Chapter 43 Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Chapter 43
  Author’s POV
  Three weeks had passed since Alpha Asher announced to his people that they would be leaving the city. Some were happy about the move. They had been desperate to escape the cursed land that had claimed so many lives through an unknown illness—an illness that had only recently been cured. But others believed that leaving would only bring more destruction, and their fear stirred unrest among the people.
  The tension grew so bad, Alpha Asher had no choice but to call a meeting with the older members of his people.
  He sat tall on the high chair, his presence alone a reminder of his authority. The room was filled with murmurs, frustration hanging in the air like a storm cloud. Asher remained silent, eyes closed, fingers pressing gently into his temples. He looked deep in thought, but his ears picked up every word.
  “Silence!” he growled suddenly, and the room instantly went quiet.
  “I’ve heard enough of your complaints,” he said, voice firm and sharp. “I made this decision for your benefit. Do you even understand what I’m losing by choosing this path?” The anger in his voice was barely hidden.
  A man in his mid-sixties stepped forward, his tone filled with bitterness. “Where are we even going? We can’t just leave this place. You weren’t here when we suffered—when we buried our dead. You have no idea what it means to leave everything behind. We chose you as our Alpha because we respected your father and what he did for us. But now? You’re nothing like him. It feels like you only care about your own selfish interests.”
  Asher’s jaw clenched, and his fist tightened. How dare he speak to me like that? The thought burned through his mind. But still, he held back. He wouldn’t lose his cool. Not today.
  He stood up slowly and walked toward the man. The older man took a few steps back, clearly nervous.
  “You don’t have to move,” Asher said with a faint smirk. “I won’t bite.”
  Then he turned to face the others, standing in the center of the room.
  “Listen up, everyone,” he said, voice steady but commanding. “I made this decision with all of you in mind. I didn’t want to leave either. I had my own goals here—things I wanted to achieve. But nothing seemed to work out.”
  He paused for a moment, letting his words settle.
  “I am your Alpha. My duty is to serve you all. Your safety means more to me than anything else. That’s why we are leaving.”
  Some of the crowd began to cheer, encouraged by his words. Others still looked unsure. Asher lifted his hand to quiet the noise.
  “I know some of you don’t like the idea, and that’s okay. But I’ll make you a promise—you will live in a place that’s right for everyone. I’ve made arrangements. I’ve made sure no one will lack anything. I will protect you.”
  The skeptical expressions slowly started to fade. Faces that were once doubtful softened. Frowns turned into faint smiles, and a small wave of hope washed over the room.
  Asher felt a flicker of relief. Maybe—just maybe—they were beginning to understand.
  One month later, Asher and his people left the city behind and returned to the place he built with his own hands—and the legacy of his father. He had once left the city in Sean’s care, promising to return only when he had achieved what he needed to. But he never imagined he would come back with new people… and the love of his life.
  The people welcomed them with open arms, and things seemed to go well. The old and the new lived side by side, slowly blending their differences. For the first time in a long while, there was peace. Asher now ruled over a larger, stronger community.
  After a full month of peaceful coexistence, it all felt almost too perfect. There were festivals, laughter, busy markets, and whispers of a secret engagement between Asher and Isabella. On the eve of a grand unification ceremony—where Asher planned to make a life-changing announcement, to name Isabella as his Luna—everything changed.
  That night, tragedy struck.
  It happened in the dead of night. A coordinated massacre. Silent. Precise. And worst of all—it felt like an inside job.
  Asher woke to the smell of smoke and the sound of screaming. Flames lit up the night sky, devouring buildings. Children cried. Warriors lay lifeless in the streets. Chaos swallowed the peace that had taken so long to build. Blood covered the cobblestones.
  His heart dropped.
  “Isabella!” he growled, the sound of his rare Alpha growl tearing through the air like thunder. It was deafening—raw and primal. People turned, startled by the sound.
  The city burned. Some scrambled to put out the flames, while others ran in terror. Panic spread like the fire itself.
  Asher ran through the smoke and chaos, looking for her.
  But she was nowhere to be found.
  His search led him to the council chamber. And there—on the cold floor—lay Sean’s body. Butchered. Unrecognizable. Blood pooled around him. And beside him, a blood-soaked dagger… marked with the crest of one of Asher’s new followers.
  Asher dropped to his knees. His hands shook.
  “No… no, this can’t be happening. None of this is real,” he whispered, then screamed. “Sean! Wake up—please, wake up!”
  Tears streaked down his face, but Sean didn’t move.
  A few pack members rushed in and froze at the sight. Horror filled their eyes.
  “This is a complete mess,” Michael muttered, voice trembling.
  Asher stood slowly. His eyes were no longer human—burning red, filled with rage. His whole being shifted, a dangerous energy swirling around him.
  “Who did this?” he asked, voice low but deadly.
  “Asher, I—I don’t know. It all happened so fast, and—”
  “Where is Isabella?” he cut in sharply.
  Michael hesitated. His mouth opened, but no words came. He had searched too—but found nothing. His silence only made the tension worse.
  “Where is Isabella?!” Asher growled. The force of his anger made everyone step back.
  Just then, another pack member rushed in, panting. His eyes wide with fear.
  “We found her,” he stammered. “Isabella… she’s been found.”
  “Take me,” Asher said, his voice low and urgent as he followed the pack member through the trees. The others trailed behind, silent and tense.
  They moved quickly, the air thick with smoke and the scent of blood. As they approached the lake, Asher came to a sudden stop. His eyes widened in horror.
  There—floating in the shallow water—was Isabella. Her white dress soaked in blood, her body still.
  His heart stopped.
  His legs froze in place, and for a terrifying moment, he forgot how to breathe. The world around him went quiet.
  And then—he jolted awake.
  His chest rose and fell in heavy, frantic breaths. Sweat clung to his skin. His heart pounded against his ribs.
  “Asher, are you okay?” Isabella’s soft voice came from beside him.
  He turned sharply. His eyes landed on her face—whole, alive, safe.
  Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms trembled around her.
  “It was just a dream… just a dream,” he muttered over and over, as if repeating it would make it true.
  Isabella gently pulled back, concern etched on her face. “Asher, what happened? Was it a nightmare?”
  He hesitated, his voice shaky. “It’s nothing… I just thought I lost you.”
  Her expression softened. She cupped his cheek and gave him a small smile. “Asher, I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
  But he couldn’t shake the image. The blood. The silence. The stillness.
  He pulled her into his arms again, tighter this time. “You won’t leave… You’ll always be with me.”
  “Forever with you,” she whispered, resting her head against his chest.
  Asher held her like she was the only thing keeping him grounded. He hadn’t had nightmares since meeting Isabella. And now that they’d returned to the city… something didn’t feel right.
  Deep down, he feared this dream wasn’t just a nightmare. It was a warning.