Choosing Mr. Destiny - Chapter 44: Chapter 44
You are reading Choosing Mr. Destiny , Chapter 44: Chapter 44. Read more chapters of Choosing Mr. Destiny .
Connor's POV
"Where the f*ck are we going, Winter?" I asked the guy agitatedly as we walked through halls after halls while taking down every hunter or rogue that comes our way.
He turned to me with a glare. "Will you be quiet! I'm trying to concentrate here." He whisper-yelled at me.
"We've been walking around this god-forsaken building for almost ten minutes with still not a single trace of Ash. Are you sure you know where you're going?" I asked irritatedly once again.
Winter turned to face me. "Well forgive me for not remembering every single hallway and corridor, Connor. It's not like I wasn't locked up when I was here." He snapped at me with his voiced coated with pure sass.
Before he could turn back to start walking, Trevor shot down another hunter holding a crossbow.
"Just let him do his thing, Connor." Trevor intervened, sending me a hard gaze.
Winter then started walking once again. And like usual, Trevor, two other warrior wolves, and I followed behind him. Once we came across another set of stairs, Winter turned to look at us.
"I think this is the right one heading to that room Ash and I used to be locked up in." He said.
I quirked an eyebrow. "You think?"
He just rolled his eyes and began ascending the stairs with Trevor next to him. Once we made it on top and into another hallway, Trevor and I made sure it was clear.
After shooting two hunters, we continued on with the mission. The silencer we equipped our guns doing its purpose. We can't afford to have more of these little f*ckers know we're here.
"Just at the end of this hallway," Winter said lowly as Trevor walked ahead of us with him following behind.
Stopping in front of a door, I looked at Winter with a questioning gaze.
"Is this it?" I asked in which he nodded.
"Yeah." He breathed out as he stared at the door, as if remembering his past experience. "This is it."
I turned to Trevor and the other warrior wolves and nodded. With that, I pulled Winter back as I went to kick the hinges as hard as I can, causing the door to fly open along with some tiny fragments of it.
Once we were inside, we were greeted with an empty room, making me frown. Winter then appeared next to me with the same frown I was wearing.
"He's not here." He said devastatingly as he stated the obvious.
"You're hundred percent sure this is the right room?" I asked once again, in which he nodded in confirmation.
"Yes. That was the bed Ash used to occupy. And that one near the window is mine." He said pointing at each bed. "Even the chains are still there." He added as he stared at a chain laying on the floor.
"Then where is he?" I questioned while looking around the room.
"Arnold, check the bathroom," Trevor ordered a warrior who quickly complied.
He then turned to Winter.
"Where do you think Azrael kept him other than this room?" He asked.
Winter looked up at him with his face full of hopelessness and fear. "I... I d-don't know." He stuttered out.
Arnold, Trevor's fellow warrior wolf stepped out of the bathroom. "It's empty." He said.
I fought hard not to let out a growl from frustration. I know it won't do anyone any good if I show them any sign of what I was feeling, especially to Winter. I may not know the guy that much, but one thing I'm pretty sure of is that he and Ash has grown a close bond together while they were kept imprisoned here. He may not say anything about it, but I know he's scared and is worried sick for his friend. His eyes gave it all away.
"What do you want us to do now?" Trevor asked the now panic-stricken Winter.
He turned to meet Trevor's gaze before he lowered his eyes to the ground. Not answering the question directed towards him.
"Winter. We have to move soon. We're running out of time." I spoke, in hopes of snapping him out of his trance.
He didn't utter anything again. I turned to look at Trevor who only shook his head, also not knowing what to do nor what was happening.
"Winter?" I called as I stepped closer to him.
"Just... Just give me a second. I'm trying to think." He spoke with a small frown on his face.
I placed a comforting hand on his slightly shaking shoulder. My palms immediately felt how tense and stressed out he was.
"Guys we have to move soon before the cameras come back on again. " Trevor said as he stood close to the door, looking around for any threat.
And just like that, I felt like I saw a light bulb turn on at the top of Winter's head.
"That's it." He said before scrambling his hand inside his little backpack.
"What?" I asked, looking at him a bit confused.
He turned to all of us. "I'm gonna need all of you guys to stay out of the camera's view. I'm gonna put it back on live." He said, causing a frown to appear on my face.
"What? Why would you do that?" I questioned him incredulously.
"Just trust me on this one. I have an idea." Was what he said.
I stared into his eyes to look for any lies, but found none. I sighed, giving his shoulder a little squeeze before I nodded.
Then I turned to the guys and began giving them instructions. And once everyone was finally out of the camera's line of sight, I turned to Winter once again and gave him the confirmation to proceed with turning the damn devices back on.
After the CCTVs are back on live, Winter then started scanning the mansion with it using his phone.
"Mind telling us what is it you're looking for?" I asked him as he busily stared at his mobile.
He casually glance at me before going back to his phone screen. "I was thinking if Ash is locked up somewhere else inside the mansion, I'm guessing that specific room is well guarded." He said, making me hum understandingly.
"So you're saying you're looking for a room guarded by hunters?" I asked for clarification.
