Chapter 1
**Prologue**
It was dark.
The chilly night was filled with the distant echoes of muffled branches as they danced due to the cool breeze. The gentle glow of the moon illuminated the surface, hanging solely among the clouds.
Other than the gently swerving of the dried-up branches of the winter trees, and the low undertone of sauntering caused by the little critters of the night, the entire atmosphere was silent.
The quietness made even the littlest change in atmosphere audible by those who sat under the milky moon, enjoying the night's cool embrace.
Seated on special mats in an organized circle, five mature-looking men glanced at one another, waiting for the first to mention what plagued their thoughts. The elephant in the room was glaring to everyone, but the men cowardly waited for who to point it out.
For this special meeting, they had left their Betas in the Pack, making it an Alpha-exclusive gathering.
After all, the issue at hand was beyond sensitive.
"Ehem…" One of them finally cleared his throat.
The men turned and all their eyes darted to the one who made the sound. Appearing uncomfortable, yet relieved that he spoke, they awaited his words.
"Lord Asher… Is it not time to make your choice? I am convinced that I am not the only one who shares this belief…" The man began, breaking the long-held silence amongst the council of grown men.
The men who looked at the one who spoke tilted their heads in the opposite direction. They all faced the one who was being addressed. Glancing at the platform above theirs, a seat was placed majestically on the smoothie rock, firm and strong. Having several ornaments wrapped around it, wolf skin, as well as countless tooth and body parts of several creatures, the throne was gloriously placed in front of all the men who sat on their mats.
The one who sat on the throne, addressed by the audacious man as Lord Asher, sighed as he placed his hands lightly on his chin. He looked weary, distracted from the meeting, even though he was the center of attraction.
"Benson… Speak plainly. What are you implying?" He said in his deep and dominating voice.
His tone, coupled with the glare in his eyes as he narrowed them, caused the rest of the Alphas to tremble slightly. Even the Alpha, Benson, was not immune to the effects of his overwhelming presence.
"W-What I mean is… You promised us that by our next Convergence, you would have your Mate ready. However, here we are… Yet there is no mate. Lord Asher… We, the Alpha council of Oregon woods, are concerned about your wellbeing." Alpha Benson retorted, stammering initially.
"Oh? And who says I am answerable to you all concerning this matter? Finding one's Mate is a personal journey for a Werewolf. Who are you to question my private affairs?" Asher, the lord over the Alphas asked in a condescending tone.
A strained look of dissatisfaction appeared on Benson's face, clearly displeased by Asher's tone to him. However, he could not forget his place. He had no choice but to play along… For now.
"I do not mean to sound intrusive. However, it has come to my notice that you have indeed found a mate and that she is currently in your Pack. The Alphas are curious as to why you have refused to make this known to us… Especially after you gave your word." Benson replied, making a much more assertive claim.
Asher clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
How did they find out about his mate? She had only spent a short while in the Pack, so there was no way for the information to get leaked out. Could it be the Alpha's daughter who came to visit his pack? But there was no way she could have said anything. She never left the village, to begin with.
"Lord Asher, need I remind you that as the Wolf King, your world carries the most weight within these woods. You stated that your Mate would have been found before now, and you are to be held accountable for that" Alpha Benson continued.
Asher tapped his fingers on the armrest of his throne impatiently. He knew what he said, and his role to play as the Leader of all Werewolf kind in the woods. His words were law.
However, he kept his end of the bargain. He found his mate, he took her in… They bonded. However… She left him.
"I do not know where you got your assertion from, Benson, but without reasonable proof, those are nothing but confused statements," Asher responded with a menacing tone, wishing the old man would just keep quiet and let the matter die.
However, Alpha Benson was just getting started. Upon realizing how the issue bothered Asher, he decided to hit harder.
"But, Lord Asher… The one whom you need with… Is it my very own daughter…" He declared.
Immediately he said this, the entire council gasped in shock, surprised by what Benson had said. They all looked at one another with disbelieving glances. Murmurs and whispers circulated among them as they speculated in hushed tones.
"Enough!" Asher suddenly said, slightly banging his hand on the armrest of his throne.
The Alphas immediately fell silent upon hearing Asher's dominating voice.
"What are you trying to insinuate, Benson?" Asher asked.
