Chapter 9
Ashira's POV
I run fast and free. At this moment, nothing bothers my mind as if every hard thought I have now faded. My wolf is enjoying herself, telling herself that she belonged here. That this is where she should be.
I reached the clearing to be amazed by how beautiful the scenery is. Clear blue waters gushing freely in the river, green grass, and tall trees surround. I love it!
The river is calling to me, for me to jump and take a swim. I did.
I jumped in the air, ready to fall in the cold water. Just when I was about to land in the water, I shifted back into my human form, making a perfect dismount.
The cold water made my naked skin shiver, almost painful but also relaxing. I swam until I'm out of breathing.
I inhaled deeply, letting the air flow back to my lungs, filling it.
Suddenly, I snapped my neck to my right. I can smell a wolf. Someone's here!
I hid down the water, crossing my arms on my chest. Feeling visible under the clear water.
Bones snapping and clothes stretching is what I heard next. The wolf just shifted in his human form.
A guy around my age showed himself coming behind a tree. He's wearing a short but left his chest bare. He has blonde-brown messy hair, tall and lean.
"Why are you here?" His voice sounds irritated. With knotted forehead, he eyed me boldly making me wrapped my chest more.
He took a step forward but not too close. My breath is hitching from the cold.
"I..."
"Are you one of the guests?" He cut my words, focusing his eyes on mine.
I nodded. Unable to speak from shivering. Damn, I need to get out of the water now or I'll die from freezing!
"Walk out of the water. And wear this." He threw a black shirt on the ground and turned his back on me, giving me privacy.
I hesitated at first but when another cold wind passes me, I pulled myself out of the water.
My moves are quick, needing to get out of the cold. I grabbed his offered shirt and wear it, the hem reaching mid-thigh. The fabric is not helping the freezing feeling tormenting my skin.
The guy looked my way again once I'm dressed. My arms are still wrapped in front of my chest, trying to have a self-warmth that eventually failed. I'm freezing!
"I'm Nick, the Beta of the Prime. This part of the land is off-limits!" His voice raises a bit and hasn't changed, still irritated and a bit tired at that.
So he's the Beta. I only know pack information and the names of those in higher rank positions but not how they look. This Nick is good-looking. Cruz would be a Beta like him in a few weeks. How I missed that guy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I promise I won't come here again." I said, trying to control my shaking voice. I'm not scared, just freaking freezing!
Nick sighed, dropping his eyes on the ground before shutting it tightly.
"I'm sorry I raised my voice. I'm just too tired handling everything while our Alpha is out there nowhere."
I was shocked by his change of mood. He just started whining to a stranger, he might not be too strict as he looked.
I saw how Nick's eyes widened, probably realized what he had just said.
"Damn it!" He cursed under his breath. "Pretend you didn't hear that." He ordered but his expression is almost child-like. He looked cute in a way.
"I didn't hear every word you said," I said, grinning ears to ears now. I'm still freezing but I'm starting to enjoy talking with Nick.
He sighed in relief and smiled at me.
"Let me walk you back to the guesthouse." He said, starting to be friendly.
We walked forward to the forest. I'd like to shift back in my wolf form since I'm still freezing but since Nick offered me a company back to the guesthouse, I thought I shouldn't.
"So where is your Alpha?" I decided to ask. I've been curious about it when he mentioned that earlier. Alpha's must be present at the ball tonight. It's a pack tradition and it's the Alpha's job to witness every new She-Wolves his pack will have. Also, if the Alpha is mateless yet, he must be there.
"You said you'll pretend you didn't hear it." Nick's eyes are looking at me, widened in disbelief. I chuckled. His face is so funny right now.
"Sorry. I was just curious. It's the mapping party later and Alpha's should be there."
He sighed agreeing to my words. "I don't know where he is. I've been looking for him but I can't find him anywhere. Every work was left behind and I finished all of them on his behalf. That doesn't make me happy." His whines are so childish. If I'm not in the mood for humorous talk right now, I might have said it's his job as a Beta. But I just laughed at him.
"That river is my last resort. If he was not there then I don't know where he is. That's his spot. That's why it is off-limits. If he's the one who found you, you could be dead right now."
"Well, I guess I'm lucky it is you who found me."
"You bet." He said grinning at me.
I laughed again. He's so full of himself but whines because of overworks. I'd like to say it to his face but didn't.
He paused walking and stare at nowhere. I was confused before I realized he must be talking with someone through his mind.
He closed his eyes and sighed a heavy breath before looking down at me. "I need to make a detour. You can go back by yourself?"
I nodded my answer and said my thanks. He nodded at me, his face looking serious again before turning his back at me. Running with his inhuman speed.
As for me, I decided to shift on my wolf saying sorry to Nick's-now ripped shirt and run back to where I left my clothes.