Winter only nodded. "Speaking of." He said as he showed me his screen. There on the display is a door being guarded by Hunters. And what caught my attention is an individual that was banging on the door as he tries to get it open. He was turning the knob a bit forcefully.
I turned to Winter. "You think that's the right room?"
He bit his bottom lip. "I just had this feeling he's in there."
I turned back to the phone screen and examined it. "Where is this at?"
"Just a floor above us." He answered.
"Then let's go," I told him. "Disable the cameras again so we can go. We're wasting precious time here."
Winter nodded at me with a small smile before he turned to his mobile phone's screen. He stared at it for a second with wide shocked eyes.
I frowned upon seeing his reaction. I stepped closer towards him to ask if everything's okay.
"What's going on?" I asked as I stood in front of him.
Winter once again turned the display screen of his mobile towards me. And after seeing what got him wide-eyed, I couldn't help the frown to form on my face.
"What the hell is happening?" Trevor asked this time.
Winter turned to the guy. "The door I just mentioned is now broken open." He said, making the buff guy look at him in confusion before he showed him what he meant through his phone screen. "And the hunters that stood guard outside are dead. All four of them."
Those hunters weren't given mercy with how brutally and inhumane they were killed. It was like whoever did it was simply out for blood and nothing else. Body parts were scattered everywhere, just like how the blood has stained every nook and cranny of that area. If a faint-hearted person were to look at it, I'm sure they'd puke their stomach out with how gross it was. Whoever did it was a pure cold-blooded killer.
"Who the f*ck did that?" Trevor asked as he kept his gaze on the screen.
"I don't know," Winter responded back.
"Let's not think about that for now," I said. "What we have to worry about is Ash. Every second that passes means a second he's in more danger. Now let's move." I urged before I turned to Winter who only nodded, already understanding what I was about to ask him.
"Cameras going offline in three...two... one..." He counted down before giving us the go signal.
And with that, we're out of the room.
"Just follow this hallway, then up a set of stairs before we enter another hallway where the room is at," Winter said and we finally moved.
After taking down a couple more hunters and rogues, we made it at the bottom of the stairs. But before we could begin our ascend, Winter stopped us.
"Wait." He yelled, effectively halting us.
"What?" I asked as I turned to him questioningly.
He motioned his head towards the top of the stairs, which I turned to see what he was trying to mean. And there I saw the most beautiful wolf whose fur was covered in blood. But what caught my attention is the black spot shaped like a crescent moon on its right shoulder. It looked like it was glowing. And just by the way it stood at the top of the stairs basically screamed power. It was making my wolf submit to it, which was weird. I have Beta blood so I only submit to my Alpha and no one else. But this... This was a first.
"I'm guessing that's the wolf responsible for killing those hunters like a damn serial killer?" Trevor spoke.
"Well, by the looks of how it bathed in blood, I'm gonna say yes," Winter said as he gulped nervously.
"Connor, do you know this one?" Trevor asked, making me turn my gaze away from the marvelous wolf and towards the buff, tall guy.
"No, not really. But for some reason, my wolf is submitting to it." I admitted loud for all of them to hear.
"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one," Winter spoke up, causing me to look at him.
"That's just weird because I feel the same way too," Trevor admitted as well.
Then we all turned to the wolf who didn't budge on top of the stairs. It just remained standing there watching us silently, as if studying us with its piercing bright ocean blue eyes.
"Hi, Connor." A voice suddenly echoed inside my mind. It was using Ash and I's link.
I frowned. The voice was someone I don't know of, yet somehow, I feel like I know who it clearly belongs to. It was confusing and it doesn't make any sense.
"I'm Ariah, Ashley's wolf." The voice finally introduced and I could feel my brain exploding.
What in the actual flying f*ck is going on?
Ashley's POV
>I think you creeped him out.< I told Ariah as I looked at Connor's pale face. He looked like he's at the brink of passing out. If this was from a different circumstance, I would have laughed my butt off. He simply looked like he's seen a ghost. Or worse, he looked like he's watching his Mother advancing angrily towards him with a slipper, ready to smack him any minute.
>How? I didn't even do anything to scare him off.< He questioned innocently.
>Well, uhm, you see, you talked to him using our mind link. And since he doesn't know you, that kinda, you know...< I trailed off as I tried to explain it to my wolf.
>Oh.< Was all he said before giving me a mental look telling me he's sorry.
>Let's go to him so we'll get to clear things out, okay.< I told him. >But before we do that, I have a question.< I added in.
>What?< Ariah inquired.
>Why are they looking at us like that?< I finally asked after noticing their weird looks directed at us.
But I'm not saying it's the bad kind of weird, it just feels... well, weird. They look at us like we're going to beat the living daylights out of them till they end up dead. I mean, my wolf doesn't even look intimidating at all. If anything, I would say Ariah looked really adorable, especially with our snow-white fur, which is, by the way, is currently covered in blood, and some itty, bitty flesh of someone I don't even wanna who belongs to. But nonetheless, we still looked more like a husky than an actual wolf.
