chapter 14: Asher's POV

"She won't be coming" My beta's voice burst through the heavy silence that had earlier clouded the room and also my mind.

Since our arrival at Blackthorn Pack two nights ago, I hadn't met with my Luna-to-be, Mira.

"Hmm, interesting" I scoffed as I continued to drink from my wine glass. "I see she enjoys playing hide and seek."

William stared at me before flashing me a knowing smile. "What do you intend to do, Ash?"

"Nothing, I don't intend on doing anything. I have no intention of giving into her and her mother's childish games." I took another sip, my expression indifferent.

"We shall meet when it's time for the ceremony, she had better not be a sore sight to look at."

William laughed as he poured himself some wine. "I'm sure she wants you to look for her and chase after her."

"That's too bad for her, I'm in no mood for silly games." I sighed, stretching my legs lazily.

‘I don't want to be here you arrogant fool' Ragnar's cold voice echoed in my head.

'Our mate could be in trouble or worse' he added in a frustrated tone.

I understand him, he hasn't taken the news of banishing our fated mate lightly. But I believe with time, he will come around and understand it's for our own good.

'Okay' I casually replied to him.

'It's been days now since you banished her despite knowing who she was..'

'What should I say? I did what was best for the future of our pack. For us' I continued, my fingers tapping against my glass. 'There is no need fussing over someone who holds no importance and value in our lives, Ragnar.'

'Mate bond or not—she can't be our Luna.’

The silence that answered my statement was louder than any bang, and it meant only one thing.

Anger.

My Wolf was angry, no, he was furious.

I calmly took another sip of my wine while trying my best to listen to the words William was trying to say to me, but the silence of Ragnar' didn't last for long.

'You annoying brat, that girl holds a lot of importance to us and you know it. She isn't just anyone, she is our mate.'

I groaned inwardly. Here we go again. Ever since I banished that girl, Ragnar has refused to let the sleeping dogs lie.

'The one you regard as our mate is weak and of no proper use to us, she would only serve as a burden and an unnecessary distraction. And you know we've not got the time for that.'

I sighed, rubbing my temple. 'Besides, when our enemies find out we have a weak mate, they will come after her, just to get to me.’

William stared at me for a while. "Are you okay Asher,? You seem tense and uneasy."

"I guess I need a breath of fresh air." I stood up and walked towards the patio with my beta, trailing behind me.

And then came Ragnar again. 'You could have just rejected her and acted indifferent towards her, instead of sending her to her early grave, you idiot.'

'Hmm' I calmly replied, unbothered. 'Blame the goddess for her ill fate, not me.'

That omega girl might have been my mate. Our mate. But she wasn't worth being our Luna, she wasn't worth ruling the pack with me.

She was just a weak, naive, lowly omega. The moon goddess must have made a mistake choosing her as my mate.

But Ragnar was right, banishing her was a bit extreme…not that it was my problem though.

"The girl? Any news about her?" I asked, my voice colder than before.

William stared at me for a while before darting his eyes towards the gate of the palace realizing who I was referring to.

"No news of her, last time word reached our ears was that she was being trailed by rogues." he paused

"She must be dead by now"

I felt bile rise up my throat as Ragnar stirred restlessly at the words that had been mentioned.

Dead.

'Pray that's not true, Asher.’ Ragnar growled slowly.

"And her mother?" I coldly asked William. Though I tried so hard to appear indifferent, my hands tightened around my glass.

"In a state of shock as to what had happened to her daughter." William answered simply, he took a sip of his wine as his eyes wandered around the surrounding.

"For all we know she might already be dead. But was banishing her really necessary? You could have just punished her, Asher"

I sighed in irritation. Why is everyone asking me the same question like I committed a big crime in doing the right thing for myself and the Nightfall pack?

I shook my head. "How sad." which made Ragnar stir again

Mate.

I noticed that a carriage entered the palace and the servants all rushed out to greet whoever it was that had arrived, but I couldn't care less. I was in no mood to think about guests so I quietly drank my wine, happy that William had stopped asking questions.

"Seems we have some very important guests. the Luna might just be doing the most." William sarcastically said while I turned my head to the direction he was staring at.

"Ohh, and he isn't alone, how oddly interesting." he smirked.

"Who is it?" I dryly asked as I stared at a figure that was barely visible due to the crowd.

The person had his hand stretched out while a pair of milk hands held onto his gently, a hooded woman.

Then it hit me.

That aura—so annoyingly powerful, so intimidatingly familiar—could belong to only one person.

The prince of Lycans, Dante Valious, had arrived.