Chapter 4
With a grin, he greeted me, "Good morning, Ana."
Returning the smile, I replied, "Good morning to you too, Alpha."
Curiosity getting the best of me, I asked, "I think you were mad at me for rejecting you, Alpha?"
"Despite your rejection of me as your mate, I am still willing to wait until you are ready to be my Luna," he replied, his smile unwavering.
"Elias told me everything. They found you alone in the middle of the forest, and I know what happened to your family was not easy, Ana," he said, his tone serious.
My blood boiled at his words. How could he be so nonchalant about what he did to my family? "You're so good at pretending, Alpha Ashton!" I exclaimed to myself.
The urge to end his life right then and there was overwhelming, but I knew he had to suffer first. "You're right, life has not been easy for me. Losing a family is not easy, so I will not stop until they are given justice!" I declared.
"Just tell me if I can help, As your mate, I have a responsibility to protect and love you," he offered, his smile still present.
Approaching him, I brought my lips closer to his, teasing him. "Let's see if you can change my mind," I whispered seductively before pulling away and entering the room.
"I'll eat first, Alpha," I said, still smiling.
"Uhmm, can I ask you out after you eat?" he asked, his smile growing wider.
"Alright, Alpha," I replied, returning the smile.
"I'll wait for you outside," he said, his smile never faltering.
As I spoke, Alpha Ashton's face lit up with pleasure and he flashed me a grin before bidding me farewell and exiting the castle gates. I couldn't help but smirk to myself, knowing that his heart was easily swayed by a woman's words.
After finishing my meal, I indulged in a refreshing shower and carefully selected my outfit for the day. Standing before the mirror, I scrutinized every inch of my appearance, determined to captivate Alpha Ashton's attention and win him over.
With a sly smile, I whispered to myself, "Go ahead and fall for me, Alpha Ashton. But be warned, the pain I inflict will cut deep."
Stepping outside, I spotted Alpha Ashton in the distance and took a deep breath before approaching him. "I'm sorry for the delay," I said, flashing him a charming smile.
"It's fine," he replied curtly, his gaze intense and focused. I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach as we stood mere inches apart, my eyes closing in anticipation of his kiss. But what he did next caught me completely off guard...
As he leaned in to kiss my forehead, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was grateful for his respect and admiration towards me. But on the other hand, I wanted to see a different side of him. I wanted to know if he was truly the demon he claimed to be.
"You're my mate,Ana. The one I've been waiting for," he said with a smile.
I couldn't help but ask, "How long can you wait for me, AlphaAshton?"
"Until the end of my days," he replied with sincerity.
But as my mind raced with doubts and suspicions, I knew that his time was running out. He couldn't wait for me forever.
Without warning, I kissed him on the lips, hoping to see a glimpse of his true nature. But as he pushed me away gently, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Is this what you want?" I asked him, my voice filled with frustration.
But he looked at me with seriousness and asked, "Do you think that's all I'm after?"
I was taken aback by his words and couldn't hold back my tears. I had let my emotions get the best of me and I knew I had to apologize.
As I retreated back into the castle, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to him than meets the eye. I wanted to see his true intentions, to know if he was truly the demon he claimed to be. But for now, I had to keep my guard up and not fall for his sweet words and deeds.
As I walked with him through the Wound Woods, I couldn't help but think about my twisted plan. I wanted to make him suffer, to see his evil side, and to ultimately witness his downfall. But as he spoke to me with such sincerity, I felt a pang of guilt. Why was I doing this to someone who respected and protected me?
I pushed those thoughts aside and asked him to take me for a walk. As we strolled through the woods, I noticed the wolves greeting us with joy. His handsomeness was undeniable, but I couldn't forget the fact that he may have been responsible for my parents' death.
Despite my inner turmoil, I held onto his arm and smiled. Little did he know, I was the woman who would be his downfall.
"Do you know that one of the most unforgettable moments of my life is when you humiliated me on my own birthday?" he exclaimed.
"But despite that, I can't bring myself to be angry with you because, as the prophecy states, when you harm your mate, you harm yourself as well. If you shed tears, I should shed them too, and if you're in pain, I will feel it too,Ana," he said with a serious tone.
His words engulfed me, for no matter how I looked at him, I couldn't find a hint of malice in this man. I tried to muster a smile, and just then, Elias approached us.
"Alpha, I have news from the neighboring pack," Elias said with a grave expression.
"What is it,Elias?" he inquired.
"There has been a battle between the Bloody Lake Pack and the Silver Moon Pack. Many lives were lost, and numerous members of the Silver Moon Pack were gravely injured. Alpha Kaisen is currently in critical condition due to a fight with Alpha Damon," Elias conveyed, concern etched on his face.
I heard a sigh escape my lips as our gazes met. She bid me farewell, explaining that they had urgent matters to attend to with Elias.
"I'll bid you farewell for now, Ana," he said, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.
They hurriedly departed, leaving me alone in the room. Soon after, a woman entered and invited me to join her for a meal. Her face exuded kindness, and her hair was neatly covered with a cloth.
"Where are they headed?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"To whom are you referring, dear Luna?" the woman inquired.
"Wait, please don't call me Luna because I don't accept that title," I responded.
"Just call me Ana. And you? What is your name?" I asked, offering her a warm smile.
"I'm Martha," she introduced herself.
"Martha, I'll repeat my question. Where are Alpha Ashton and Elias going?" I asked, my curiosity growing.
"They have gone to provide aid for the Silver Moon Pack, Ana. The Silver Moon Pack is an ally of ours," Martha replied, a smile gracing her lips.
"Did they engage in a battle?" I inquired.
As I pondered Marta's response, a wave of curiosity washed over me. Why was there no negative talk about Alpha Ashton? How could he be so universally adored by the pack? Did they truly share my sentiments?! I reminded myself not to be swayed by mere words.
Martha's next words only deepened my confusion. "I can't quite fathom why you turned down Alpha Ashton's offer to become his Luna. Almost every woman in our pack dreams of that role," she remarked.
"I'm just not ready, Martha. Especially after the recent loss of my parents. My mind is filled with so much turmoil. I don't want to rush into anything and I want to be completely honest with him when the time comes," I explained.
"Why? Aren't you already honest with him, Ana?" she inquired.
"I mean, I want to be honest about not being ready yet and communicate when I will be ready," I clarified.
I nearly let slip something to Marta that I shouldn't have. Thankfully, she didn't catch on to what I was implying. We continued our tour of the castle, encountering other members of the pack along the way.
"It's no surprise he chose you," one woman remarked.
I couldn't quite decipher her intentions. She approached me with a smile, her scent lingering in the air. I felt uneasy about her actions, but I forced myself to remain composed. Her demeanor seemed serious, leaving me both anxious and bewildered by her unexpected behavior.