>Hey.< Ariah whined with a mental pout. >I just ended those hunters' lives on a bad note and here you are telling me I looked more like a husky than a wolf? Huskies aren't even related to wild wolves.< He reasoned out smartly and exasperatedly.
I almost rolled my eyes at him.
>Alright drama Queen, you don't look like a husky.< I resigned with a bored tone. >But seriously, why are they looking at us like that?<
>I don't know. Just amazed, maybe?< He replied with a mental shrug of his shoulder.
>Ariah, we're covered in blood.< I deadpanned at him.
>Oh.<
Sometimes, he can be of no help. But then again, I barely knew my wolf, and he basically 'just woke up' so I guess that's an invalid reason.
And with that, we walked down the steps to meet with Connor, Winter and some guys I don't know. But they looked intimidating with their big stature, so I'm guessing they're warriors or something like that.
>They're indeed warrior wolves.< Ariah confirmed.
>Ha. Figured.<
After we made it at the bottom of the stairs, I stood face to face with my ex-boyfriend and my friend who was still looking at me weird.
>I think it would be best if we shift to human form.< Ariah suggested, making me mentally give him a look telling him how.
>Just imagine yourself gaining back full control and the shifting process should start.< He explained.
As I closed my eyes and followed my wolf's instructions, I could slowly feel my body reverting back to our human form. I tried to focus my attention on the feeling while we shift and I found it kind of interesting, so to say. I mean, other than hearing my bones rearrange and my flesh adjusting, it was still fascinating. It was weird how my senses are more sensitive while in my second form. It was like, I could hear everything even when it's from a mile away.
As I completed the shift, I once again opened my eyes, meeting those who are already staring at me before I shifted.
I turned to look at Winter but saw him with a bright red cheeks. Connor, on the other hand, cleared his throat while pulling himself to look away other than towards me. He was also mildly blushing. I went to turn my gaze at the warriors standing behind them and saw they were also looking away, which instantly made me frown.
Now what's gotten into them? I thought.
>Well, uhm, I'm guessing we're naked.< Ariah pointed out shyly from the back of my head.
And I could swear to whoever Gods there is, I instantly turned crimson as I looked down at myself to see if I was indeed, lacking of any clothing.
And as embarrassing as it may sound, yes, I was as naked as the day I came out of my Mom's canal.
On impulse, I quickly covered myself as much as I can. And considering I have small hands, it really didn't do much except cover the MORE important ones.
>Why didn't you tell me we'd end up naked after we shift?< I pretty much yelled at my wolf from total embarrassment.
I could feel him shrink further away towards the deepest parts of my mind, also now feeling embarrassed himself.
>Well, I thought it didn't really matter since they could see our penis dangling out while in wolf form already.< He reasoned out, making me groan mentally.
>Ariah, that's a totally different case. They don't mind seeing animal genitals.< I spoke.
>Oh. My bad, then.< He apologized coupled with a sneaky smile.
All I could do was sigh.
I was snapped out of my embarrassment as I felt someone cover me with someone's clothing. I blinked before I turned to see who it was and I saw Connor, still sporting a light pink tinted cheeks.
"You're lucky Winter brought some clothes with him." He spoke gently.
I turned to Winter and mouthed a 'thank you'.
"I've been dying to ask," Connor spoke up once again, effectively gaining my attention. "How do you have a wolf?" He finally dropped the question he said he was dying to be asked.
I gave him a small shrug. "I don't know, really. I actually just found out today." I admitted, causing his brows to rise.
"For real?" He asked disbelievingly.
I only nodded. "Ariah spoke to me out of the blue, and that's when he told me who he was and why he was only just able to resurface."
"So why did it take him so long to show himself?" Winter asked this time, also interested to know.
"He said he was in a long, deep slumber," I answered.
"Why was he asleep for so long?" Connor inquired curiously.
"I don't know. Nor does he." I stated.
Connor was about to ask another question when the guy covered in muscle, intervened.
"Guys, let's save the chat after we're out of here. For now, let's prioritize those." He said, motioning his head at the top of the stairs where Hunters and Rogues stood.
Connor placed a hand on the small of my back.
"Shift back to your second form. I'm assuming your wolf is more capable of fighting than you, so you should give him control." He said as he stared at the enemies standing at the top of the stairs.
"Okay." Was all I said before a rogue growled viciously at us.
"I suggest you surrender him to us before anyone gets hurt." A hunter spoke as he pointed his crossbow with poison lacing its arrows.
"And what made you think we'll do that, human?" Connor said with an intense glare.
The hunter shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. Maybe you're scared to die, little doggie." He mocked, causing a growl to erupt from Connor's chest. It was intimidatingly loud which could send rogues scampering away with their tails between their legs. He's a Beta after all. And even without him possessing such title anymore, it's still without a doubt that he's more powerful than anyone else, just below the Alpha.
If I was still the same old Ash, I would've been hiding away by now. But for some reason, I didn't feel any intense fear. Maybe it's due to the fact that I have a wolf.
"Now hand him over." The hunter once again spoke. I'm guessing he's like a leader above all these filthy rogues.
"I'm not a rag doll, you ugly old fart," I spoke this time. Sending the guy a glare as intense as my tiny self could muster.
