Ashes Of Desire

CHAPTER 20

DRAVEN

The atmosphere was clouded in stomps, laughter and howls. This is how it's supposed to be but my shoulders couldn't relax. My eyes still scanned the environment.

“They're close by,” Donnie said to me behind my eyes, on full alert.

“They won't do anything,” I assured myself but my shoulders were still straightened and my eyes still scanned the environment.

“Where is Cara?”

“Why do you care where she is?” He always seemed to want her. I want her to but only if she reciprocates it.

“We need her. She is ours.” I heaved a sigh.

From the moment I saw her at the pack summit, I knew she was mine but I doubt if she could feel the connection, the pull.

She left me all by myself. I smirked thinking about how flushed and shaken up she had been. She is mine now, mine to protect, and I will protect her, especially from SINS.

I rubbed my hands over my face.

“Hey man, where's your wife?” Jason took a seat beside me, his wolf present.

“I guess I am not the only one on high alert.” I murmured as I saw Jason's wolf.

“I ate her,” I replied to his question. He turned to me with a brow raised.

“What?”

“Come on, be serious,” he snorted.

“How would I know where she went?”

“Ahh, so are you annoyed that she left you here or you're just being your brooding self?”

“f**k off Jason.” He didn't have to remind me of her absence by my side.

“Where have you been? How convenient she left, you're here. Got bored with her Beta?” I enquired, smirking at him but he laughed it off.

“No that's not it. She's cool. I mean…she's beautiful and strong.”

“You're progressing faster than I am. Teach me your ways.” He smiled, shook his head.

“We haven't gotten there yet. We don't even see eye to eye so you're still in the lead.”

I took a swing of my beer.

“It's surprisingly peaceful.” He nodded

“Hmm, I received news. Some rogues were found along the borders.”

I raised a brow “Any damage?” I knew they were around but they had the guts to roam around the border. It could only mean one thing.

“None. It seemed like they were observing. They didn't trespass.” My jaw tightened.

“When?” My eyes narrowed far ahead.

“During your vows. But it's strange. Nobody expected it to be today.” I didn't even expect to get married today.

“True. Keep alert. We'll be leaving soon.”

He stood up and left.

I walked towards the pack house.

“Draven,” Henry, Cara's butler, called out to me.

“Henry,” He stood at a considerable distance.

“You must be looking for Cara,” he smiled softly. My eyes narrowed at him. Among all the Elders and Alphas and Betas I have met, my shoulders tensed around him.

“Know where she is?”

“My guess is the pack house. Her room upstairs.” I nodded and took a step but he blocked my path.

“I have given my Cara to you. Do well to care for her.” I paused. Maybe he really cares for her.

“I always care for what's mine. But…why vote in my favour?” His shoulders straightened at my question. His smile wavered before it returned.

“It's the best thing for her and our packs. After listening to your words, I realised it.”

“So…I convinced you?”

“You helped me understand. Cara wouldn't have made the decision so I made it for her.”

“I know you care for her but she's a grown woman. An alpha.” He stepped aside.

“Sometimes adults need guidance. I'll see you around.” He walked off.

What a weird wolf.

Henry didn't seem like a bad person. But he was way too controlling for me. Cara flares up at the thought of being controlled. I wondered how they got along.

I stepped into the pack house. It was quite big, but compared to Cara, I had a mansion.

The living room was decent and spacious. Wolves stepped in and out, bowing their heads in greeting.

“Where is your Alpha?” I had long forgotten the directions Henry gave.

“Alpha Drav…She… she is upstairs” The wolf stammered. They always did in my presence.

“Where?”

“Take..y..your right, t..the room before the end of the h..hall.” I patted the shoulder of the wolf. He seemed frozen.

I walked into the room but found no one. It was a study. More books and papers with the smell of ink and a bed with lavender fragrance and feminine clothes.

My feet led me to a drawer. I pulled it and a picture came into view.

A small Cara, whom I assumed to be her mother and father. Guilt washed over me.

I ran my hands over them and closed it. I hadn't deserved the right to see or touch it.

My eyes observed the room, just books and more papers to sort. I headed for the door but stopped.

I caught sight of a camera. It looked old. Apparently, it was hidden under her desk. The drawer was slightly open. Someone must've been in a hurry and forgot to close it properly.

I sat down on the chair and picked it up. Looking at it, it wasn't as old as I had assumed.

Switching it on, a video played. A recording? A figure with the outline of a man in dark clothes climbing out of a window. The two figures with the outline of a man and a woman other than the man were dead.

Their bodies lay lifeless with a pool of blood beneath them, their faces blurred out. The window was left open, and the rain poured in mixed with the blood.

A symbol caught my interest. Three bloody claw marks smeared on the wall. I gulped nothing. My hands tightened around the camera, knuckles white.

I closed it.

“Delete it.” Donnie growled out.

“f**k”. I breathed. My hands swept over my face as I replayed the footage.

I was sure this was related to Cara's parents.

And the claw marks? I gulped again and reached for the footage.

My hands searched for the delete button and pressed it. I searched further, going back and forth in case there were others but found none.

I put it down, exactly the way I found it.

‘There could be more.’ Immediately, I looked around, searched the shelves, went through every page, the papers scattered on the table, the drawers but nothing.

She only had that footage.

I let out a breath and strode out. Looking around, the hall was empty.

Turning left, I collided with Cara.

“Draven? Why are you here?” I smiled briefly. A stunning middle-aged woman was beside her. She smelled of spices and herbs. A witch.

“I am Alpha Draven. You must be…” My gaze on her. How was Cara related to a witch?

“Stella. It's good to see you Draven. I know you will protect her.” She smiled softly, her gaze was on me.

She distanced herself from Cara. Her smile dropped immediately.

“You're leaving?” Cara asked, and she nodded, looking in my direction.

“Yes. Your husband wants to tell you something. I'll visit soon.” Kissing her on the cheek, she left. I wasn't too surprised she read my mind. My lingering stares must have given it away.

“What? Can't you give me some privacy?” She fired at me.

“We have to leave.” The corner of her mouth raised slightly.

“Where?”

“My pack Cara. We discussed this.” She shrugged and walked towards her study.

I stepped in after her and stayed at the door.

“We need a mutual ground. Somewhere I can lay my claims.”

“You can do that in my pack. You'll always be the alpha to your people and now, a Luna to mine.” She shook her head, her hands on her hips.

My eyes lingered on them, my hands itched to grab them.

“Stop holding back. It's idiotic.”

“Just keep quiet Donnie.” He humped.

“No, it won't work. Your pack will always be yours,” she said, shaking her head.

“So what is your solution?”

“Let's merge. Our business will be partners. Our borders are very close to each other, we bridge them, problem solved.” She smiled at her suggestion. It was a good idea.

“Okay, but,” she raised a brow at me.

“Everyone will have to be informed first. It's too sudden.” She nodded.

“Yes, you're right. We'll inform them tomorrow and give it a week to sink in.”

“But you stay with me. No objections.”

“Okay, I agree.” She moved around her table and reached under for the drawer.

Holding the footage, her eyes widened as she pressed the buttons, forward and backwards. Her head shook sideways in slow movements.

“No…it's…it's gone.” She cried out, her eyes locked on me.