Chapter 7
1054 Words
Chapter 7
Leah's POV
I woke up feeling drained, my body heavy as lead. The scent of herbal tea wafted through the air, and I spotted a note on the bedside table.
"Please drink it,it's good for your health," it read.
I raised an eyebrow but took a sip, grimacing at the sour taste.
Just then, Cindy's voice echoed in my mind. "Finally, Leah! We got a second chance mate!"
I rolled my eyes. "Not now, Cindy. I'm not interested." I really don't know what game the moon goddess is playing this time around but I am so not in for it.
"But—"
"Stop, Cindy. The Moon Goddess needs to quit her games. I'm done."
But my thoughts were interrupted by a nagging feeling. Where was my family emblem? I distinctly remembered taking it to the woods yesterday.
Panic set in. I had to find it.
"Cindy, I need to go to the woods."
"You're too weak, Leah. Don't be reckless."
I ignored her warning and pushed myself out of bed, stumbling towards the door.
The forest seemed to stretch on forever as I searched for the emblem. My breath came in ragged gasps, my legs trembling.
And then, I saw it – glinting in the sunlight, half-hidden beneath a bush.
I snatched it up, clutching it to my chest as relief washed over me.
But my reprieve was short-lived.
A rustling in the underbrush.
A wide-board hog emerged, its eyes fixed on me.
My heart sank. I couldn't shift. The plague's effect still lingered.
"Cindy, what are we going to do?" I whispered, fear creeping in.
"We need to get out of here, NOW," Cindy urged.
But my legs wouldn't cooperate. Weakness and fear rooted me to the spot.
The boar took a step closer, its tusks glinting.
This was it. We were trapped.
Fear clawed at my chest, Cindy's panic echoing through our bond.
I can't die, my kids need me to save them, what am I going to do? Moon goddess please help us!! I closed my eyes.
A fierce growl erupted, followed by snarls and snapping.
I opened my eyes to chaos.
A massive wolf had appeared out of nowhere, tackling the boar.
The wolf's fur was a shimmering gray, its eyes blazing with fury.
The boar squealed, its tusks flashing.
But the wolf was relentless.
Finally, the boar lay motionless.
The wolf turned to me, its gaze locking onto mine.
And then, it shifted into a human.
My jaw dropped.
Asher!!!!
No. f*****g. Way.
My second chance mate was him?
I stood frozen, my mind reeling.
"Asher...you're a...werewolf?" I stuttered.
He nodded, his eyes locked onto mine.
"But...but you're a detective," I protested. "You helped me find clues about my missing kids and friend."
Asher's expression turned serious. "I can explain, Miss Leah."
Explain? How could he explain this?
"You lied to me," I accused, feeling betrayed.
"Not exactly, you never asked me," Asher said, taking a cautious step closer. "But how come I couldn't smell you the first time?”
"Cindy, what's going on?" I asked my wolf, seeking clarity.
Cindy's voice was hesitant. "I...I didn't know either, Leah. But our bond recognizes him as our mate and he is the one who saved us yesterday."
Mate?
I glared at Asher. "You're telling me you're my...my second chance mate?"
Asher nodded, his eyes burning with conviction. "You are still weak, let me take you home and I will explain everything to you.“ I decided to trust him but he is the only hope I have in this town to find my kids.
I paced back and forth in my living room, my mind racing with questions.
Asher stood by the window, his eyes fixed on me.
"Explain," I demanded, my voice firm.
Asher took a deep breath. "I have an artifact ring, created by a powerful witch. A gift from someone special to me, that's why you didn't know."
"Why the ring?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Asher's gaze dropped, his shoulders sagging.
"I wear it because...I don't like what I am," he admitted, his voice laced with pain.
My heart ached.
"Asher, you're not a monster," I said, stepping closer.
He looked up, his eyes haunted.
"You don't understand, Leah. Being a werewolf...it's a curse. Loss, bloodshed, constant fear...I've seen things, done things..."
His voice cracked. "Asher, we are not cursed, it's a gift from the moon goddess.”
"I wear the ring to escape, to be normal. To forget."
Forget?
"What do you mean?" I pressed.
Asher's eyes clouded.
"Some things...I can never tell you. Never tell anyone."
Pain etched his face.
"Please Leah, now you know the truth, can we not talk about it? I really don't want to dig into my past for now, when the time is right you will know the truth.”
I understand him so well, it's wrong to force him so I will stop.
"Thank you for saving me twice, I really appreciate it.“
"You don't have to thank me, as your mate it's my duty to always protect you..” He said with a smile on his face.
"I am sorry Asher but I can't be your mate, I don't want to be bound with anyone, I don't hate you okay? I just want you to be the friend and detective helping me to find my kids.”
"It's okay, I believe you have a story as well and I won't force you at all, since you are better now, I will take my leave to work.” His voice sounded so sad and looked disappointed.
"What is wrong with you Leah? Are you rejecting our second chance mate? Come on, he is not Elijah, he is Asher...” Cindy screamed in my head.
"Enough Cindy, I don't want a mate, I am done with being with them, we know how it's going to be, he will surely reject me at the end mostly when he knows I am weak because of the plague that wiped out my family..”
"Leah!!”
"I have my kids and my friend to be worried about.“
"Fine but you promised him dinner, at least do that for him...”
Cindy reminded me and I stopped Asher from leaving, "Asher, please stay!!”
TBC..
- Writer
