His Savior

Visit to Ash Band

~Cory~

               Sunlight is shining on me, and the scent of roses is in the air. I stretch out and open my eyes. I'm greeted with darkness. Everything around me is black, black and has a dank smell. I close my eyes again, willing the sunlight and rose scent to descend upon me, but it doesn't happen. I open my eyes and stare up. At least, I think I'm staring up. No matter where I look, everything looks the same; black.

               I replay the last few moments of my life, and I remember the pain and the fear. I'm not sure what I did to end up like this, but this is where I am. I replay the blows that my body received, and the pain is so real. I look up at the face in front of me, the one who did this to me, but I can't seem to make out any features. I swear I know who did this to me, but their identity eludes me right now. Well, I guess I have an eternity to remember. Besides, what will remembering do for me?

               My memories switch over to Zahara, my mate. I never believed that I would get a mate, and for it to be Zahara over anyone else.......wow. I always imagined that my mate would take one look at me and reject me. Zahara didn't do that; she didn't want to reject me. I wish I had time with her......time to enjoy the mate bond. Time to enjoy her company like I used to do when we were in school. Zahara and I never seem to have much time together. Our time is always getting cut short though that always seems to be because of me. These thoughts continue to run through my mind. I turn to my side and close my eyes in the darkness.

~Laslo~

               This week has been torture. I've been trying to be patient, knowing that I would be seeing Zahara again. I've been trying to figure out how to convince her that this is where she needs to be. It will be easier to accomplish if I can sign a treaty with her pack. Her dad seems eager to do that, and I'm sure it helps that a neutral area only separates our territories. We aren't too far away if something bad happens.

                I've done my best to avoid Nikki. Ever since that night, she has been trying to stick to me like glue. It has been hard to avoid her and even harder to keep my mom from joining Nikki's side. Mom wants me to have a mate already. She doesn't want me to run the pack too long on my own. I know I just need to get Zahara to agree to be my chosen mate, and everything will be okay.

               The entire drive to the Ash Band pack had my stomach in knots. I have never had someone have such an impact on me, but when it comes to Zahara, I can't help it. Nero has become attached just as much as I have. No one will come close to Zahara, and soon she will understand that.

               Pulling up to the packhouse, I see Alpha Bryon and Beta Simeon standing out front with others that I haven't seen before. I step out after my mother and our Beta Cyrus. Alpha Bryon walks over to meet us and greets us with handshakes. "Let me introduce the rest of the group. This is our Gamma Donovan, our future Gamma Bryn, my son Maurice, and my Luna Amara." I shook hands with everyone, with the Luna being the last. I take her features in, and I notice the resemblance to Zahara. They look so much alike; Zahara has a caramel skin tone like her mother and the same gorgeous brown eyes. Unlike Zahara, Amara wears her hair out. It is shoulder-length and curly in nature. It makes me wonder if that is how Zahara's hair is out of the braids. Bryon looks to be about 6'3, and Amara is much shorter, I'd guess about 5'7 or so. It's clear that Zahara gets her height from her mother. I don't mind that, I like shorter women.

               I'm dying to ask where Zahara is, but I don't want it to be obvious. I came here to make sure that I could convince Zahara to be my chosen mate, so wherever she is, I will speak to her before leaving. Just as we all turn to head into the packhouse, Zahara and Lennox come running up from the side. "We are so sorry that we're late. We had to finish up a few things." I love Zahara's voice. I swear I could listen to her for hours on end. She and Lennox greet everyone. When she greets me, I hang on to her hand a bit longer than the others. I try to catch her eye, but she is quick to release me and move into the packhouse. I need to find the best time to approach her so we can talk.