-:Ashton's POV:-

I rushed over to her and enveloped her in my arms, her scent surrounding me and calming my wandering mind. I was mindful of her injured hand.

I had been so fucking scared.

She was frozen, stiff, and hesitant. I didn't give a fuck. She didn't push me away. I had her in my arms, awake and alright. That was all that mattered. 

She is okay. 

"You're okay," I whispered over and over again, reassuring myself and nuzzling in the crook of her neck where her scent was the strongest. She hugged me back after what felt like an eternity.

"Xav?" She asked tentatively. I shook my head, sad that I had been so bad to her that even a little show of affection made her think it was my wolf. I was ashamed. My eyes teared up.

"Ashton," I told her, shame and regret slipping into my voice. I pulled her closer, needing to feel her close. Xavier calmed down and my heartbeat evened out.

She is safe.

A few tears slipped out. It was the first time I'd held her that close to myself and that feeling was so beautiful, I was already addicted to it. Her body molded perfectly into mine. The sparks ignited a feeling of warmth and homeliness. 

She was my home.

It made me wonder how I spent almost eighteen years of my existence without her and her touch. 

A throat cleared behind me and we jumped apart. I inconspicuously wiped away the wetness in my eyes.

"What?" Cecelia asked in a peevish tone. I turned around to see who it was and stiffened. In the little world I had created with Cecelia in my arms, I had forgotten Julian existed. 

It was a good world.

"I see you're well," he chaffed at her. "And here I was worried for nothing."

"Well, I am awesome," she said in a matter-of-fact tone with a dramatic flip of her hair.

"Good to see the wolfsbane didn't damage your humor and personality," he chuckled.

"As if," she smiled at him adorably. My heart clenched. Jealously burned through my body.

"I . . . will get going," I made to go before I did something stupid. Something I'd regret. "Excuse me," I added to be polite. I rushed out before I had to explain myself.

"Why weren't you here when I woke up?" Cecelia's complaining voice was the last thing I heard before they were out of my hearing range. 

Let me tell you, that did not help.

I started running when I exited the Packhouse.

The fight that I had built up inside of me deflated. I had said I'd fight for her and I would. But what if that would make her unhappy? She loved Julian. What if me fighting for her brought her pain and sadness? What if I ruined what she has with him for my selfish reasons?

That would be wrong, right? She would be devastated.

I couldn't do that. 

I loved her. I wouldn't hurt her like that. I refused to do that.

Xavier whined in my head and I wanted to whine with him.

'What does he have that we don't?' He wondered.

'Wish I knew, buddy,' I sighed.

'But we are their mate,' he said, referring to Cecelia and her wolf.

'I know,' I said.

'We can't give up on her, Ashton,' he protested.

'Would you rather she stay with us and be miserable for the rest of her life or she be with the one she loves and stay happy?' I asked.

He fell quiet. That's what I thought.

I was strolling dejectedly through the forests of their territories. I reached the stream and sighed. The times I spent with her there flashed through my mind and hope rekindled in me. 

Maybe there was a chance she might love me too? If not today, sometime in the future? I could wait for her. I would wait for her. As long as it takes. Even if it's never.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard footfalls coming from behind me. I quickly scanned the area, hoping it wasn't an intruder. 

When I saw who it was, I wished it was an intruder.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, sounding sharper than I intended.

"I come in peace," he raised his hands, not halting his approach. I remained wary.

"She's alright," he said.

"I know that, Julian," I said dryly. "Now that we've had the small talk, can we please get to the point?"

"You both are more alike than you know," he smiled to himself.

"Eww, no offense, but I don't swing that way," I scrunched up my nose. It wasn't that I had a problem with homosexual people. Actually, Noel was homosexual and he was my best mate. It was just that the thought of Julian hitting on me when I knew Cecelia was less than five miles away made me uncomfortable.

He laughed.

"Glad you find it amusing," I muttered.

"You love her," he stated with conviction. I blinked, wanting to deny it. But then I thought, why lie? What did I have to lose? It couldn't possibly get worse.

"So? It doesn't matter," I shrugged, turning to face the water, slipping my hands into the pockets of my basketball shorts.

"Why doesn't it?" He asked.

"You know why," I scowled, hating him for rubbing salt in my wounds.

Honestly, what does Cecelia see in him?

"I thought it was because of the pack rivalry thing . . . " He trailed off. "What else could possibly make your feelings not matter?"

I shot him a glare.

"You," I spat out before I could stop myself.

"Me?" He cocked an eyebrow, sounding confused.

"Yeah, you."

"What did I do?" He frowned. 

"She loves you, you dumbass!" I said bitterly, annoyed.

"I know," he said. "I love her too. What's your point?"

I wanted to drown him in the river, bring him back from the dead and then push him off a cliff.

"This conversation is over," I stated.

"Ashton," he called. I didn't stop. 

"I have a mate." That made me halt. That was news. I turned around.

"Are you cheating on your mate with Cecelia? Does she even know?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Will you fucking stop assuming things?" He snapped. I raised an eyebrow.

"Now, why do you think you don't matter to her?" He asked patiently.

"Because she's fucking in love with you!" I burst out. He looked surprised.

"She said that?" He asked, obviously thrown off.

"Not in those exact words, no," I huffed.

"Then? For Goddesses' sake tell me everything!" He exclaimed.

"I asked her if she loved you. She looked away guiltily," I said surly.

Understanding dawned on his face. Then he started chortling.

I eyed the distance between the river and us. I was sure I could put my plan into action if I worked fast enough. It won't take long and I could always cover my tracks. Who'd know?