"Oh, you aren't?" He mocked. "Why didn't I hear you say that when Jacob f*cked you till you passed out?" He said with a menacing laugh.
Without even knowing, an intense growl erupted from my very own chest. Catching the hunters and rogues off guard.
Immediately, I could sense their intimidation as they stood there from foot to foot. Even Connor, Winter, and the rest of the warrior wolves went tense after hearing it out of me.
Even I didn't expect it.
>The heck was that?< I asked Ariah.
>No one talks to us like that and live to see another day, Ash.< He said, in an oddly calm way, which only scared me more.
I didn't say anything back since clearly, my wolf's no longer in a good mood. AGAIN. I just hope he doesn't go on another killing rampage like what he did earlier. It was something I didn't want to witness. It was very brutal as well as the goriest thing my eyes have ever seen. I couldn't believe he would lash out like that. He just lost it when someone made a move of attacking us. He completely took control and fought like a true warrior even when he's been asleep for a very long time.
"You have no right to speak to us like that." It was Ariah who spoke this time. His voice is just a tad bit deeper than mine. Obviously, he's in complete control again.
I could feel his emotions with anger being the most dominant of them all.
Without wasting another second, Ariah shifted to our wolf form. He stared the hunters and rogues down intensely as if already ending their lives in his mind, which only worsen my growing fear.
>Ariah, please. Don't lash out like you did earlier. Spare them some mercy.< I told him as his anger grew to almost the extreme. He can obviously feel my own fear which only drove him even angrier.
>Mercy? They attacked us earlier without any hesitation Ash, and they will do it again in a heartbeat. They're ordered to hurt us or even kill us and I can't let that happen. We're carrying our mate's child, Ash. Mercy's no longer an option the moment they almost hurt us. So now I'm not going to hold back. I'll kill every single one who even dares to hurt us again.< He spoke with anger evident in his voice, giving no space for an argument.
Suddenly, a rogue made the first move to attack, causing a growl to erupt from Ariah's mouth. Before the rogue causes any damage, Ariah went for the kill. He swiftly dodges the rogue as it lept off the ground. And before its paws could touch the concrete floor, Ariah went for its throat and ended its life without a second thought.
>I'm sorry if you had to see me like this, Ash. But just know that I'm only doing this for us.< He said before blocking me out and leaving me by myself.
All I could do was watch as he went from rogue to rogue and ripping its throat out of its body like it was an easy feat. He was being bathed from our enemy's blood once again, and obviously, that's the least of his concerns at the moment. He was so out of it that he didn't even care when a hunter managed to injure us using a knife. He just went on like a mad man, taking life after life like he's a God.
I couldn't even talk to Connor through our link because Ariah blocked me out from using it. And I feel like I'm also not allowed to control my own body anymore. Ariah's in complete command, and I'm guessing I won't gain control back until he's no longer consumed with anger.
>Ariah stop!< I yelled as he kept ripping a dead rogues body to pieces just like what he did to those who we encountered earlier. >It's dead, It's dead. It won't hurt us anymore.< I called, but it fell to deaf ears as he continued to ignore me.
>Ariah, please, that's enough.< I yelled once more. >Please listen to me.<
I don't know what's going on with him but right now, he's scaring me.
>Ariah!< I yelled as loud as I could. Once he was satisfied with what he did, he turned his attention to my friends who only stood there looking shocked by what they've witnessed.
He was still very out of it that he pretty much see everyone in close proximity as a threat. And at this moment, he's seen my friends as threats which is not good.
He growled as he stood on an aggressive stance, snarling at them with so much malice.
>Please, Ariah, don't hurt them. They're our friends. They're here to rescue us, not to hurt us. Please, listen to me.< I tried to reason to him once again. But obviously, he still ignored it.
Connor pulled his hands up, showing Ariah they're no harm to us, but that only made Ariah growl even more.
>What's going on with you?! Snap out of it right now.< I scolded as fear once again took over me. And I guess Ariah mistook it as fear from my friends attacking us, which only intensified his already extreme anger.
Ariah snarled at them as he slowly stalked forward.
>Stop! Please, stop.< I pleaded to him.
He ignored me once again. This time he made a move to attack.
>No.< I screamed.
I couldn't take the look I saw from Winter's eyes. The fear swimming in them as he watched my wolf charge towards them. It was also one of the things I didn't want to see. I didn't want my friends to be scared of me.
>Enough! Ariah, that's enough.< I screamed as I pushed for control. But what I didn't expect was for him to actually stop.
He was frozen on his tracks, as he readied himself to attack Connor and the others. After I finally gained back control of myself, I shifted back to human form. Falling to the floor panting, I looked up to see dumbfounded looks on everyone's faces.
The first one to snap out of it was Connor who immediately went to cover me up. Next was Winter who knelt next to me with a worried look on his face.
"What was that about, Ash?" Connor asked as he helped me stand up.
I turned to face him. "I... I lost control of Ariah and he just went rabid."
"How did you gain back control then?" He questioned again.
I shook my head, not really certain how I actually did it.
"But for some reason, I can't feel him," I spoke. "I can't feel my wolf."
