Ashes Of Desire

Chapter 3

“My wife?” I thought

I couldn't see his eyes, but I could tell that he was angry from the undertone growl of his wolf as he spoke.

Turning his head to look at me. His brow frowned as he asked...

"Are you hurt?" His voice sounded normal.

'Me? W..what?' I was stunned to speak for a while, I ended up stammering.

"Y…yes. I mean no, I'm good."

"Thank the moon she's okay. Guards!" He called out, trying to suppress his anger.

Tony was dumbfounded, his facial expression a mix of shock, and anger.

Two of Draven's men instantly rushed to the scene. They grabbed Tony by the arm and attempted to drag him out.

"Oh, don’t worry, love..." He struggled in their grips. "You’ll see me again. You always do."

He bared his teeth at me, as I watched them take him away.

Before they could leave though, I squinted my eyes at a detail on one of the men's arms as he tried to lift Tony.

'It was the crest Rosa talked about.' I thought to myself, taking instinctive steps towards them.

I turned to see if Abby caught on too. Affirming, I gave her a silent order to follow them.

"Cara, wife?..." A deep baritone voice spoke to me. I cringed at the pride I could hear in his voice.

'I almost forgot about him!' I whined, faking a smile as I turned to look at him.

"Hmm?" I fluttered my lashes,

"Any problem?" He asked, acting concerned.

"No," I replied sharply, barely abstaining from rolling my eyes.

"Then please, join me for a walk in the garden. The weather this evening is nice, don't you think?..." He held out his hand politely.

To not escalate the drama that has already occurred, I grabbed his arm gently. I could see through his public display, but I wanted a private audience with him anyway, so it didn't hurt.

Holding my hands, he slowly tugged at my arm. Not expecting the strange gesture, I had lost my footing and fell right into his arms.

"What Cara? You so yearn to be locked in my embrace. Have you no shame? People are watching."

I discreetly brought my stiletto heel down on his foot, applying brutal pressure. He didn't flinch, but a muscle in his jaw ticked, and the smug smile on his face faded

"Enough games!" I whispered, as I led the way.

He followed.

***

"Slow down, no one's after you darling..." He joked, stopping in his tracks.

The garden was just as beautiful as everything I have seen in the hotel. The deep orange glow of the setting sun gave a nice tone to the flowers that surrounded us. It was only a matter of time before the glow went out and the blue night sky took over.

"Cut the game, Draven. What do you want?!" I turned to look at him, too upset to appreciate the beauty of nature.

"No, honey..." He said in a pitiful tone. "Not what I want, what you need from me!"

Drawing closer, as his dark eyes dug into my face, I could see the mischievous smile on his lips.

"Why are you being so stubborn, Cara? Everything that happened between us in the past should remain in the past!"

"You made wolf academy hell for me, because you didn't know my identity. What's your excuse now? You keep stealing all of my investors and now you expect me to take that lying down?”

“Why are you so willing to help me all of a sudden? What happened to the sworn enemy saga you have immaturely pursued all this time"

"You break my heart, Cara..."

"Save it. I'm not interested in being your puppet. I decline your marriage proposal. Period!"

"So you think this is a trick?"

"I know it is."

"You're right!" He gloated. "And you don't get to negotiate with me. You're cornered and I'm offering a hand..."

"I don't need your help!" I snapped, beyond annoyed.

"Help?!" He threw his head back and laughed out loud. "What a joke? This is not salvation, sweetheart. It's nothing but a strategic business acquisition."

The way he stressed each word made his arrogance infuriating to me now. "I absorb my rival and gain access to her Pack's assets. As simple as that! But it's assured, her company will rise again to its former glory..."

I just stared at him and without another word, turned and started leaving. If you wish to hurt the ego of a self-absorbed prince who loves listening to his own voice, you simply let him do just that!

"You have a week Cara. Sometimes, the enemy you know is safer than the ones you can't see." He said, sounding pissed now.

I turned my head and stared at him again.

"Bite me Drav!"

And with that, I left the cold wind outside to find Abby. I was getting a little worried about her.

***

Through one of the corridors that would lead outside, I increased my pace, getting impatient.

My eyes searched the spacious hallway, as I listened to the soft music that played in the distant event.

As I approached the exit, my steps slowed. The sky was already twinkling with stars, and my chest heaved for breath.

Who knows what we could find?

"Cara!" I heard someone call out to me in the darkness, and soon, my nerves calmed as I saw a familiar outline of a blonde girl's leather suit.

Her ponytail flowed in the wind as she ran to me. She was short of breath too, and I had to look behind her to make sure she wasn't pursued.

"What is it?" I questioned her, but she grabbed my hand and took deep breaths, hoping it would halt her panting and let her speak

"This place is not safe, let's go somewhere more private..." She heaved, pulling me along with her.

I would have suggested the garden, but the memory of Draven's infuriating presence there was still too fresh. Her choice of a secluded balcony was better.

"Did you find anything? What about the tattoo, it matches right?" I asked immediately if we were alone.

She nodded in affirmation and I almost squealed. Noticing she wasn't as excited as I was, I added...

"But?"

"All of them had it too."

"What?!" I asked my expression quickly, going back to sadness

"But I found another thing..." Abby cut in, squeezing her face in uncertainty.

Pulling out her mobile phone she showed me a picture. In the picture was a classy ring, and when I looked closer, I could see the three claw marks from my parents' murder scene.

It was very discreet, it'd take a good and sharp eye to notice. I opened my mouth in shock and eventually asked...

"Whose is it?"

She hesitated, her green eyes filled with a dread that mirrored my own. 'Cara...' she whispered, her voice trembling.

"It's Draven's."