The Scorned Luna Lives Again!

Chapter Fourteen

Ashlyn whimpered softly, his warm breath grazing her cheeks as he inhaled her scent deeply waiting for her reply. Her body trembled as his scent filled her head. He smelled like warm cinnamon and a campfire, warm and cozy to the point she didn't realize she was nuzzling him until Mikhail interrupted them by clearing his throat.

"Ashlyn? We uhm...we got to go." He smiled at both of them. A hint of remorse to interrupt such a moment but soon Ryker's beta also came to talk about departing.

Ryker was hesitant. He never met anyone he didn't loathe, especially women but something about Ashlyn made it hard to leave her but he reluctantly moved away, giving her space to regain her senses.

When Ashlyn regained her senses she looked up at Ryker, giving him a small smile that made his heart throb for a moment. "Send me the details, I'd be honored to design something special for you."

The two exchanged numbers and parted ways. Ashlyn sat beside her brother, lost in thought as she replayed her time with Ryker over and over again.

Mikhail smirked, his tone teasing and playful. "So you and Alpha Ryker hmm?"

Ashlyn was startled by him, she looked at her brother in shock. "N..No! W.. We just met!"

"Oh? Y'all looked pretty cozy little sis" he smirked as her face reddened more.

"I.. It was a business transaction! N.. Nothing more!" The more she protested, the more he teased until she had beaten him up just enough to assert her dominance. He conceded and the two laughed, ending the night on a positive note.

As Ashlyn readied herself for bed she received messages from Ryker, simple messages about his request for a necklace for his mother. He included some personal details for her, mostly likes and dislikes but also incorporated her achievements, birthday and her birth pack. Ashlyn was able to construct a few different ideas from the information and spent the last moments awake sketching passionately.

Things seemed calm around the pack house. No one bothered Ashlyn as she worked tirelessly on her project for Ryker. While she always put her heart into every piece she was pouring every ounce of effort into creating something truly spectacular for Ryker's mother.

It was common knowledge even in this life how much Ryker doted on his mother. He hasn't always been a terrifying person, he was once the most sought after male amongst young she-wolves but when he turned 21 years of age he discovered his fated mate died leaving him mateless. It was difficult enough being a mateless alpha but tragedy struck again when his father passed away in a war against rogues. After that he focused on his pack and his mother who was weakened by losing her mate, in the past she passed away due to illness while Ryker was in a war against rogues.

When he returned from the war he found out his mother had passed away, he was rightfully devastated.The woman the council set to be his chosen Luna had neglected to properly care for his ailing mother leading her condition to rapidly deteriorate until she passed away, alone and neglected, the woman didn't show any remorse and instead looked to be relieved. She hadn't even buried his mother with the deserved honors. He confronted his would be Luna and when she acted nonchalantly about it, even going so far as to complain about what a burden she had been, he lost it.

He killed her and dropped her mangled corpse at her pack's door. Her father, the alpha, tried to fight him in a duel of dominance but Ryker was much stronger and far more ruthless. After killing the former alpha he absorbed that pack and all its assets, making him one of the most powerful packs in both size and wealth. However he refused to ever take a mate. Scaring off, humiliating or killing those that persisted despite his clear warning.

Ashlyn looked down at her sketch, those dark stories making her heart ache for him. While he had already lost his mate and father in this life, his mother was alive and well and Ashlyn had every intention to keep it that way. She wanted to ensure the pendant was blessed by a priestess. That would however mean leaving the pack to visit the temple of the Moon Goddess.

She knew making that trek would catch attention but she decided it was worth it, Ryker had put his trust in her and she was determined to not disappoint him. Quietly she set up a ride to the temple, hoping to avoid Jacob and Lily.

Fortunately she made it safely, visiting a beautiful ancient looking temple built from fine marble and accented with gold. Everything about it was opulent but it missed the warmth of the Moon Goddess that Ashlyn had felt, it felt cold and superficial as she walked the large echoing halls. She made her way to the prayer room, it was the crown jewel of the temple with large stained glass windows and a statue of the elders interpretation of the goddess.

Ashlyn had a hard time believing people trekked far and wide to pray to the Moon Goddess statue that looked nothing like the magnificent beast she had met. It depicted a beautiful woman with wolves curled around her feet submissively. The expression chiselled on its marble face was one of superiority and arrogance. She was lost in thought and hadn't noticed a priestess approaching her.

"Doesn't look like her, does it?" The woman said with a soft, sad smile. She was an older woman. Her eyes dulled with age and her face mapped with years of blessing the masses.

To be a priestess was both a blessing and a curse. They were revered as being the closest to the goddess but they lived lonely lives. A priestess couldn't have a pack, they had to have no affiliations. They had to give up everything to be a priestess and many couldn't live long under the weight of it, to see an elderly priestess was rare.

"It doesn't." Ashlyn said quietly. The two women stared at the statue, the silence growing heavy. Ashlyn finally managed to speak after clearing her throat. "I..I was hoping to get something blessed...it's for someone special." She said shyly as she showed the small, dainty necklace to the priestess.

The elderly woman's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "My it's beautiful, you have a talent my child." She said kindly as she took the pendant in her hands, looking over it carefully. The woman smiled kindly at Ashlyn. "It seems you have an affinity for blessing your own work, there's nothing more I can do." She said calmly as she handed it back to Ashlyn who looked puzzled.

"But ...I didn't do anything..." She said confused as she looked at the necklace in her hands.

The priestess smiled at her, "My dear, the Goddesses blessing is given to those that show their true sincerity."

With that the elderly woman left and Ashlyn was alone with the statue. She looked at the necklace again, watching it shimmer in the dazzling temple lights. She thought about the elderly woman's words and felt a blush creep across her face as she thought of Ryker. Would he like it? Would he find her strange? Ashlyn had no idea but she was feeling strangely confident after her trek to the temple and sent the pictures of the necklace to him.

It's perfect, I expected no less from you Ashlyn. I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow night, 8 pm. Don't be late.

Ashlyn blushed a bit at his text, she couldn't hide the smile on her face as she walked into the house, her focus on Ryker's message when she bumped into Marcus who was carrying a drunk Lily carefully in his arms.

He stumbled over himself to find an excuse or justification but she simply ignored him and continued on her way. Focusing on more important things in her life.