The old man smiled and shook his head slightly.
"Nothing, Lord Asher. I was just wondering when you were going to tell us here about your successful Bonding with my daughter, and the night you spent together…" He said slyly.
"That wasn't what happened!" Asher responded quickly, banging his hand on his throne in annoyance.
He was sick of explaining this to everyone. Whether it was Dax, Rita, 'Her'… And now this… They all looked at him with the same eyes of surprise. It agitated him to no end.
"Nothing happened!"
He kept saying this to them, but no one believed it. And now Benson blurted this in front of the highest authority in the woods. What was going on?
"So, you're not denying the fact that you did spend the night together with my daughter…?" Benson asked.
Asher wasn't in the right mood to properly respond to the sly remarks of Benson. He was too flustered and caught up with his true mate, and the heartbreak he felt within himself. His loneliness distracted him from his usual logical self, letting him slip up in such an important meeting.
"W-We did spend the night together, but I do not remember what happened, and I'm certain nothing transpired between us" Asher raised his defense.
This caused another wave of murmurs to rise amongst the Alphas seated at the Zenith.
"Lord Asher, it seems you do not realize the implications of your action, either that or you're deliberately avoiding it" Benson stated.
Asher's face depicted discomfort. He didn't like where this was headed.
"According to custom, spending the night with a female adult is akin to bonding between mates, in the process of lovemaking. In the eyes of our laws, despite your contrary words, you have mated with Camilla, my daughter… And therefore must take her in as your new mate." Benson recited, looking at Asher boldly.
Asher clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He now realized that this was a setup against him. From the start, this was their plan. But from when? How long was it in motion? He had no idea.
"You speak nonsense. I just told you I didn't do anything to her!" Asher responded harshly.
This made a lot of Alphas frown at his treatment of Benson. They all stared at him with suspicious gazes, as one who refused to take responsibility for his actions… As an incompetent leader.
Asher remembered those looks. They were similar to the time after he just became the Wolf King, defeating the previous one in a contest of strength and wits.
The council was hesitant to accept him. They all witnessed his power, but they still looked at him as one who was still just a child.
"He has no Mate" They whispered amongst themselves.
"How will he lead the tribe when he doesn't have a family of his own"
"I heard he even banished his father from his pack… Is this the kind of King we'll be having?"
"The only thing he has going for him is strength"
They underestimated his other abilities and gave him gazes of distrust. However, after spending time with them, they all had no choice but to admit to his superior cognitive abilities and maturity in addition to his strength. In addition to power, he had everything else it took to be their leader.
He convinced them with his efforts alone.
But now, Asher could tell… He was once again losing the trust of the Council. They had grown impatient from waiting endlessly for Asher's Mate. Having no Mate and family was absurd for a Pack leader, talk less of the Grand Alpha of the tribe.
Plus, he had given them his word, and now it seemed he broke his promise. Finally, with Benson's claim, the confidence he built with them was beginning to crumble.
"… This is bad…" Asher thought to himself.
His kingdom was breaking apart, and his heart was as well. Since that day, he had not remained the same. The disappearance of his Mate and his longing for her continued to plague Asher even in his dreams.
He was too immersed in it to perform his duties properly, leaving Dax to handle most of his responsibilities.
Everything was falling apart, and he felt like he was unraveling… All because of one person.
"Roxanne… Where are you now…?" He muttered to himself.
"I-I need you… Roxanne…"
*****
"Ladies and Gentlemen…"
The commentator's voice boomed as the intense match unfolded before everyone's eyes. The audience could not contain their excitement as their widened eyes screamed for more. They raised their hands in cheers, supporting their respective candidates.
This was a match of the ages!
"Huff… Huff…" She let out in an exhausted tone.
"Our contestants keep at each other, looks like they're both still raring to go! Who will win this? The final match of the season… Who will be our next leading champion?!"
Her trembling legs and shaking hands struggled to keep firm as her narrowed eyes focused on her opponent. With sweat brimming all over her skin, her well built and slender body took her fighting stance, refusing to give in the gnawing pangs of fatigue.
"Just this last one… This last match…" She muttered.
Her opponent lunged at her with his strong arm, sending it straight at her in a jab since she seemed distracted. However, using her keen senses, she instinctively dodged the blow, drawing closer to the enemy after making such a careless move.
