Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Ashley

You can do this, you can do this, you can do this.

I kept murmuring to myself as the day we have all been waiting for finally arrives. I was still packing my backpack for the trip and a little part of me was advising me to run away.

It's been two weeks still since I started living with Alex and today had been set aside as the start of the initiation process.

Alex has so far taught me how to defend myself, how to use a bow and arrow, and how to survive on my own should in case anything happens out there.

I honestly feel I do not have what it takes to pull this through but with encouragement from Grace and Alex, I am willing to give it a try.

Alex had assured me that I should not be scared of anything as his best friend would be going with me on the journey.

Now that is where another of my fear creeps from, everyone here knows that Jessica wants to be the Luna and that she is not happy that Alex didn't pick her for the position.

How am I supposed to feel protected by some who feels I stole her birthright?

I sighed out exhausted as I did the finishing touches to my backpack.

Just then, the door opened and Alex walked in. He was looking very handsome in the blue jeans and white shirt he had on.

It's been awkward between the two of us since that kiss we shared weeks ago. We have both been trying to stay out of each other way.

It's been difficult for me especially since I find him irresistibly attractive. I know my place, that I am just a slave but my heart seems to have a mind of its own.

My eyes long to see him, my ears itch to hear his sweet voice, and my body yawn to be touched by him.

I have also noticed that he has not brought any other girl home since that morning and honestly I do not understand some of his actions towards me.

The way he stares at me, the way his eyes ravage my whole body as if I am standing naked next to him, makes me nervous and weak.

“Are you done,” he asked, his voice bringing me back from my dream world.

I looked at him subconsciously wondering if he could read my mind, and quickly turned my face away when I noticed he had that look again.

The one that makes me nervous around him, that makes my cheeks heat up due to shyness. I tried to concentrate on what I was doing trying to completely ignore his question which I did not even remember what he asked.

But what I didn't expect him to do was walk towards me, my breath got caught in my throat as he moved closer.

“I asked you a question,” he said throwing a hand around my waist, making me look up till my gaze matches up with his.

“I, l, I...” I was stammering when his lips came crashing against mine.

He kissed me as if his life depended on it, thrusting his tongue to every corner of my mouth. His hold around my waist tightens as he kept the assault on my lips.

Then I felt those electric sparks again, they were much stronger this time, so I lean on him for support, I didn't want to break this off. I was not sure I was going to return anyways so I wanted this to be the last memory I took with me.

His breath grew thick while he devoured me as I became weakened under his stronghold.

“You have to come back here in one piece,” he whispered close to my ears nipping on them gently.

His voice and his touch had my entire body on fire, I wanted way more than what he was offering even though I know it might not be possible.

He is an Alpha king to be Ashley, he only pities you, he does not love you, he is not supposed to love you. You are just a slave girl that even your parents wished they never had. This kiss could mean that he is scared for me.  A tiny voice kept ringing in my ears.

His lips moved to my neckline gently to the spot where he is supposed to mark me, I felt his fangs grease the spot a bit.

The feeling sent my body into explosive fireworks as I held him tightly.

It wasn't too deep but enough to be seen by anyone close to me that there is a mark there.

I wondered why he did that as he was not supposed to Mark me till I returned, but his lips kissing his mark made me forget about my worries.

“You need to cover this up,” he said as he moved away from me.

I slowly moved to the mirror stand and took a concealer to hide the mark without questioning him even if I wanted to.

The knock-on his door told us that it was time, I sighed deeply and moved away from the mirror to carry my backpack but he was faster at carrying it than me.

He gestured for me to go out first before he followed me closely behind.

***

We were standing at the woods entrance with the Pack chiefs, and the pack members as they bid us farewell in the woods.

Jessica got all the attention as if she was the one going into the Woods to become the luna, even Alexander didn't hold back in showering her with love and praises.

I felt jealous, I know I shouldn't be but I was.

I was happy to see grace and June as they were the only ones that I had as friends.

By the time they were done with all the ceremonies, it was time for the alpha in charge to address us. He didn't have much to say, his facial expression shows that he was happy but the tone in which he spoke shows that he was indifferent about everything.

“I am here to wish our soon-to-be luna a safe return from the woods if the goddess so wishes it,” he said.

With that Jessica and I moved closer to the line demarcating the pack from the dark forest.

Just before I could cross the line, I felt Alexander's hand pull me to himself as he stares at me in his usual way.

His lips came gently on my lips.

There was a mild shock reaction from me and the other pack members, and I could feel Jessica's eyes bulging holes all over my body.

Wait! Did he just kiss me in front of everyone?

With a surprised look on my face, I kissed him back gently. It feel nice, it was reassuring and gave me a sense of belonging.

“I just want you to know what you will miss, should in case you decide to give up out there, he said as he let go of my hand.

“Be safe out there,” he said with a smile while handling the backpack. I smiled as I took the backpack and had it strapped on my back.

The kiss seem to have softened the heart of some of the pack members as some who had completely ignored me earlier waved and bid their goodbye.

I smiled at Grace and June who never stopped waving till we were out of their sight.

“Pick up my bag,” I heard Jessica say as soon as we were all alone,

I looked around wondering who she was talking to, but a dirty slap from her made me realize I was the one.

“So you think because you are going to be the luna you can afford to ignore my orders? Get one thing straight, you were brought into the pack as a slave and a slave you will forever be in the eyes of everyone,” she spat in venom.