Chapter 23: An Easy Promise To Keep

After her sparring session with Caleb, Ashleigh had gone back to her room to prepare herself for the evening festivities. She had taken a long shower and used the oils they had provided to moisturize her skin.

She closed her eyes and sniffed at her wrist; the oil had a sweet but delicate smell. Like brown sugar and figs. Ashleigh opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her dress was a deep cobalt blue, off-the-shoulder neckline with long sleeves that tied to her middle finger. A dropped waist accentuated her hips with a black leather corset belt. The rest of the dress flowed to the ground gracefully.

She had styled her hair, sticking to a loose braid, but adorning it with a few white and blue flower hairpins throughout.

A touch of eyeliner and shadow, just enough to accentuate her hazel eyes. Her lips were properly plumped and tinted.

All in all, she had to admit to herself that she looked quite lovely.

“And that matters why?” she scolded herself in the mirror.

Ashleigh huffed, looking away from the mirror. She wondered if she should wear something less formal.

“No,” she stated, “I am dressed to honor the Goddess. Not to draw anyone’s eye to myself.”

She nodded her head firmly, before glancing back over her shoulder at the mirror.

“Still, I wonder what he will think…” she thought to herself as she bit her lip with a small smile.

Catching her eyes in the mirror she saw the excitement in them, and her stomach clenched with familiar guilt.

“I’m the worst,” she sighed.

Allowing the shame to wash over her she promised herself she would avoid Caleb at the party no matter what.

In the end, it was an easy promise to keep.

The party was very nice, the food was great, the wolves were all quite nice. There was dancing, music, and laughter. Alpha Caleb gave a welcome speech. It was short and to the point, but well delivered.

Ashleigh couldn’t help but look out at the wolves around her as he spoke. She knew why he had such an effect on her, and he really, really did. But she was blown away by the effect he had on his people.

Her father was well-loved and respected among his people, but these wolves looked to Caleb with a devotion that brought a smile to her face. She had no doubt every one of them would lay down their lives for him.

When his speech was over, she had almost expected him to come to find her. But half an hour later she still hadn’t seen him. Another half-hour and still he was nowhere to be seen.

The full moon was high in the sky when she heard an announcement. There would be a full moon run. She longed to shift and go for a run, feeling the wind in her fur, but she felt something holding her back.

She inhaled the sweet night air, she could smell the trees, the dirt, the animals. It was so different from Winter. A primal longing in her was trembling with excitement.

“The air is different here…” she whispered, taking it in once more. “There is something sweet in the air.”

Ashleigh smiled as her heart raced. She wondered if it was an animal. Every once in a while, her primal urges would take root in her soul, and she would feel the need to hunt an animal and devour it like any other wolf.

This was similar, she felt the need, the longing, the anticipation of the hunt. Her mouth salivated at the thought of catching it and taking it for herself.

***

[An Hour Earlier]

Caleb delivered his speech; the words coming out automatically. Though his words were clear, and his actions were orderly, his mind was in complete chaos.

He felt Ashleigh’s presence, he knew exactly where she was. He refused to look at her and something deep within his being was in a rage by that choice.

His collar was suddenly very tight, his clothing was too hot.

As his speech came to an end, he avoided any who approached him. He went straight for the closest building, keeping his composure as he went. He entered and closed the door behind him gasping desperately for air.

Caleb fell to his hands and knees. His skin was on fire, his muscles tensed up suddenly as a trembling sensation ran through his body from his fingertips to his toes. He let out a shuddering breath as both desire and delight overran his brain.

“Mate.”

It was his own voice, in his own mind, but it was desperate and determined. He kept repeating it over and over. Each time sending another sensation through his body.

Caleb wondered how long he could hold himself together.

The door opened.

Caleb snarled as he turned to look at who it was that dared to follow him.

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“Whoa,” Galen said as he turned and saw his Alpha on his hands and knees.

Caleb snarled.

Galen raised an eyebrow, he watched him closely. Caleb was acting strange, he looked as though he were in pain, as though he were filled with rage.

There was sweat coming off his brow, the veins in his neck showed that he was struggling to control himself.

“What’s going on Caleb?” Galen asked softly. Not approaching him.

“Full moon,” Caleb growled through gritted teeth.

Galen furrowed his brow, he didn’t understand. A full moon had never been a problem before. Caleb had always had great control of his shifting, but it looked like he was fighting to keep himself from doing exactly that.

“I don’t understand, you’ve never had—”

“Ashleigh…” Caleb barely managed to say before another crippling sensation ran through him, forcing a desperate gasp from his lungs.

He slammed his fist on the ground, so hard it cracked, and his knuckles bled.

“Oh shit,” Galen replied as awareness sunk in. Caleb had never spent a full moon near his mate before. “What do you need me to do man?”

“Solitary!” Caleb roared.

For the first time, Galen noticed that Caleb wasn’t just angry, he was in pain. His eyes were filled with unshed tears and deep sorrow.

“I’ve got you, brother,” Galen said as he reached down and helped Caleb to his feet.

Together they made their way across the main campus, avoiding everyone. They moved slowly; the trip took almost half an hour.

When they made it to the interrogation rooms, the guard on duty was confused but knew better than to ask questions. He let them in, and they made their way to solitary confinement.

Galen opened the door, it was an empty room, no windows, no other doors. The door handle was only accessible from the outside. On the wall, there was a set of chains attached.

He helped Caleb over to the wall. He reached for the chains, but Caleb stopped him.

“Caleb, we have to, in another half hour the moon is going to be at its height and even you won’t be able to hold yourself back. Any other wolf, fine, they don’t have a chance at getting out of here on their own. But you, you’ll shred that door down. We need the chains.”

Galen didn’t like saying this to his friend, he hated the idea of chaining him up. But he knew it was necessary.

“I know,” Caleb confirmed, his jaw clenched, and his eyes closed as he focused on keeping control. “But you don’t have gloves. I will do it.”

Before Galen could object, Caleb grabbed the first cuff. Clenching his jaw once more as his skin contacted the metal.

The chains were made of a combination of silver and a unique kind of iron. While silver helped to suppress some of their werewolf abilities, it didn’t nullify them. The iron, however, did. It had a similar effect on all magical creatures.

It was also very painful against their skin.

He locked his ankles in the lower chains and tightened them, he would be able to sit and take a few steps from the wall, but not many. Next, he closed a cuff on his left wrist, pulling the chains down from the wall he placed the other on his right wrist.

Here he would need help, his arms were kept apart to prevent trying to uncuff himself. If he decided to sit down on the floor, his arms would never reach a relaxed position. Instead, they would stay apart above his head.

“I need you to tighten them all, now,” Caleb sighed. He was feeling tired. For him, it was like a tsunami coming. Watching the shoreline, the water recedes and there is no sign of danger, but soon, a tsunami will crash against the shore.

Galen swallowed and nodded. He leaned forward and tightened the cuffs against Caleb’s ankle, both of them let out small groans of pain as the metal burned their skin. He then tightened the left cuff, and finally, he secured the right and tightened it.

Galen pulled his hands away quickly, shaking them trying to release the burning sensation from his nerves.

He looked up at his friend, but Caleb’s head was down. He didn’t move or make a sound.

“Caleb?” Galen called, taking a step toward him.

Caleb’s head snapped up and he let out a guttural roar, his eyes glowed like the full moon on a clear night. His face was twisted in rage.

“Mate!” he hollered through the growls and snarls.

Galen fell back in surprise. He quickly left the room. The guard had already made his way down to the door, alerted by the sound. Galen pushed him back as he closed the solitary room. He led him away to enjoy the full moon.

Tonight, Galen would stand watch.

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