What the heck did I do?
"Where the f*ck are we going, Winter?" I asked the guy agitatedly as we walked through halls after halls while taking down every hunter or rogue that comes our way.
He turned to me with a glare. "Will you be quiet! I'm trying to concentrate here." He whisper-yelled at me.
"We've been walking around this god-forsaken building for almost ten minutes with still not a single trace of Ash. Are you sure you know where you're going?" I asked irritatedly once again.
Winter turned to face me. "Well forgive me for not remembering every single hallway and corridor, Connor. It's not like I wasn't locked up when I was here." He snapped at me with his voiced coated with pure sass.
Before he could turn back to start walking, Trevor shot down another hunter holding a crossbow.
"Just let him do his thing, Connor." Trevor intervened, sending me a hard gaze.
Winter then started walking once again. And like usual, Trevor, two other warrior wolves, and I followed behind him. Once we came across another set of stairs, Winter turned to look at us.
"I think this is the right one heading to that room Ash and I used to be locked up in." He said.
I quirked an eyebrow. "You think?"
He just rolled his eyes and began ascending the stairs with Trevor next to him. Once we made it on top and into another hallway, Trevor and I made sure it was clear.
After shooting two hunters, we continued on with the mission. The silencer we equipped our guns doing its purpose. We can't afford to have more of these little f*ckers know we're here.
"Just at the end of this hallway," Winter said lowly as Trevor walked ahead of us with him following behind.
Stopping in front of a door, I looked at Winter with a questioning gaze.
"Is this it?" I asked in which he nodded.
"Yeah." He breathed out as he stared at the door, as if remembering his past experience. "This is it."
I turned to Trevor and the other warrior wolves and nodded. With that, I pulled Winter back as I went to kick the hinges as hard as I can, causing the door to fly open along with some tiny fragments of it.
Once we were inside, we were greeted with an empty room, making me frown. Winter then appeared next to me with the same frown I was wearing.
"He's not here." He said devastatingly as he stated the obvious.
"You're hundred percent sure this is the right room?" I asked once again, in which he nodded in confirmation.
"Yes. That was the bed Ash used to occupy. And that one near the window is mine." He said pointing at each bed. "Even the chains are still there." He added as he stared at a chain laying on the floor.
"Then where is he?" I questioned while looking around the room.
"Arnold, check the bathroom," Trevor ordered a warrior who quickly complied.
He then turned to Winter.
"Where do you think Azrael kept him other than this room?" He asked.
Winter looked up at him with his face full of hopelessness and fear. "I... I d-don't know." He stuttered out.
Arnold, Trevor's fellow warrior wolf stepped out of the bathroom. "It's empty." He said.
I fought hard not to let out a growl from frustration. I know it won't do anyone any good if I show them any sign of what I was feeling, especially to Winter. I may not know the guy that much, but one thing I'm pretty sure of is that he and Ash has grown a close bond together while they were kept imprisoned here. He may not say anything about it, but I know he's scared and is worried sick for his friend. His eyes gave it all away.
"What do you want us to do now?" Trevor asked the now panic-stricken Winter.
He turned to meet Trevor's gaze before he lowered his eyes to the ground. Not answering the question directed towards him.
"Winter. We have to move soon. We're running out of time." I spoke, in hopes of snapping him out of his trance.
He didn't utter anything again. I turned to look at Trevor who only shook his head, also not knowing what to do nor what was happening.
"Winter?" I called as I stepped closer to him.
"Just... Just give me a second. I'm trying to think." He spoke with a small frown on his face.
I placed a comforting hand on his slightly shaking shoulder. My palms immediately felt how tense and stressed out he was.
"Guys we have to move soon before the cameras come back on again. " Trevor said as he stood close to the door, looking around for any threat.
And just like that, I felt like I saw a light bulb turn on at the top of Winter's head.
"That's it." He said before scrambling his hand inside his little backpack.
"What?" I asked, looking at him a bit confused.
He turned to all of us. "I'm gonna need all of you guys to stay out of the camera's view. I'm gonna put it back on live." He said, causing a frown to appear on my face.
"What? Why would you do that?" I questioned him incredulously.
"Just trust me on this one. I have an idea." Was what he said.
I stared into his eyes to look for any lies, but found none. I sighed, giving his shoulder a little squeeze before I nodded.
Then I turned to the guys and began giving them instructions. And once everyone was finally out of the camera's line of sight, I turned to Winter once again and gave him the confirmation to proceed with turning the damn devices back on.
After the CCTVs are back on live, Winter then started scanning the mansion with it using his phone.
"Mind telling us what is it you're looking for?" I asked him as he busily stared at his mobile.
He casually glance at me before going back to his phone screen. "I was thinking if Ash is locked up somewhere else inside the mansion, I'm guessing that specific room is well guarded." He said, making me hum understandingly.
"So you're saying you're looking for a room guarded by hunters?" I asked for clarification.
Winter only nodded. "Speaking of." He said as he showed me his screen. There on the display is a door being guarded by Hunters. And what caught my attention is an individual that was banging on the door as he tries to get it open. He was turning the knob a bit forcefully.
