Damon
A surge of emotions washed over me. Relief, hope, and a profound longing collided within me. The weight of uncertainty that had been pressing down on my shoulders seemed to lift, if only for a moment, and I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of happiness.
Serena was out there, and Ashford had managed to locate her. I couldn’t believe my Beta succeeded in finding her when we had no single lead to her whereabouts. It spoke volumes about the capabilities of my future Beta. Ashford's determination and resourcefulness had given me a newfound sense of hope and admiration.
The prospect of seeing her again filled me with elation. Every fiber of my being yearned for that reunion, and the hope that Ashford's news had ignited seemed to kindle a warm glow within my heart.
I couldn't contain the urgency that was coursing through my veins as I demanded of Ashford, "Bring me to Serena, now."
But my best friend, always the more level-headed of us two, declined. "I’m sorry, but I can’t. At least, for just tonight."
He could see I wasn't in the right state of mind after what had happened, and he knew I needed a moment to collect myself.
"Come on, Ash," I pleaded, my desperation apparent in my voice. "I can't wait any longer. I need to see her. I need to make sure she's safe."
Ashford placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I understand, Damon, but you're too distraught right now. Emotions are running high, and you might not make the best decisions in this state. Trust me, I'll take you to her first thing tomorrow, and you can see for yourself that she's alright."
I tried to deny it, but Ashford saw right through me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Damon," he said with a knowing look, "I can tell when you're lying."
I took a deep breath, realizing he was right, and surrendered. "Alright, fine."
Ashford's grin widened, and he clapped a hand on my back. "That's the spirit. Trust me, this is for the best. We'll see her tomorrow, and everything will be okay."
I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what lay ahead. Ashford had requested a private meeting to catch up on the events that had transpired since we last saw each other. With a heavy heart, I motioned for Ashford to follow me to our hidden sanctuary nestled in the heart of the common folks' territory.
As we settled into our secluded hideout, we began sharing our respective experiences, catching up on everything that had occurred during our separation. My curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn't help but ask Ashford about his journey to find Serena.
I leaned in, my eyes locked on his, and I asked, "How did you manage to locate Serena? I've been worried sick about you, especially after hearing what happened to the Goldenridge pack.”
Ashford sighed, his gaze distant as he began to recount his experiences. "It wasn't easy, my friend," he started. Through his eyes, I’ve seen the horrors he experienced when Goldenridge was attacked and I would no longer ask specifics about it.
"I barely made it out of Goldenridge alive thanks to Alpha Craig’s sacrifice. But the rogues followed ahead, leaving me at the brink of death. I was fortunate to cross paths with Alexei’s group who saved me from my hunters. They took me in, cared for me as I recovered from my injuries."
I could hardly contain my anxiety. "And Serena? Is she alright?"
Ashford's smile grew more pronounced. "Yes, Damon," he replied, a glint of relief in his eyes. "Serena is safe. I found her settling with Alexei’s group who cared for her as well. She's been well taken care of, stronger than ever since her family’s deception."
A wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thank the heavens," I muttered, grateful beyond words. "You have no idea how worried I've been."
Ashford placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Serena's in good hands, and we'll make sure she stays safe. A little more patience and you’ll be reunited with her.”
I plastered an excited grin, looking forward to my reunion with her. Then, it was Ashford’s turn to ask. “How about you? What’s with the announcement earlier?”
As I sat down, a deep frown etched on my face. I couldn't hide the disgust that registered in my expression. I reached for the glass of scotch in front of me and took a long, bitter sip. The burn of the alcohol mirrored the bitterness in my voice.
“My father... He intends to sire another heir, and he's set his sights on Tori thanks to her cunning mother. The Alpha seemed to have a deep infatuation, or should I say lust, to the fake Serena. This came to me as a surprise as well. Like the rest of us, I only knew about it earlier.”
We both sighed heavily, the weight of the situation sinking in. "I can't believe the Alpha’s doing this,” Ashford commented, taking a sip of the alcohol in his own glass. A short silence hovered above us, contemplating to the poor choice of the Alpha we so revered all our lives/
“We need to stop Mathilde and her daughter. I have this gut feeling that this isn't the end of their schemes. They were playing a dangerous game, and we're all just pieces on her board. We can’t let them win.”
Ashford nodded, his expression mirroring my concern. "I agree. We can't let her continue to manipulate the Alpha. We need to find a way to stop her. Soon."
As our meeting drew to a close, Ashford exclaimed, "We have to be cautious, Damon, especially Tori and Mathilde. We don't want them to get ahead of us now that we found the real Serena. Serena's safety is our top priority. I will meet you again tomorrow. Until then, stay on high alert.”
I nodded in agreement. "Tomorrow night it is."
I was about to hug him when he took a step back. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, “No hugging. You know I'm allergic to your touch."
I couldn't help but laugh at his humor, appreciating the small moment of levity in the midst of our serious endeavors. Upon his request, I settled on tapping his shoulder and decided to part ways.
That night, I couldn't stop thinking about Serena. Inside my head, Romulus's voice emerged, a reminder of the promises I needed to keep.
"Don't forget to ask Serena about Remus."
I nodded, silently acknowledging the urgency of his words. "I will, Romulus. I won't forget."
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a knock on the door interrupted my contemplation. I called for the person to enter, and a messenger stepped in.
He curtsied before telling me the news he was bearing. "There's an emergency council meeting the Alpha called for tomorrow morning. He said attendance to all council members is a must.
I furrowed my brow, wondering what this sudden development could be about. "Thank you for the information. I'll be there," I responded with a sense of gravity.
This revelation added another layer of uncertainty to the chaos we already faced. Nonetheless, I chose to conclude the evening and eagerly anticipated the eventful day ahead.