32. Tayla

Chapter thirty-two

Tayla

I stood by the window, lost in thought, watching townspeople walk down the road. I recalled that the Lycans had been killing members of this pack rapidly after dark. Nighttime was no longer safe for a young woman like me to venture alone. The only escape and protection was marriage, but that was the last thing on my mind after what happened between me and Asher. Who would even want to marry a person like me bearing the mark of another powerful wolf?

Ever since my father’s death a few weeks back, I had remained indoors, feeling vulnerable and grieving. Without him, I had no one else to protect me. I had lost interest in everything. I no longer hung out with my friends. I preferred to be alone.

The pendant necklace Nora had given me was gone. It was the only thing I could use to reach Nora. Ever since I left Celoria's pack, I hadn't heard from her. How was she coping there? Did she get to reunite with her mother?

The sound of my door knocking broke me out of reverie, and I hurried out of my room to check who was out there. I was met with the stern gazes of the men my father owed debts to before he died. He had run up another round of debts while I was away.

I swallowed hard, taking a step backward.

“It's been weeks now, and we haven't received the money from you,” one of the men growled. His teeth and demeanor were dirty.

“I don't have the money right now,” I replied

“It seems that you have forgotten what we are capable of…” The second man narrowed his eyes at me. “We are the Elders of this pack and just a flick of our fingers and this cottage would be put down to ashes.”

“You should know I am still mourning the death of my—”

“Don't speak to me about him!” The first man yelled, his face red with anger. “Your father was a thief, and who knows if he faked his death just to escape us.”

“Ha! Don't say that, ever,” I said, trying to push the painful memories of his death.

“You need to pay us right now, or we will make sure you don't leave this house,” the third man said—a grubby fellow.

“I don't have any money to pay you. Why not give me some more time?” I asked. Probably, I would have to be a ballerina again and see if I could make more money to pay them back.

The first man sneered, his crooked teeth making him look more frightening. “You know what to do.”

“What do you mean?” I looked at the men with confusion.

The first man stepped forward, his dark eyes coming into view as he stared at me.

“You would have to marry me as a second wife,” he responded. “Then I would clear all the debts you owe.”

I frowned deeply, glaring at the man who looked older than my late father. The thought of seeing his hands on my body made my skin crawl in disgust.

“I could never marry a man like you,” I spat.

Before I knew it, he closed the distance between us and wrapped his hands around my neck.

“I could kill you right now, and no one would be able to question your death,” he hissed.

“Please–” I struggled to breathe, attempting to yank his hands off my neck, but the man, an Elder wolf, was more powerful than me. His hold on me tightened, and I could feel my veins popping out as I gasped for air.

I would die soon if I couldn’t get him off of me.

The door burst completely open, and Nora walked in. Relief washed through my eyes at the sight of her.

My savior!

She raised her hand at the Elder, and he slowly levitated from the ground. She smashed his head against the wall in a loud cracking sound.

The other two men lunged themselves to attack her. One of the men fell on to his knees, blood gushing from his eyes and nostrils. The other man, seeing this, tried to run away, but she grabbed his neck and twisted him at an unnatural angle.

I fell to the floor, gasping for air as I rubbed my sore neck.

“Nora!” I exclaimed, trying to get up and rush to her to hug her tight. Sitting down next to each other on the couch, I turned to her.

“How have you been coping in the castle? How is life there? Are you okay?” I questioned. I knew that Asher would be selfish enough to make everyone suffer for the decision I took. I knew that he would pour his anger onto everyone in the pack.

Nora's expression softened. “Life has been great for me so far. Alpha Asher promoted me to the top maid in the castle.”

I sighed in relief, surprised that he didn't take his anger out on Nora who I loved the most amongst all the maids. “I'm happy he didn't realize you helped me escape. OH, I had a run-in with your mother, Mallory, during my escape from Celoria pack. She’s been looking for you.”

“She came to me in the castle, and we have been happily reunited. She wanted me to go with her to join the coven, but I enjoy life in the castle now. Alpha Asher has made things easier for us.”

