Ashton parked his black Kia Soul at the side of the tarred road and made his way into the woods. He was here towards the far end of the former region of the then Silver Fur pack to see the Miranda werewolf family. They were rogues he'd saved two years ago and they had chosen to live at the land's edge in tents, despite all Ashton had done to convince them. It was a notion that the Miranda family shared that they weren't worthy to live among others. Ashton did not like that, but there was one thing he knew about them and that was that they loved to stay together.
Now, Ashton was here because he had finally finished making ready a home for them within the main pack lands. He had built it in the way he hoped they loved. Sincerely, he was doing this for their safety. Every single wolf in his pack, in his care, ought to be accounted for. The hunters had been disgruntled when he broke off the agreement. His sixth sense suspected they may return to hunt on their lands, even outside the lines of the annulment of their agreement. And he did not want the Mirandas getting hurt in the crossfire.
Ashton only hoped that Marcellus, the head of the family heeded him this time. As he drew near to their tenting ground, he caught the scent again - lilies and apple blossoms. Cassandra. Dressed in a wornout green dress that she must have collected from one of the Miranda women, she still looked regal. She was humming in the middle as she rocked a sleeping baby gently in her arms.
So beautiful. So gentle. Her presence stirred him in ways he did not understand.
~§~
Cassandra smiled to eighteen year old Katniss beside her. “Karen's finally sleeping." Somewhere within Cassandra, her heart felt for Katniss. She had wound up pregnant at such a young age and the father of the baby had rejected her. That's terrible, Cassandra thought. Even the fact that Katniss' parents did not search out the boy and fight for their daughter pissed off Cassandra all the more.
Cassandra looked at Katniss. The young girl was uncertain and scared not just for her life, but also for the little life she had brought into the world. Adjusting Karen in one arm, she put her other arm around Katniss to reassure her. “You're gonna be alright, Katniss. You're doing your best for your baby girl. She will surely be fine." But the girl only heaved a sigh and looked away.
Cassandra wondered what she could do to make things better for Katniss and her baby. Hell, for the entire Miranda family. They sure need help. Cassandra thought as she looked around the destitute place. Her nostrils picked the beautiful scent of sandalwood and vétiver and something about it soothed her nerves. Her eyes followed the direction in which her nose picked the scent and she saw Ashton, every bit of him dripping the handsomeness of a Greek god. His silver eyes were set steadfastly on her as he came towards the tent.
Cassandra felt it, the dominating aura from him. As much as she wanted to hate him for being the Alpha her brother answered to, something about him welcomed her attention.
The members of the Miranda family seemed to sense the Alpha's presence and slowly they came out of the tents and wherever else they were. As he came closer, they bowed their heads to him.
On a second thought...Cassandra felt anger rising within her as Ashton acknowledged each person by saying their names before passing them. Thinking of all she'd seen here, how different it was from the main pack lands. Cassandra's head snapped up and she stared at Ashton defiantly.
He soon reached her. He acknowledged Katniss first, then her baby. “Karen is beautiful." Then he faced Cassandra. “Cassandra." His deep voice struck a cord in her.
Has my name always sounded this good? Cassandra thought. “Snap out of it, mon bébé. You have forgotten you were angry." Adèle sneered at her from her insides and immediately Cassie's composure returned. “Alpha Ashton."
