The Hidden Luna

Chapter Nineteen

"All right," Asher declared as he stormed into the bedroom. He stopped at the foot of the bed and crossed his arms. "What happened to no secrets?"

Scarlett's eyebrows shot upwards and she closed Carter's copy of Hamlet, placing it on the nightstand. Her heart began to pound so loud it consumed her hearing. Instead of immediately spilling the beans, she asked, "What makes you think I'm keeping a secret?"

Asher cocked an eyebrow. "I've known you since we were four years old. I know when you're keeping something from me."

Scarlett was so tired of conflict and secrets and stress. She let out a sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "When I went to see Zion, he made a mistake and said and did dumb things. But what matters is that I called him out on it and it won't happen again."

"What did he do, Scarlett?" Ash growled.

Scarlett stood up and held out her hands in an attempt to reason with him. "Ash, what matters is that--"

"What," he yelled and then paused to collect himself. "Did he do?"

"He kissed me," Scarlett answered quietly. "And then told me he thinks we should have been mates instead of me and you."

She looked up to see Asher shaking his head, a lethal fire behind his eyes. "I'm going to kill him."

"Ash, no--" but it was too late, he broke out into a run and she raced behind him.

Scarlett knew it was useless, that she wouldn't catch up to him. He ran every day of his life. But nevertheless, she still trailed after him, through the backyard, and through the deep forest. Ignoring the pain she felt on her bare feet from the twigs and rocks, Scarlett powered through it and surged forward.

Once she reached where she had left Zion, Asher rushed forward. "Scarlett, don't look."

"Why?" Scarlett asked. When Asher didn't answer, she took a step forward but he pulled her back by the waist.

"What did you do?" Scarlett demanded, trying to read Asher's expression.

"Nothing," Asher replied, looking pained.

Taking him by surprise, Scarlett lurched forward and out of his grasp. "Then why can't I--" her eyes landed on the scene in front of her and she let out a sob.

Asher wrapped his arms around her and tried to pull her back, but she kept moving forward, tears streaking her face as Scarlett kicked and thrashed. "LET ME GO! LET ME GO!"

"NO," Asher yelled and then softened his tone. "Scarlett, please stop. We need to get back to the house."

Scarlett couldn't tear her eyes away from Zion's body, which was in far worse condition than Leon's when she had found him. Limbs were pulled apart and his insides were fully exposed, as if he was torn apart by a pack of wild animals.

And then Scarlett remembered it was wild animals who did this. Rogues.

"Zion," she cried, crumpling to the forest floor.

Asher kept his arms around her as he whispered, "I know, baby, I know. But we have to leave, we don't know if the rogues are still here. Please, let me take you back to the house."

Scarlett nodded her head and Asher scooped her up, effortlessly and ran back toward the house.

When they got closer, Carter noticed Asher holding her as he ran toward the house, so he stepped out onto the porch. "What's happened?"

"There's been another murder," Asher said as Hunter joined Carter's side. "Zion."

Carter looked uncharacteristically serious. "I'll grab Theo and Alpha Argent; we'll go search to see if the rogues are still close by."