Stolen Scent, Stolen Heart

Chapter 6: Big Decision

(Ashley POV)

“I am sorry, Dad! I am sorry,” I got up and found myself in the middle of the darkest part of the forest. I hid here because no one can easily find me here. I picked up my phone and saw my swollen face due to all the crying, but I felt like nothing could lessen my pain now.

“No, Dad! I will not let them enjoy their life. They snatched every single one from me, and I will do the same with them,” I wiped my tears and got up. There wasn’t even a single signal bar on my mobile, so I cleared all the data and threw it in the black lake water after removing the SIM.

“What should I do now, Moon Goddess? Please help me,” I prayed hard when I noticed the rustling of leaves. I quickly hid behind a big bush and noticed a woman who was walking towards the deepest part of the witch, but she kept looking back like she was afraid someone could see her here.

“Why is she acting so suspiciously? And she already knew this part of the forest was filled with wild beasts and rogues. After all, people call it a death trap for a reason,” I thought when I looked at the fragile-looking lady, but I didn’t move from my place. I started waiting for her.

“Coming to this part of the forest was a huge risk, but why did she take that risk?” I thought, but nothing came to my mind.

“Now you will not be able to resist me. This potion will make you turn into a love-sick puppy.” She let out an evil laugh after hiding the small bottle in her cardigan, but I heard her words. Suddenly, something came to my mind.

“A little and weak omega tricked the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack for three years straight by a false mate bond. A dark witch resided in the deep, dark forest, dark and omnipotent. She helped her for a hefty amount.”

I heard those words when I was shopping with my best friend Diana that day, but they said she charged a hefty amount for it. I have nothing to give to her. I thought, but got up with a determined look.

“I will convince her to help me because nothing is important if I get a chance to avenge my father and my pack,” I said to myself, and headed towards the direction of that witch’s den. Thankfully, the footstep marks of that girl were still fresh, so I followed them to find her den.

“You have to do this, Ashley! You are doing this for your father and for your pack,” I reminded myself, and all the scenes of that ominous day came to my mind like it happened just a few moments ago. I controlled my tears and entered her den. My heart was beating fast, and my wolf was whimpering in pain and trying to warn me, but one thing was clear: for my revenge, I was ready to do anything.

“Come, child! I was waiting for you,” I heard a sharp feminine voice. Its powerful aura made me shiver in fear. I turned to look at the female who was sitting on a wooden chair with a big wooden table in front of her, filled with many glass bottles. I stepped towards her.

“Waiting for me? But, you don’t even know me.” I asked in a curious tone. A smile crept on her face, but it wasn’t a good one.

“Sit and I will tell you,” I pulled a chair and took a seat right in front of her.

“You are hear to quench the thirst of your revenge, isn’t it?” she asked, and my mouth gaped.

“How did you…know?” I asked, and she again smiled creepily.

“But I have nothing to give to you as a payment,” She nodded and started thinking about something.

“Well! There is one thing you can give me if you want to get your revenge,” She offered generously.

“What is it?”

“Your scent. Moon Goddess gifted every single werewolf with a unique scent, a way to recognize the bond with their soul mate. It is priceless and precious at the same time. I will give you a new scent and a new identity if you trade this scent with me,” She offered, and I became a bit hesitant.

“But first of all, you have to tell me what kind of revenge you want for your loved ones?” Her words hit me hard, and she dipped her finger in a water-filled bowl. All of a sudden, an image appeared in the water. It was a scene of our pack house when my father got to know about the fire. He got up quickly and started helping the people. People were running to save their lives. Their pups were crying when, all of a sudden, almost 20 soldiers of the shadow pack entered our pack. Their knives, arrows, and weapons were made of silver, but I could also recognize the sheen layer of poison on them. They dipped their weapons in poison, so no one could make it out alive.

They started killing them without showing an ounce of mercy. They attacked my father when he bent to help an infant.

“Father!!!” I called when an arrow landed in his back. He fell on his knees and tried to point their gun at them when another one hit his head with a silver rod. Another landed a punch on his face, and I could hear the sickening crunch of bone snapping even in my imagination. By the time that image ended, I was already crying hard.

“Now tell me what kind of revenge you want, girl?” She asked in a serious tone, but I felt like she was feeling sympathetic for me.

“I want to kill every single member of his pack, too. Even didn’t spare a single member of my pack, and I WILL KILL ALL OF THEM TOO,” I almost yelled in anger, but then took a few breaths to calm myself.

“I want to make him miserable before killing him. I will pull one brick after another of his empire and let him watch it crumble in front of his own eyes. He will be helpless, miserable, and feel like a total loser in the end. Then I will kill him in the same way he killed my father. No one will come to save him when I am finished with him and his pack,” I answered in a calm and collected tone. It seemed like that memory numbed my heart, and my emotions froze.

“Okay, child! But you have to think about it thoroughly. Once you give up your scent, you will never be able to get it back, no matter what, okay?” She explained, and I nodded my head in yes.

“I know this already,” I answered.

“Okay, but I can give you the scent you want after two days. We have to complete a ritual, and then I will grant your wish. Think about it one more time, and then come back after two days,” I nodded and left her den. I headed towards the deep part of the forest where my backpack was. I finished my food in the past three days, so I was surviving on wild fruits. I picked up a few more fruits and filled my stomach with fruit and fresh water. I started thinking about all the moments that I spent with my dad, my best friend Diana, and with the omegas in our pack house. I had countless memories of that house, which ended in just a few hours.

My heart felt heavy with pain, so I got up and headed towards the area where I had dug their graves after those shadow pack bastard soldiers left. I found Diana’s lifeless body in the back garden of my pack house. The fire ruined half of her beautiful face, but I could easily recognize my childhood best friend anywhere. I picked fresh flowers from the forest and put them on their graves.

“I am sorry, Dad! You were right. As the Alpha’s daughter, I failed miserably. I failed to realize my duty and wasted my precious years chasing that cheating b@stard. I am ready to do anything to get just a few minutes with you, but now… I am only left with regrets,” I fell on my knees in front of their graves, and once again, tears started rolling down my cheeks.

“I am sorry, Dad! There is nothing I can do but punish myself for my negligence. I love you, and you were such an amazing dad to me. You always loved me and supported me. Without you, I would be nothing… N-nothing,” I punched the ground to vent my anger.

“And you too, Diana. You were the best friend one could ask for. No one can replace you in my life or in my heart. You filled my life with so much support and love that I didn’t even get the chance to repay it,” I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

“I wish everyone could get a friend like you, so they could understand the true meaning behind the word ‘Friendship’ and they could understand what it means to be loved and supported by their friend.” A sad smile crept on my lips when I remembered the sweet moments that I shared with her.