"You're wide open!" She declared.
He too must have been tired of how the fight dragged on, and frustrated by how nimble his prey was. This made him resort to careless moves, especially since he was confident she wouldn't be able to handle his large frame and subdue him.
He was wrong.
Grabbing his widely stretched hand, Roxanne turned, quickly curling behind him as she twisted his hand, causing him to stumble, wincing in pain. He lost his balance due to her offset, and she used this opportunity to bend and cut him short at his roots.
Breaking his stance with her legs, she caused the giant to lose all footing and fall on the ground with a thud.
"Gahhhh" He yelled as his back landed on the hard surface beneath.
Quickly dashing to the fallen opponent, refusing to give him a chance to recover, the young woman hinged her elbow and fell on the man's body.
The sharp thrust she gave landed on his chest, causing him to bellow out in pain, glaring at her with a gleam of hate in his eyes.
He tried to grab her smaller frame, compared to his, but she was too nimble to be caught by his sluggish movements.
The girl quickly locked her arms around the man's neck, holding him in submission.
"Gruahhhhhh" He yelled, struggling to break free from her hold, but finding himself trapped in her deadlock.
She supported her firm grip on him with her legs, restraining him even more. He growled and rage, his muscles searing intensely in order to burst forth from the constraints of her arms.
It was no good.
After exerting himself, he began to feel his weakened state even more. This was followed by the gnawing pain of her lock on him. As she twisted his hands further and tightened her hold on his neck, he could no longer contain the agony which enveloped him.
"Arrggghhhh" He screamed.
His desperate shouts and appeals for release were drowned by the loud noise of the crowd. Mixed voices of cheers, jeers and dissatisfied grunts filled the air. No one could hear his plea for help, no one but he assaulted.
"Just give up!" She urged him.
However, he shook his head vehemently. There was no way he would demean himself and lose to such a young girl.
"Shut up, bitch! Just you wait, when I get my hands on you, I'm gonna-"
The young girl twisted his hands even further and increased the pressure on his neck, causing him to sing another melody of pain.
"Submit!" She commanded with a fierce tone, her eyes glowing brighter without her knowing.
The opponent heard this, but mistook it for auditory hallucination. He was getting dizzy, and the pain was making him hear things. Besides, he couldn't bother about it when the searing agony of his tendons and muscles screamed at him.
His stubbornness dissipated as his instincts kicked in. He couldn't handle it any more.
>BAM! BAM! BAM!<
He heavily hit his palm on the hard surface he lay on, desperately pleading to be released.
Upon seeing his surrender, she released her hold on him, causing him to gasp desperately for air while wincing in the remnant of pain that lingered even after he had been freed.
"Awwww! Such a shame. It seems our victor has already been decided. Diablo has tapped out after being subjugated by our lovely rookie, and the final champion of this season. Let's all give it up forrrrrrrrr…." The announcer's voice boomed, rousing a noise of cheer from the audience.
Chants could already be heard as the audience repeated the name of their champion. The tempo increased as the weary girl rose from the floor slowly.
Everyone knew their winner. While there were some complaints here and there, the voices of displeasure were easily overwhelmed by the cheerful cries of victory and celebration.
"…. The winner of this season goes to none other than…."
"… The Black Cat!!!!" His voice reverberated across the entire room.
Immediately, the anticipating audience erupted in a loud, victorious noise.
"I-I won…?!" She muttered to herself, full of sweat and exhaustion. She looked across the large room and saw all eyes on her, the audience clapped and raised their voice to celebrate her win.
The sight made her heart race in excitement. Joy and fulfillment overflowed from within her.
"T-Thank you all!" She said with a beaming smile, raising her two hands above her to signify victory.
Though she was breathing heavily and she felt so tired she could pass out, she had never felt this rush of emotions before… The warmth of the crowd and the ever bustling feeling of victory… Standing at the very top… She loved every moment of it!
As she continued to bask in the awe and cheers if her and fans, the announcer's voice emerged once again
"Now then, without waiting any more of our time…"
As she heard the word 'time' from the announcer, the girl felt like she was missing something. There was somewhere else she had to be… She was running out of time!
"Asher!" She muttered as her eyes widened in realization.
