12. Plans> Lies> Betrayl

The cool evening air was calm, and Annatoria and Asher strolled side by side, their steps steady on the forest trail. The silence between them wasn't heavy; it was companionable, but Annatoria eventually broke it. It was already getting awkward. For minutes, not even a word, proceeded their lips.

"I want to start over," she said, her voice low but firm. "I don't want to carry the weight of sadness anymore." She paused, then fixed her eyes on Asher.

Asher turned his head slightly, surprised but pleased. "Now that's a change no one expected. Go on, Annatoria," he teased, a sly grin playing on his lips.

She rolled her eyes and gave him a playful shove. "There you go, making jokes again." It'd always been a habit of Asher. He'd make jokes even at the serious moments.

"Alright, no more jokes," he promised, raising his hands in mock surrender. "So, what's your plan?"

"I've been thinking about resuming work," she admitted, slightly raising her shoulders.

"Work?" Asher repeated, frowning slightly as he tried to recall details she had shared before.

"Yes. I'm a veterinary doctor, remember?" Annatoria said with a small, proud smile.

Recognition dawned on his face, and he nodded. "Oh, right. You mentioned that when you hurt your ankle that night." He smacked his palms together.

"Exactly." She gave him a slight nod. "I was always the nerd in school, the one who actually liked the pressure. My parents were proud of me—" Her words faltered, and her smile dimmed slightly as memories surfaced. Things she wasn't supposed to say.

Asher noticed and changed the subject, bowing with exaggerated courtesy. "I'm honored to walk with such an accomplished lady."

Annatoria burst into laughter, the moment of tension passing quickly. As they continued deeper into the woods, she added, "Being an Alpha keeps me busy, but I miss my work. My hospital has been closed for three years. It's time to reopen it."

Asher stopped walking, eyebrows raised. "Wait—are you telling me you own the Kenwood Animal Home?"

"Yes," she said simply, folding her arms and waiting for his response.

The Kenwood Animal Hospital was a big, known hospital that was suddenly closed down. It was the place where pets and animals were treated for free. News had it among the shifters at a time that, the owners were some rich Korean Lycan couple but something about him-Asher refused to believe.

As she spoke of it, his wolf called him to remember that hospital.

He stared at her, incredulous. "You're full of surprises, Annatoria."

Her soft chuckle was the only response as they walked on, the daylight fading into the horizon. After a few moments of quiet, Annatoria grinned mischievously.

"Let's do something fun."

"Fun? Like what?" Asher asked, his tone wary but amused.

"Let's shift," she said, her eyes gleaming. "First one back to the pack wins. The loser owes the winner a gift!"

Asher's grin spread wide. "You're on!" He bent to the ground, as he was about to begin the shifting process. It normally took him less than 1 minute to shift but today, something in him waited for some seconds.

They were just preparing to shift when a low growl echoed through the trees, halting them both.

Asher's expression hardened. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice sharp. His eyes went wide with shock and surprise. He was only shocked but, not scared.

Annatoria tensed, instinctively stepping closer to him. "We're not alone," she whispered…..All that ran through her head, was the fear of the terror who she knew was allegedly after her. Manga! Manga!

Asher moved forward cautiously, scanning the shadows. "Show yourself," he called out, his voice firm.

A hesitant voice answered, "It's me,"

Annatoria's jaw tightened as the person revealed himself.

"Holy Calvary!" She quietly exclaimed as she watched him walk out of his hiding place.

---

The Ember Wolves' Packhouse

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains as Candace entered Radolf's chambers, balancing a tray. She didn't just bring him tea; it was always more than that. She brought him tea truly, but that was a blatant lie. A lie no one in the pack would agree to be fed.

Even the youngest in the pack could have probably heard of her doings whenever she claimed to serve the Alpha his tea.

Radolf was sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression unreadable. The robe he wore hung loosely, revealing the hardened muscles of his chest. Candace bit her lip, allowing her fingers to trail deliberately over her neckline.

"Strip," he ordered, his tone devoid of warmth as soon as his eyes caught her staring at his boner….she purposely chose to serve him tea every morning,just to meet up with his erection..

"Master?" she replied innocently, though her intentions were far from pure.

Radolf's patience snapped. "You heard me." In one motion, he tore her dress, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.

Her gasp broke the silence, but it wasn't fear she felt—it was desperation. She wanted him to touch her as he had in the past, with care and passion. Instead, his touch was cold, rough, and impersonal, more like a transaction than intimacy.

"Turn around," he barked.

Candace obeyed, bending as instructed, though her mind was far from present. Her wolf, once a reflection of her purity, now mirrored the corrupted desires she harbored.

He thrusted into her from the back, it was painful but since she'd learnt to bear the pain, she soon forgot the pain.

His thrusts were fierce as their bodies crashed and slammed against each other.

When it was over, Radolf pulled away and spoke without looking at her. "Get out." He ordered, as he threw his face away from her.

Her heart sank, but she refused to show weakness. She grabbed the bed sheet and covered herself, her anger simmering beneath her humiliation. As she breathed, hot air escaped her nostrils….. She was fuming.

In her mind, one name repeated over and over: Loreen. She blamed Loreen for the distance between her and Radolf, for the way his eyes had lost their warmth when he looked at her.

But deep down, Candace knew her wolf had turned as dark as her heart, and there was no path back to innocence.