Awakening The Silver Wolf

two days

Bella's POV

Something was happening to Asher. I could feel it in my bones. Luna could feel it too and that's probably why she remained quiet throughout the day.

I was not any better. I could not bring myself to focus on anything.

"Bella, are you even listening?" Kiara whined for the third time in the past twenty minutes. She had been telling me about a prank she played on Leon.

That's something she often does. The relationship between the two of them has always been too complex to understand.

I can tell that Kiara likes Leon. Leon tolerates her, not sure whether it's because he likes her or because she is Asher's sister.

"I'm listening." I replied.

"What did I just say?" Kiara asked and

I opened my mouth to say something.

She pointed at me. "Don't guess or I'll be pissed off.” She warned me so I closed my mouth because that's what I was about to do…guess.

Kiara sighed and dropped back against the couch cushions. "You have been somewhere else all day." She pointed out, concern mixed with frustration evident in her voice.

I looked at my hands for a moment then decided to just say it.

"Does Asher's condition have something to do with me?" I asked quietly.

I have been cooking my brain through everything that has been happening and that conclusion came several times.

Something is happening to Asher but why does it feel like it has something to do with me?

As absurd as it sounds, my mind can't get over that deduction.

Kiara's expression shifted so fast she almost managed to hide it but I caught it anyway. That deepened my suspicion

"Why would you think that?" She asked carefully.

Why would I think that? Of course I would. Any sane person would have that conclusion.

"Because of the way everyone goes quiet when I ask questions." I pointed out.

"Because of the way Leon looks at me sometimes. Because of what you said about Asher fading away." I met her eyes. "And because of what I saw on his chest during training."

I listed.

Kiara was quiet and that told me she didn't want to talk about it.

Only that I needed answers or I'd loose my f*****g mind.

"Kiara." I pressed softly.

"There are things that are not my place to share." She said finally. "You know that."

The same f*****g excuse she gave me the other day.

While she is right, Asher didn't seem like he'd tell me s**t either.

I still remember how he brushed off the black veins I saw, throwing an excuse of an old ailment.

I was no fool to buy that bullshit but Asher had meant it clear that he was talking willing to say more.

I could not pressure him to say s**t, but I could try with Kiara.

"That's not a no." I pointed out and Kiara looked away.

I watched her carefully. She was looking anywhere but me, as if something on the wall was more interesting than me and avoiding my eyes.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked instead because it seemed like Kiara wasn't going to vomit anything useful either.

"Asher is strong." Kiara answered.

It was the kind of answer that wasn't really an answer and one that I didn't seek at this moment.

I exhaled slowly and let it go. Pushing Kiara when she had decided not to talk was like pushing a wall.

A warm and friendly wall, but a wall nonetheless.

We sat in silence for a moment.

"At least tell me one thing." I said. "The blood moon. Everyone is on edge about it. What happens on the night of the blood moon?"

Kiara relaxed slightly, like this was safer ground.

"It's the night our wolves are at their most powerful." She replied .

I knew that part,heard of it growing up.

"The energy is intense so some wolves struggle to maintain control." She paused. "It requires preparation."

"Is that why the warriors are on high alert?"

"Partly." She replied.

I nodded slowly. Then…

"Will Asher be leading them through it?" I asked casually, like it had just occurred to me.

Kiara opened her mouth.

"Of course he… " She stopped as if she realised she was about to say too much.

Kiara’s eyes flickered.

"He will be managing things from inside." She said quickly. "As Alpha he has to oversee everything."

I looked at her and she looked back and I could see the exact moment she realized what she had just almost said.

"He is not allowed outside on blood moon night." I said quietly.

It wasn't a question, but an observation.

Kiara pressed her lips together.

"Bella…" she called, as if urging me not to press further. I understood that silent plea.

"It's okay." I said softly. "You don't have to confirm it."

I told her but she had already confirmed it.

Asher POV

The pack doctor set his bag on the desk and looked at me with the expression of a man who had delivered the same bad news too many times and was running out of gentle ways to say it.

"The pills are no longer holding." He said simply.

I picked up the small bottle from the desk and shook two out into my palm and swallowed them without water.

Leon stood by the window with his arms folded saying nothing. He didn't need to because his silence was loud enough.

"How fast is it spreading?" I asked.

"Faster than last week." Doctor Julio replied.

" You should know that being in close proximity to your mate without completing the bond…" He paused.

"It's accelerating the process, Alpha. Your body recognizes what it needs and the longer it goes without it, the more aggressive the curse becomes." He pointed out.

I said nothing because I honestly didn't have anything to say.

"The blood moon will make it worse. The surge of power with nowhere to channel it…” He stopped himself. "I would strongly advise…" I didn't let him finish.

"Thank you." I said. "That will be all."

He looked at me for a moment then nodded and left.

The room was quiet for a moment then Leon turned from the window.

"Why are you so stubborn?” He asked.

“ You should tell Bella about your condition.” He added but I shook my head immediately.

"No. I won't do that.” I refused blatantly, without second thought.

"Asher…"

"I said no Leon." I kept my voice even. "She has been through enough. I will not add my problems to what she is already carrying." I reasoned.

"She already suspects something." Leon pointed out.

"Kiara said that she is already asking questions. Kiara can only dodge her questions for so long." He stepped forward.

“She feels something for you. Anyone with eyes can see it. If you just told her the truth she might…"

"Might what?" I looked at him. "Stay out of guilt? Complete a bond she doesn't want because she feels responsible for my life?" I shook my head. "That is not something I am willing to do to her."

"So instead you will sacrifice yourself?" Leon asked flatly.

" I will give her a choice that is actually free." I replied and Leon exhaled hard through his nose.

"The blood moon is in two days." He said. "What's your plan?"

I looked at the window and at the darkening sky outside.

"I want her gone before it arrives." I said quietly. "Send her to the border, make sure she is protected until she is past the pack borders and safe.

She doesn't need to be here for what happens on blood moon night."

Leon stared at me as I had lost my mind.

"You want to send your mate away two days before the blood moon while the curse is accelerating?" He paused to look at me again.

"You are doing this while she is the only thing that can save you?” He asked.

"Yes." I replied simply.

Leon was quiet for a long moment.

“ You don't care about your life but have you stopped to think about what will happen when you are gone? What will this pack become? What about Kiara? Don't you love your sister?”

Leon's words stabbed me hard but I didn't let that pain show on my face.

I had considered all that and still chose to set Bella free.

“ The pack can be led by someone else. Kiara is here, you are here too. Don't make it look like it would fall apart without me.” I countered.

“ What about Kiara? Will she get another brother after you are gone?” Leon pressed.

“ Kiara is no longer a child. She doesn't need me to babysit her. Besides, you are here. I know you'll take care of her.”

"You are the most stubborn man I have ever served," Leon finally said in defeat.

"Probably." I agreed.

He shook his head and walked to the door.

"I don't know if this can change your mind but I will say it,” Leon said without turning around.

“Bella came to your room that night not because she felt obligated." He paused. "Think about that.” He added then left.

I sat alone in the quiet office and pressed my hand flat against my chest where the veins had spread another inch since morning.

Two days.

I would see my mate for two days and then accept anything that would come during the