Disregarding everything else the announcer said, the girl took off instantly. She ignored the award which was being brought up for her as she left the stage, exciting the building itself in an instant.
"Wha-?! Where do you think you're going?!" The manager of the underground wrestling arena protested as he watched Roxanne race past him.
She ignored his words and kept running straight ahead. Only one thing was on her mind.
Yes, she had her fun.
Yes, she had gotten the fulfillment and achievement she desired
However, she wanted something now, more than anything else…
"Asher… I'm coming… My answer, I'll give it to you now!"
Everything came crashing down when she saw it, the horrible sight which turned the life she had dreamed about around.
"A-Asher…?!" She muttered, not entirely sure what to make of the scene.
Her lover and mate, sleeping with another woman… That was something she had never imagined in her wildest thoughts.
"It's not what you think… Please just hear me out!" Asher begged.
"Shut up! What doesn't it look like? Asher… You…" She screamed.
Immediately, she ran out of the room, leaving the house behind as she fled.
She was going to disappear forever. The pangs of pain she felt within her was twirling and turning her insides.
Deep down she wanted him to hold her hand, to grab her and not let go… To tell her that she was mistaken about it.
And that was exactly what he did.
"Roxanne!" He called her name.
Grabbing her arm with a tight grip, his hard palm caressed her tired body.
"Roxanne… Don't go… Please… I didn't do anything to her, I swear!" He pleased, drawing her close to him.
She weakly resisted, fighting the urge to collapse into Asher's arms.
"Y-You cheater…." She muttered, tears flowing from her eyes.
"I would never do that to you, Roxanne… After all… I love you!" He whispered.
Her heart melted as she heard this, and her tensed muscles which resisted his passionate hold loosened. She let herself go, freely falling into his chest, as he embraced her warmly.
"You fought hard, Roxanne… And you won the match. I'm so proud of you, Roxanne. You did well…" Asher whispered into her ears, encouraging her about events he should have no memory of.
"Asher…" Roxanne moaned.
"I'm so happy to hear you say that…" She sniffed and smiled softly, ignoring the common sense that rang in her head.
Somewhere within her, she knew the truth, but she wanted to stay this way for a little longer. She didn't want to face the harsh truth.
"Asher… How much do you love me?" She asked, smiling comfortably as his embrace tightened.
"I love you more than anything, Roxanne… But, you've still not given me your answer. Do you love me?" He asked her, staring intensely at her.
This was her queue. This time for sure, she would say it.
She had to say it… The words she had kept to herself for so long. Right there and then, she would pour out her feelings.
"Asher… I-I… I lo-"
Slowly, the world around her began to fade away, the details disappeared as reality collapsed.
Fear began to spread all through her heart. No, it couldn't be. She couldn't accept it, she wouldn't!
This had to be real, this was how the end was supposed to go. Everything was already going well. This was finally her turn, she would tell him her answer and they would lock it in a kiss. She looks at Asher, happy to still have him holding unto her. As long as he was still here, then maybe…
"Roxanne… You should tell me how you feel… Tell the real me… Roxanne, I'm waiting for your answer…" His voice echoed, as he too slowly faded away.
"Asher, Nooooo!!!!" She screamed, stretching her hands desperately to reach for the intangible.
As the harsh winds of winter blew on her face and blinded her sight, she was reminded once again, that everything that had just happened was nothing… But a dream!
"Asheeeerrrr!!!" Roxanne screamed as she woke up from her sleep
Slowly, she realized that she wasn't in the world she had been just a few moments ago. Now in reality, she groaned to herself, shaking her head slightly as she covered her face with both of her palms.
"Not again…" She muttered.
Once again, she had dreamt about her mate, and how she had wished things ended between them. The lingering regrets she had, joined by her deep connection with Asher as her mate, caused Roxanne to travel to the realm of the subconscious to meet with her lover and replay the same scene over and over again!
"Roxanne… What are you doing?" She asked herself.
Disappointed by her immersion in the illusion that she created for herself in the dream.
Despite what she saw that night, Roxanne couldn't bring herself to hate Asher. She even longed after him even more, as the fine continued to pass.
Though she often waved the thoughts aside, Roxanne couldn't help but ask herself…
"Asher. I wonder what he's up to now…"