I was taken aback that she didn't plan to escape with her mother but chose to stay in the castle.

And she just said Asher has been making life easier for them in the pack. Has he really changed or is this just another one of his games?

I looked at Nora, my expression turning serious. “Did Asher send you here to lure me back to the Celoria pack?”

“No,” she shook her head. “He doesn't know about my visit here.”

“Since you left, I have noticed changes because of Asher. Asher doesn't get mad easily, and he has been making a real effort on the pack.”

I raised a brow. “What kind of changes and effort is he putting into the people?”

“Well, for starters, he has put more protection on the pack to make sure nothing happens to the people. There is enough food for everyone, and we haven't heard about a single death in the pack,” she explained. “He even takes care of the children at the orphanage home.”

I looked at her, a bit taken aback by her words. “That's unexpected for Asher… Taking care of children and putting real effort into the pack. Is this real?”

Nora nodded. “He’s made an effort to listen to the concerns of the people. He's making sure no home lacks food, and he has gone to visit the families who lost their children during the tragedy.”

I became silent…deep in thought. I didn't expect Asher to turn over a new leaf when I left. I didn't expect any of this from him. When I first saw Nora walk through the door, I thought she had escaped from the pack because Asher was tormenting them.

But this was the polar opposite of everything. My mind drifted back to the days when I would confront him about dealing with pack issues, and he would say no . He would refuse to take responsibility as the Alpha and help the people. Most days, we would argue.

“Ms. Tayla,” Nora said, and I turned to her.

“Why don't you return to Celoria with me?” she questioned. “I know Alpha Asher has been making significant changes in the pack, but he doesn't take care of himself. He seems lost without you. Remember the makeover? Well, he has gone back to his old appearance and looks quite a mess. And he has nightmares…”

“Nora—”

“Alpha Asher needs you. He misses you. His life has not been the same since you left. He's been overworking himself. He often returns to the castle late at night and is already drunk just to get through the night. sober he calls your name in his sleep. He misses you,” Nora explains.

I felt at a loss for words. I tore my gaze from Nora and stared into empty space.

“Alpha Asher—”

“Nora, as much as I am happy for everyone in the pack, I don't want to return to Celoria,” I said firmly.

“But—”

Before she could finish her sentence, I stood up from the chair and walked upstairs.

Later that evening as we sat by the fire, my mind couldn't stop reeling about the words Nora said to me earlier. I imagined life in the castle now. It must have been hard for him. Asher had already turned a new leaf. Maybe I should give him another chance.

But then I couldn't turn away from what happened to my father and how Asher had made love to me that night. But if I continued to think about it, I began to realize I was wrong for blaming him. I was the one who planned on helping the people before leaving Celoria pack. And I was also the one who allowed myself to fall back into his bed. I had wanted his touch. Yearned for it…

A small tear escaped from my eyes, and I brought my hand up to wipe it away.

“Ms. Tayla, are you crying?” Nora asked.

“No, I'm not,” I shook my head, trying to compose myself.

But it felt as if she could see through me and read my mind. “You have been struggling, haven't you? I heard about the death of your father.”

“You see, life has not been the same for me since my father died. Nothing interests me anymore. I feel angry and sad all the time. I am always home alone with no one to talk to. I hate life here since my father’s death,” I confessed. “I don't feel happy anymore, and…I think I want to go back to what feels like home.”

“Home?” she asked with widened eyes. “You mean Celoria?”

I nodded, tears rolling down my cheeks profusely now. “Yes, I want to go back to Celoria and start life afresh. I’m looking forward to building a family with him.”

Nora wrapped her arms around me. I buried my head into her chest as I let everything out. All the pain and anger I had been feeling, I let it out.

For once, after weeks of sleepless nights, I slept peacefully with Nora next to me. After preparing my bags the next morning, I walked downstairs to meet my friends there.

Anastasia approached me with a warm smile before hugging me. “We are really going to miss you,”

“You guys don't need to worry,” I assured. “l will visit often and invite you to my new pack.”

After saying goodbyes and hugging warming, I left with Nora to Celoria, ready to start fresh.