rushed home and heard aunty Lea crying, confirmation of what I saw. I hugged her close.

As word spread through the pack, more messages were exchanged. The prince felt responsible and was tracking the missing men as we speak. There was no need to send a search party and risk more men.

I knew the playboy prince would be little help, I knew what happened, but I couldn't tell anyone without telling them how I knew and even then no one would believe me.

I shuddered at the memory of the dark road and the man chasing them that haunts my dreams.

I tried to speak to the alpha but I was not allowed past Darren who snorted at me and asked how a wolf-less werewolf would possibly be any help.

As much as I wanted to punch him, he had a point, I'm strong and I heal well like the others but without my wolf I couldn't even keep up with a search party. Feeling helpless I left and went to my room.

Unable to sleep, I walked to the forest. I touched the tree and searched for the prince, but there was no sign of him. I looked for Ezra and a path appeared before me. I could track him! But I would have to leave the safety of the pack. I would have to risk my own safety. As much as I wanted to, I have never had the courage to leave. But Ezra is my best friend and he needs me now. I know what I must do. I must find him. Looking towards the dark road I start to tremble, but my resolve is unshaken.

I go to prepare myself. I pack a large bag with supplies and I sneak into the warriors barracks. I steal a set of leathers and armoury. I run to the river to wash and change. The leather trousers are tight, but allow me to move flexibly and the metal is light and covers my weak spots around my wrists and back. I tie my long hair into a braid and slide on the knee high boots. I have a bow slung over my shoulder and a dagger in each boot. I examine my reflection. I don't recognise myself. In the water staring back at me is not the meek serving girl I know, but a strong badass looking woman. It gives me a little boost of confidence I need to walk towards the dark road.