"Ashton," he asked, controlling himself and snapping me out of my murder fantasy. "Did you happen to be acting possessive then?"

I thought back to that night in these very woods.

"Maybe," I huffed.

"You idiot," he shook his head in disappointment. "She loves me, she isn't in love with me. There is a difference you fuckface."

I looked up at him in surprise.

"What?" I sputtered. 

He smirked.

"She is not in love with me, you delusional boy," he said slowly as if speaking to a toddler. That never occurred to me. I felt so stupid.

"B-but what abou-"

"Don't think. Nothing good ever seems to come of it in your case," he grimaced. I scowled at him.

"Very funny," I deadpanned.

"I thought so, too," he grinned.

I glared at him. 

"Oh, come on!" He laughed. "In a span of ten minutes, you assumed three things wrong. One,  I am gay. Two, Cecelia is in love with me. And three, the most idiotic, I am cheating on my mate. Can you blame me?"

I scowled. He was . . . right. I swallowed back the bile that came along with the thought. Never would I ever admit it to myself again.

"I understand you, though," he continued softly.

"You do?" I asked skeptically.

"I have a mate too," he reminded me. "She's older than me," he revealed. He paused, collecting his thoughts.

"I was still in Highschool but she was in college. I used to go and see her when I could and she'd do the same. She's stunning, so many males were always falling over their feet to get her to even go on a date with them," he shook his head sadly. "Most of them were either her age or older. It used to drive me nuts. I was always jealous, insecure, and moody. It was hard to reign my wolf those days. Lia helped me through that."

I never would have guessed.

"I have known Lia since my preteens." He said, "We were always joined at the hip, my Pack was so sure we'd be mates," he chuckled. I felt that pang of envy hit me again. I pushed it aside, wanting to listen more about Cecelia's past.

"At one point, even we hoped we'd be mates despite not having any romantic feelings for each other," he said, his eyes having a faraway look in them. "We both wanted to play it safe. Mostly Lia. I wanted her to be happy and I knew her past. She was broken. It took a lot of time for her to heal. I was there through it all so I know how far she's come." He paused again. I listened on, enraptured.

"We used to joke how we'd make our mates jealous with our bond, you know," he laughed. "Liana - she's my mate - was too mature to fall for that." A fond smile graced his face at the mention of his mate.

"What I'm here to tell you today, Ashton," he faced me, "Is that Cecelia is my best friend, almost like my little sister. I love her like no other and she returns my sentiments. I'll always have her back. I've seen her at her worst. I want to see her happy, too." 

He sighed, "I hope I'm not making a mistake. I'm putting my faith in the Goddess' pairing. You are the one for her. Win her over. It might be hard, but trust me, it'll be worth it."

"I know," I swallowed.

"Then also know this," he said in a deadly tone, "If I ever hear of you hurting her or mistreating her in any way, boy no one will even find your body. I will no longer give a fuck about the fact that you are her mate."

The intensity of his gaze removed all doubts that he'd not follow through with his threat. For some reason that made me trust and respect him.

"Noted," I nodded.

"Great," he grinned. "Now excuse me, I need to go talk to my mate."

"Julian," I called. He turned around with a questioning look.

"Thank you," I acknowledged. I really was grateful. Now that I had more insight into Cecelia's and Julian's relationship, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It gave me hope, a solid one, that I could have her. And that made me ecstatic.

"That was mostly for Lia's sake, but I'll take it," he laughed. "Also," he added, "In case you missed it, there's a spare couch in the room she's occupying currently. It's big enough for you to fit in. Make good use of this information." He disappeared from my sight.

My head was spinning from all the information I had received. 

Cecelia was not in love with Julian. Her parents were okay with us being mates. I actually stood a chance. Not to mention, Julian was sort of acting as my unspoken Wingman.

Hard to believe I hated his guts an hour ago.

I walked slowly back to the Packhouse. The medical wing's lights were dim. Cecelia's room's lights were off. I noticed that there was a package at the door. It smelled of Hayden. I picked it up to see a bundle of clothes: a shirt, a jacket and a pair of shoes. I gratefully slipped the shirt on, walking in quietly to see Cecelia sleeping soundly.

I smiled to myself as I walked to her. I gently kissed her forehead. She didn't even stir, but her lips quirked up a fraction. A proof of the celestial bond between us.

The storm within me calmed down completely. 

I threw my jacket on the couch's hand rest and lined my shoes against the wall. I crashed onto the couch, a little cramped but content. 

I was near my mate, she was safe and I loved her. There was a possibility she might give me a chance.

Small wins, right?

That was enough for me to fall asleep peacefully, cocooned in the sweet smell of citrus and spice. 

The smell of home. 

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A/N:-

I feel like I overdid it a little with the sappy stuff. But I also wanted to highlight it. It felt important to the story. I hope you guys are liking this so far.

Now that Ashton is aware that Cecelia isn't in love with Julian, what will happen? With nothing holding him back, what will be his next move? How will Alpha and Luna Summers react to the news of them being mates? And what about Cecelia's unknown enemies??

Will Cecelia and Ashton pull through?

Keep reading to find out!!

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Comment your thoughts and theories!! 

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Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.

P.S.

Confession:- This was supposed to be a time pass project initially. I never expected to be religiously updating. But look at me! Updating every fucking day!! I am so happy! Thank you for all the love and support you've shown me. That has motivated me to keep going. Every read, every vote, and every comment makes me more determined. I love you guys!!❤❤