I turned to Winter. "You think that's the right room?"
He bit his bottom lip. "I just had this feeling he's in there."
I turned back to the phone screen and examined it. "Where is this at?"
"Just a floor above us." He answered.
"Then let's go," I told him. "Disable the cameras again so we can go. We're wasting precious time here."
Winter nodded at me with a small smile before he turned to his mobile phone's screen. He stared at it for a second with wide shocked eyes.
I frowned upon seeing his reaction. I stepped closer towards him to ask if everything's okay.
"What's going on?" I asked as I stood in front of him.
Winter once again turned the display screen of his mobile towards me. And after seeing what got him wide-eyed, I couldn't help the frown to form on my face.
"What the hell is happening?" Trevor asked this time.
Winter turned to the guy. "The door I just mentioned is now broken open." He said, making the buff guy look at him in confusion before he showed him what he meant through his phone screen. "And the hunters that stood guard outside are dead. All four of them."
Those hunters weren't given mercy with how brutally and inhumane they were killed. It was like whoever did it was simply out for blood and nothing else. Body parts were scattered everywhere, just like how the blood has stained every nook and cranny of that area. If a faint-hearted person were to look at it, I'm sure they'd puke their stomach out with how gross it was. Whoever did it was a pure cold-blooded killer.
"Who the f*ck did that?" Trevor asked as he kept his gaze on the screen.
"I don't know," Winter responded back.
"Let's not think about that for now," I said. "What we have to worry about is Ash. Every second that passes means a second he's in more danger. Now let's move." I urged before I turned to Winter who only nodded, already understanding what I was about to ask him.
"Cameras going offline in three...two... one..." He counted down before giving us the go signal.
And with that, we're out of the room.
"Just follow this hallway, then up a set of stairs before we enter another hallway where the room is at," Winter said and we finally moved.
After taking down a couple more hunters and rogues, we made it at the bottom of the stairs. But before we could begin our ascend, Winter stopped us.
"Wait." He yelled, effectively halting us.
"What?" I asked as I turned to him questioningly.
He motioned his head towards the top of the stairs, which I turned to see what he was trying to mean. And there I saw the most beautiful wolf whose fur was covered in blood. But what caught my attention is the black spot shaped like a crescent moon on its right shoulder. It looked like it was glowing. And just by the way it stood at the top of the stairs basically screamed power. It was making my wolf submit to it, which was weird. I have Beta blood so I only submit to my Alpha and no one else. But this... This was a first.
"I'm guessing that's the wolf responsible for killing those hunters like a damn serial killer?" Trevor spoke.
"Well, by the looks of how it bathed in blood, I'm gonna say yes," Winter said as he gulped nervously.
"Connor, do you know this one?" Trevor asked, making me turn my gaze away from the marvelous wolf and towards the buff, tall guy.
"No, not really. But for some reason, my wolf is submitting to it." I admitted loud for all of them to hear.
"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one," Winter spoke up, causing me to look at him.
"That's just weird because I feel the same way too," Trevor admitted as well.
Then we all turned to the wolf who didn't budge on top of the stairs. It just remained standing there watching us silently, as if studying us with its piercing bright ocean blue eyes.
"Hi, Connor." A voice suddenly echoed inside my mind. It was using Ash and I's link.
I frowned. The voice was someone I don't know of, yet somehow, I feel like I know who it clearly belongs to. It was confusing and it doesn't make any sense.
"I'm Ariah, Ashley's wolf." The voice finally introduced and I could feel my brain exploding.
What in the actual flying f*ck is going on?
Ashley's POV
>I think you creeped him out.< I told Ariah as I looked at Connor's pale face. He looked like he's at the brink of passing out. If this was from a different circumstance, I would have laughed my butt off. He simply looked like he's seen a ghost. Or worse, he looked like he's watching his Mother advancing angrily towards him with a slipper, ready to smack him any minute.
>How? I didn't even do anything to scare him off.< He questioned innocently.
>Well, uhm, you see, you talked to him using our mind link. And since he doesn't know you, that kinda, you know...< I trailed off as I tried to explain it to my wolf.
>Oh.< Was all he said before giving me a mental look telling me he's sorry.
>Let's go to him so we'll get to clear things out, okay.< I told him. >But before we do that, I have a question.< I added in.
>What?< Ariah inquired.
>Why are they looking at us like that?< I finally asked after noticing their weird looks directed at us.
But I'm not saying it's the bad kind of weird, it just feels... well, weird. They look at us like we're going to beat the living daylights out of them till they end up dead. I mean, my wolf doesn't even look intimidating at all. If anything, I would say Ariah looked really adorable, especially with our snow-white fur, which is, by the way, is currently covered in blood, and some itty, bitty flesh of someone I don't even wanna who belongs to. But nonetheless, we still looked more like a husky than an actual wolf.
>Hey.< Ariah whined with a mental pout. >I just ended those hunters' lives on a bad note and here you are telling me I looked more like a husky than a wolf? Huskies aren't even related to wild wolves.< He reasoned out smartly and exasperatedly.
I almost rolled my eyes at him.
