Ashley's Claimed Heart

Cole wrapped his arms around me, offering me comfort while they buried my dead mate Alec into the ground. Comfort I did not ask for, did not want, and did not need. The look of his still body, unusually pale skin and his mouth stitched shut into a thin line, gave me a feeling of relief. Deep down, I was happy he was dead, although none would know.

"Ashley, we have to go", murmured Cole. He led me away from the pile of dirt that covered his body.

"I want to go home."

He nods in understanding, no words coming from his lips. It was as if him saying anything would break my already barely beating heart.

We boarded the plane to head back home. Wisconsin, where our pack is. I was eager to finally get away from this godforsaken place that I was forced to be, ready to be placed back near my friends and family. I may not have had any high ranking role in my pack, but that was fine. I was done being important, done fighting wars that should have never existed. I was tired, and I just wanted to be me.

The flight home was long and draining. But finally, after eight-teen grueling hours, I was home. As soon as we entered the pack lands, I breathed in the crisp clean air and became at peace with nature. It was not until I heard the howling of my pack mates did anger instantly fill my entire being. That bastard of a mate of mine, when he claimed me, he took everything from me. Tied my soul to his without my permission and then dared to kill himself and half of me too. Just to spite me. The Selfish prick.

With one more deep breath, I hold my head up high and confidently walk past the guards, into my birth pack. I look everyone in the eye as I pass them. Some look surprised, some relieved, many looked happy and some with disinterest.

I steadily walk to the house my parents left me in their death. It needed a good cleaning, but nothing unmanageable. I could still smell their scent covering the place, embedded into the grains of the walls. It was comforting and gave me a sense of normalcy. Something I have not had for quite some time. I know I need to meet with the Alpha. I dreaded that fact but was curious at the same time. Brandon had taken the Alpha position shortly after I had been forced to leave. I always wondered how he ended up, considering he was a crush of mine at the time.

I know it is silly, but I took the time to freshen up. I knew I wanted to make a good impression on Alpha Brandon. I just wanted to have those giddy feelings of butterflies in my stomach. I brushed out my hair, put on some lipgloss, and added some color to my pale cheeks.

"Good enough."

I head out the door and slowly make my way to his office inside the packhouse. I waited for the usual anticipation that would usually make my heart flutter when thinking of talking to him. It pissed me off when those feelings wouldn't come.

"Damn you, Alec." I cursed.

I seethed in the inside, not wanting to believe he took half my soul with him in his death. My ability to feel a connection to anybody but him scares me. I pick up the pace, suddenly wanting this meeting to be over with.

As I draw closer to his office, I pick up his normal woodsy scent. Along with his, there is another that invades my nose. It is sweet and floral with a hint of chocolate. It makes my mouth water and my heart beat rapidly.

I knock on the door, tapping my foot impatiently waiting for his okay to come in.

My eye immediately locks onto bright forest green ones. Everything stills and my world finally becomes calm, until it's suddenly thrown back into chaos and my soul becomes ripped apart for a second time.

My mate shake's their head at me, remorse and guilt shining through their glistening eyes. My true mate would not accept me or rather I would not them. I promptly take a seat into the chair of the Alpha's office and ignore my mate's presence.

I won't let them bother me. Not while they are muttering those horrid "No's" over and over again.