“Father,” I called as I arrived at the training grounds. The old man whose low cut black hair seemed to beam under the sun’s glorious rays turned to me with a stern look. “Sebastian.” He noted. “Training is over, you may disperse!” He ordered the men before him. “Yes, Alpha Frederick!” They chorused sharply and then dispersed while I joined him by the side. “How was your mission?” He sported a quizzical look. “We were interrupted by werewolf hunters. Only Jason and I were lucky to escape.” I answered and his disgust painted evidently all over his face. “Hunters?” “Yes father,” I gulped down my saliva whilst getting flashes of how monstrous they had been. “They weren’t just ordinary hunters. It was the Luxton brothers, Alston and Damon.” His left brow arched upwards. “Ash was there,” “Yes.”“And you let him kill my men?” My father growled, causing fear to sprout in me like a seedling. “He was very powerful, father. I could have died if I didn’t escape.”His growl protruded ag

“I’ll never be yours, that’s what she told me, Rico.” I mumbled while Rico bandaged the cuts on my face. “This long slashes shows how much she intends to keep to her word.” He commented but I was barely paying attention to any of his words. I touched my lips remembering how much mine had caressed hers. But I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted every piece of her and I hated it that she knew that. “You know, this is the first time a lady is rejecting me. I’ve always had it easy with them but Autumn? She’s different. Her defiance, her stubbornness vexes me yet I find myself getting enthralled by her presence day by day.” He handed me the mirror so I could see his finished work. The bandage was pretty obvious but I guess this is what I deserve for taunting a fierce werewolf.“The Ash I know wouldn’t allow any werewolf to harm him this way. What happened to you man? What’s so special about her?” I stared at him for a while wondering if I should spill the truth that she was my mate. But then ag

“This is your room.” Ash said as he ushered me into a large room. It was the same one they had brought me after the incident with Sebastian. There were changes though, the bedsheets were a floral shade of red and white. The couch and stool at the left corner of the door side were rather than the black I remembered. The black marble floors were still as reflective as I remembered and the luxurious mahogany wardrobe rooted by the right side of the wall still remained. The room scent was that of jasmine and it almost brought a smile to my face.“I’ll assign three guards to be in charge of your protection. You’ll meet them later,” he said while he closed the door behind us. “Henceforth, you’re no longer allowed to leave this house except for school. And if you have any outing or whatsoever you have to attend, then you must report to me first. Is that clear?” I turned to him with a sharp frown, “are you stripping me of my freedom?” “I’m protecting you.” He quipped back. “No you’re locki

“That fool!” I blurted as I hit the punching bag hard. I didn’t want to think about it much but the morning’s incident kept replaying in my head. Why does Ash have to get the good things? If anything, he wasn’t worthy of Autumn! My breaths escaped in heavy sessions as I rained the bag with several blows till it came off from the ceiling mount. I panted, staring at the bag on the floor. I used the white towel wrapped around my neck to clean my sweats before deciding to hang the bag again. The gym door opened making way for a dark haired slim and curvy lady to saunter in. Skye. Her hair was a mess and she was in her nightgown, enough for me to conclude she just woke. “Good morning!” I teased while she approached me in a lazy fashion. I glanced at the wall clock reading ten minutes past two in the afternoon. “Ah shit,” she sighed while she sat on the weight bench a few meters beside me. “I had a long night yesterday.” “I can tell,” I picked the punching bag to hang it. “Boyfriend?”

“I think this marriage frenzy thing is making you assume things,” I said, “I only brought Autumn with me so my bed won’t be left cold tonight.” She peered suspiciously at me for a while and then smiled. “How is Leon?” “Fine.” “And work?” “Fine too.” She hummed while I downed my champagne hurriedly. “Looks like so much has been happening over there. So much you’re refusing to talk about.” I exhaled deeply.“Ash,” “Today is a joyous occasion. Your day. And I don’t want to ruin it by talking about the affairs of New Orleans.” She shrugged. “I think I’ve already had my fill of today. Let’s deal with you.” “Now you’re sounding like a therapist.” “I am your therapist,” we both chuckled for a brief moment and then I stared into the sky, making shapes with the stars. “It's hellish,” I started in oblivion, “after the old man died, handling the gang and the daily hurdles that came with it was killing more than I imagined,” I sighed. “I’m afraid my father may have picked the wrong per