>Alright drama Queen, you don't look like a husky.< I resigned with a bored tone. >But seriously, why are they looking at us like that?<
>I don't know. Just amazed, maybe?< He replied with a mental shrug of his shoulder.
>Ariah, we're covered in blood.< I deadpanned at him.
>Oh.<
Sometimes, he can be of no help. But then again, I barely knew my wolf, and he basically 'just woke up' so I guess that's an invalid reason.
And with that, we walked down the steps to meet with Connor, Winter and some guys I don't know. But they looked intimidating with their big stature, so I'm guessing they're warriors or something like that.
>They're indeed warrior wolves.< Ariah confirmed.
>Ha. Figured.<
After we made it at the bottom of the stairs, I stood face to face with my ex-boyfriend and my friend who was still looking at me weird.
>I think it would be best if we shift to human form.< Ariah suggested, making me mentally give him a look telling him how.
>Just imagine yourself gaining back full control and the shifting process should start.< He explained.
As I closed my eyes and followed my wolf's instructions, I could slowly feel my body reverting back to our human form. I tried to focus my attention on the feeling while we shift and I found it kind of interesting, so to say. I mean, other than hearing my bones rearrange and my flesh adjusting, it was still fascinating. It was weird how my senses are more sensitive while in my second form. It was like, I could hear everything even when it's from a mile away.
As I completed the shift, I once again opened my eyes, meeting those who are already staring at me before I shifted.
I turned to look at Winter but saw him with a bright red cheeks. Connor, on the other hand, cleared his throat while pulling himself to look away other than towards me. He was also mildly blushing. I went to turn my gaze at the warriors standing behind them and saw they were also looking away, which instantly made me frown.
Now what's gotten into them? I thought.
>Well, uhm, I'm guessing we're naked.< Ariah pointed out shyly from the back of my head.
And I could swear to whoever Gods there is, I instantly turned crimson as I looked down at myself to see if I was indeed, lacking of any clothing.
And as embarrassing as it may sound, yes, I was as naked as the day I came out of my Mom's canal.
On impulse, I quickly covered myself as much as I can. And considering I have small hands, it really didn't do much except cover the MORE important ones.
>Why didn't you tell me we'd end up naked after we shift?< I pretty much yelled at my wolf from total embarrassment.
I could feel him shrink further away towards the deepest parts of my mind, also now feeling embarrassed himself.
>Well, I thought it didn't really matter since they could see our penis dangling out while in wolf form already.< He reasoned out, making me groan mentally.
>Ariah, that's a totally different case. They don't mind seeing animal genitals.< I spoke.
>Oh. My bad, then.< He apologized coupled with a sneaky smile.
All I could do was sigh.
I was snapped out of my embarrassment as I felt someone cover me with someone's clothing. I blinked before I turned to see who it was and I saw Connor, still sporting a light pink tinted cheeks.
"You're lucky Winter brought some clothes with him." He spoke gently.
I turned to Winter and mouthed a 'thank you'.
"I've been dying to ask," Connor spoke up once again, effectively gaining my attention. "How do you have a wolf?" He finally dropped the question he said he was dying to be asked.
I gave him a small shrug. "I don't know, really. I actually just found out today." I admitted, causing his brows to rise.
"For real?" He asked disbelievingly.
I only nodded. "Ariah spoke to me out of the blue, and that's when he told me who he was and why he was only just able to resurface."
"So why did it take him so long to show himself?" Winter asked this time, also interested to know.
"He said he was in a long, deep slumber," I answered.
"Why was he asleep for so long?" Connor inquired curiously.
"I don't know. Nor does he." I stated.
Connor was about to ask another question when the guy covered in muscle, intervened.
"Guys, let's save the chat after we're out of here. For now, let's prioritize those." He said, motioning his head at the top of the stairs where Hunters and Rogues stood.
Connor placed a hand on the small of my back.
"Shift back to your second form. I'm assuming your wolf is more capable of fighting than you, so you should give him control." He said as he stared at the enemies standing at the top of the stairs.
"Okay." Was all I said before a rogue growled viciously at us.
"I suggest you surrender him to us before anyone gets hurt." A hunter spoke as he pointed his crossbow with poison lacing its arrows.
"And what made you think we'll do that, human?" Connor said with an intense glare.
The hunter shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. Maybe you're scared to die, little doggie." He mocked, causing a growl to erupt from Connor's chest. It was intimidatingly loud which could send rogues scampering away with their tails between their legs. He's a Beta after all. And even without him possessing such title anymore, it's still without a doubt that he's more powerful than anyone else, just below the Alpha.
If I was still the same old Ash, I would've been hiding away by now. But for some reason, I didn't feel any intense fear. Maybe it's due to the fact that I have a wolf.
"Now hand him over." The hunter once again spoke. I'm guessing he's like a leader above all these filthy rogues.
"I'm not a rag doll, you ugly old fart," I spoke this time. Sending the guy a glare as intense as my tiny self could muster.
"Oh, you aren't?" He mocked. "Why didn't I hear you say that when Jacob f*cked you till you passed out?" He said with a menacing laugh.
