Lost Wolf

Chapter 14

Ashton POV

I sat waiting for Damon's answer when there was a knock at the door and Beta Grady walked in.

"Alpha, I apologize for the interruption but I have some information you are going to want to see."

"You're both going to want to see," Grady said turning toward me.

Damon straightened waiting for Grady to continue.

"I did some research on Ashton's mark" Grady paused for a moment.

Damon obviously asked him to look into me. I should be pissed but I was too curious. Truth is, if Damon would have asked my permission I would have said yes anyways.

I gave a slight nod toward Grady waiting for him to continue.

"There is a pack that is thought to be extinct. The Eclipse Fang. They carried marks similar to the one on Ashton's leg and worshipped eclipses instead of the full moon. The pack members were lost after a war." Grady stated.

"So the pack must not be extinct, just in hiding. Which would explain why Ashton wasn't aware of our world." Damon said.

"Yes but there's something else," Grady said. He looked toward me again, seeming nervous. I waited.

"According to legend, the last Shadow heir was hidden among the humans. When that heir returns, the pack will be rise again at the next total eclipse. That heir will bear this mark." Grady said handing us a book.

I glanced at the book and my heart began pounding in my chest.

The mark was the exact mark that sat on my thigh.

"No way, this is absolutely impossible. I'm nobody. I'm certainly not some ancient heir. It's just a coincidence or myth" I said to myself more than anyone else.

Damon POV

I watched Ashton while Grady spoke. I hoped she wouldn't be too angry at me for investigating her background. I also didn't want to overwhelm her. She is just learning what most pups grow up learning in just a few days.

With this new information, it is even more important that she stays here and learns to control her wolf.

"Suppose the legend of the shadow heir was true, and Ashton is that heir, does anything specify what needs to happen in order for the pack to rise. Beyond an eclipse?" I asked Grady.

"Not that I have a seen but we are continuing to pull resources for further investigation" Grady confirmed.

"Thank you" I said giving him a nod.

He nodded in return as he left the room. I turned back toward Ashton, studying her face and posture before saying anything.

"Ashton..." I finally said while lightly touching her shoulder.

"I don't understand. This can't be right. I'm only 18, a senior in high school. I'm supposed to graduate and go to college. This can't be real." she said on the verge of tears.

"I understand this is a lot. We will just take it one day at a time. I'll be right here, I'll help you every step of the way." I lightly rubbed her shoulder as I spoke.

She looked up at me teary eyed. "Why?"

I froze. I wanted to tell her. My wolf desperately wanted me to tell her and claim what was his. But what if this sends her over the edge. What if it makes her run from us. I can't loose her. I won't.

But what if it makes her feel safe and like she belongs my wolf responded to my spiral.

I let out a deep sigh.

"Wolves have something called a mate bond. It is something every wolf longs for and once you sense your bond with your goddess given mate you would do anything for that person."

Ashton just stared at me.

"Ashton, you're my goddess given mate."

My pulse sped up waiting for her reaction.