Without even knowing, an intense growl erupted from my very own chest. Catching the hunters and rogues off guard.
Immediately, I could sense their intimidation as they stood there from foot to foot. Even Connor, Winter, and the rest of the warrior wolves went tense after hearing it out of me.
Even I didn't expect it.
>The heck was that?< I asked Ariah.
>No one talks to us like that and live to see another day, Ash.< He said, in an oddly calm way, which only scared me more.
I didn't say anything back since clearly, my wolf's no longer in a good mood. AGAIN. I just hope he doesn't go on another killing rampage like what he did earlier. It was something I didn't want to witness. It was very brutal as well as the goriest thing my eyes have ever seen. I couldn't believe he would lash out like that. He just lost it when someone made a move of attacking us. He completely took control and fought like a true warrior even when he's been asleep for a very long time.
"You have no right to speak to us like that." It was Ariah who spoke this time. His voice is just a tad bit deeper than mine. Obviously, he's in complete control again.
I could feel his emotions with anger being the most dominant of them all.
Without wasting another second, Ariah shifted to our wolf form. He stared the hunters and rogues down intensely as if already ending their lives in his mind, which only worsen my growing fear.
>Ariah, please. Don't lash out like you did earlier. Spare them some mercy.< I told him as his anger grew to almost the extreme. He can obviously feel my own fear which only drove him even angrier.
>Mercy? They attacked us earlier without any hesitation Ash, and they will do it again in a heartbeat. They're ordered to hurt us or even kill us and I can't let that happen. We're carrying our mate's child, Ash. Mercy's no longer an option the moment they almost hurt us. So now I'm not going to hold back. I'll kill every single one who even dares to hurt us again.< He spoke with anger evident in his voice, giving no space for an argument.
Suddenly, a rogue made the first move to attack, causing a growl to erupt from Ariah's mouth. Before the rogue causes any damage, Ariah went for the kill. He swiftly dodges the rogue as it lept off the ground. And before its paws could touch the concrete floor, Ariah went for its throat and ended its life without a second thought.
>I'm sorry if you had to see me like this, Ash. But just know that I'm only doing this for us.< He said before blocking me out and leaving me by myself.
All I could do was watch as he went from rogue to rogue and ripping its throat out of its body like it was an easy feat. He was being bathed from our enemy's blood once again, and obviously, that's the least of his concerns at the moment. He was so out of it that he didn't even care when a hunter managed to injure us using a knife. He just went on like a mad man, taking life after life like he's a God.
I couldn't even talk to Connor through our link because Ariah blocked me out from using it. And I feel like I'm also not allowed to control my own body anymore. Ariah's in complete command, and I'm guessing I won't gain control back until he's no longer consumed with anger.
>Ariah stop!< I yelled as he kept ripping a dead rogues body to pieces just like what he did to those who we encountered earlier. >It's dead, It's dead. It won't hurt us anymore.< I called, but it fell to deaf ears as he continued to ignore me.
>Ariah, please, that's enough.< I yelled once more. >Please listen to me.<
I don't know what's going on with him but right now, he's scaring me.
>Ariah!< I yelled as loud as I could. Once he was satisfied with what he did, he turned his attention to my friends who only stood there looking shocked by what they've witnessed.
He was still very out of it that he pretty much see everyone in close proximity as a threat. And at this moment, he's seen my friends as threats which is not good.
He growled as he stood on an aggressive stance, snarling at them with so much malice.
>Please, Ariah, don't hurt them. They're our friends. They're here to rescue us, not to hurt us. Please, listen to me.< I tried to reason to him once again. But obviously, he still ignored it.
Connor pulled his hands up, showing Ariah they're no harm to us, but that only made Ariah growl even more.
>What's going on with you?! Snap out of it right now.< I scolded as fear once again took over me. And I guess Ariah mistook it as fear from my friends attacking us, which only intensified his already extreme anger.
Ariah snarled at them as he slowly stalked forward.
>Stop! Please, stop.< I pleaded to him.
He ignored me once again. This time he made a move to attack.
>No.< I screamed.
I couldn't take the look I saw from Winter's eyes. The fear swimming in them as he watched my wolf charge towards them. It was also one of the things I didn't want to see. I didn't want my friends to be scared of me.
>Enough! Ariah, that's enough.< I screamed as I pushed for control. But what I didn't expect was for him to actually stop.
He was frozen on his tracks, as he readied himself to attack Connor and the others. After I finally gained back control of myself, I shifted back to human form. Falling to the floor panting, I looked up to see dumbfounded looks on everyone's faces.
The first one to snap out of it was Connor who immediately went to cover me up. Next was Winter who knelt next to me with a worried look on his face.
"What was that about, Ash?" Connor asked as he helped me stand up.
I turned to face him. "I... I lost control of Ariah and he just went rabid."
"How did you gain back control then?" He questioned again.
I shook my head, not really certain how I actually did it.
"But for some reason, I can't feel him," I spoke. "I can't feel my wolf."
What the heck did I do?
End of Choosing Mr. Destiny Chapter 44. Continue reading Chapter 45 or return to Choosing Mr. Destiny book page.