Shattered and Saved (Ashen Wolves #2)

6

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A V R I L

“What do you mean?” Koen asked, confusion written all over his face, mixed with a hint of weariness. “Revenge on who?”

I clenched my jaw, as if to help keep my mouth shut. Elijah had insisted I should come clean with Koen - tell him everything, from start to finish. But I doubted he had even been able to digest what he’d just learned. Besides, sharing our ultimate goal with him made me hesitant.

“There’s no point in keeping the truth from him,” Kea chimed in. She had been mostly quiet since our visit to Whispering Hills, though I could feel her emotions clearly - from the pain she felt when she witnessed our former mate fall to his knees amidst the fallout of the massacre to his pack, to the peace that enveloped her when I made the decision to rescue him. “ You said it yourself - he can’t leave. If he’s going to stay with us, he might as well know the good, the bad, and the bloodshed.”

Accepting she was right, I sighed, letting go of my hesitation. “It’s a long story, but I guess you’ve got time. The shaman said you should rest for at least another hour. You might feel dizzy until the tea wears off.”

Koen faltered when I gestured to the chair, debating whether to take my advice. Eventually, he realized I wouldn’t give him what he wanted until he complied. Once he sat, I paced to the window, staring out as I searched for where to begin.

A minute later, I started, “What do you know about the Ashen Wolves?”

“Only that they used to be some kind of loyal guard for the lycans,” he replied without hesitation. “I mean, that’s what I read. Is it even true?”

I nodded. “Centuries ago, when the lycans still ruled over every species of wolf shifter, the Ashen Wolves were tasked with being their protectors. We were created by the Moon Goddess to have special abilities, as well as a predisposition to serve. Our duty was to assist the lycans in keeping the peace in the kingdom.”

Koen listened attentively to my words. Every now and then, I glanced at him, too curious not to study him. Despite how focused he was, disbelief still glistened in his eyes, as if he struggled to believe that all of this was actually real.

"But the lycans went extinct," he remarked during my brief pause.

“Legend has it, the Moon Goddess wanted to share their power with all her children, believing peace would follow if everyone was equal,” I explained. “Gradually, lycans were paired with regular wolf shifters until there were no pure-blooded lycans left. The same didn’t happen to the Ashen Wolves.”

A puzzled frown creased Koen’s forehead, his eyes locking onto mine, searching for answers. I knew exactly what he was thinking - if Ashen Wolves didn’t mate outside their species, how were we bonded? I quickly averted my gaze. After years of dwelling on the question, I still had no explanation. There was no point in bringing it up.

“Anyway, Ashen Wolves didn’t disappear along with lycans,” I went on, “but we lost our purpose. Without a dynasty, we had no one to serve. Still, for another couple of decades, we lived among the other wolf shifters, until they decided there was no longer use for us.”

As anger surged in my throat, I clenched my fists. Even though I wasn’t born then - nor were my parents or my grandparents - the fury I felt over the injustice our kind suffered felt almost hereditary. I had heard that story enough and dreamed long enough of changing its ending.

Koen seemed to notice the shift in my mood. His tone carried a careful undertone as he asked, “What happened to them?”

As I tore my gaze away from the window, my eyes fell on Koen. “A massacre,” I said, my voice heavy with the weight of the past. “Although our kind was peaceful, regular shifters feared our power. The packs that existed back then united against us. Our strength couldn’t match their numbers. They drove us from our territory, set fire to the sacred Banyan to weaken us, and killed us one by one - only a few of us managed to escape by hiding.” I paused, the gravity of history sinking in, then added, “Whispering Hills was the one who led the hunt.”

Koen’s eyes widened as a mix of emotions crossed his face - shame, regret, and sympathy. “That’s why the ashes were with my family,” he realized, his expression then giving way to doubt. “Wait,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Did you...?”

A shiver ran down my spine at the unspoken question. I couldn’t blame him for the assumption, but it still bothered me.

Shaking my head, I said, “No, we weren’t part of Whispering Hills’ destruction. I believe that was solely your father’s doing.” Giving him a sympathetic look, I offered, “And, for what it’s worth, I am sorry for your loss, Koen.”

Koen nodded, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes after his accusation. However, it only lasted a moment before uncertainty flooded them again as he put the pieces together. “What’s your plan, then? To decimate the entire werewolf society?”

I looked away, feeling the disapproval in his voice. “We just want to live, Koen. Not like rats, hiding in alleyways, fearing what might fall upon us if they find out that we’re still around,” I argued. “We want to be ourselves and have the same rights as everyone.”

“And the only way you can achieve that is through war?” Koen’s face went slack with shock, his expression a mix of horror and incredulity.

There was no anger as I countered, “You just found out in the worst way possible that peace can’t be achieved through politics.” He winced at my words - a low blow, yet necessary if I wanted him to understand me. “Once the bloodshed begins, there’s no raising of white flags. Either you fight, or you die.”

When Koen stiffened, I knew I had made an impact. That didn’t mean he agreed with me, though, which became evident with his next question. “What makes you think the Moon Goddess wants the Ashen Wolves to thrive?”

“I wasn’t completely sure until I held the ashes under the moonlight,” I replied in all honesty. “When they absorbed the light, I knew that Diana had given us her blessing. She gave us our powers back, so we could fight to survive.”

At my explanation, he fell silent. I didn’t push him; he had been through a lot in the past few hours and had much to process.

“Well, there you have it - the truth, all of it,” I said, slapping my thighs and pushing away from the wall I had been leaning against as I approached Koen. “How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?”

“I’ll be fine,” he insisted, avoiding my gaze. Kea’s ears drooped at his coldness, but I knew I couldn’t expect kindness from him after everything that had happened.

“Okay,” I sighed, trying not to show how his reaction made my heart tighten - it was hard enough to admit it to myself. “I’ll let you rest for now. I’ll be back in an hour, then I can show you around if you’re feeling better,” I offered. He seemed to perk up, but he didn’t say a word. As I headed to the door, I added, “You may not be able to leave, but you’re not a prisoner here. I will do my best to make you feel at home.”

It felt strange to leave Koen alone in my room. I had never brought anyone there except my Beta and Gamma, and they never stayed longer than a few minutes, always while I was present. In the end, I shrugged it off. Koen didn’t seem like the type to snoop, and it wasn’t like I had anything else to hide.

When I returned, I found him still sitting in his chair, now positioned closer to the window. He was staring thoughtfully into the forest - I wondered if he was mourning or absorbing everything he had just learned. Probably both.

“Ready to get some fresh air?” I asked lightheartedly, managing a smile.

He glanced at me over his shoulder and forced himself to return the gesture. “Yeah, that’d be good.”

I led Koen through the hallways and down the stairs to the ground floor. The packhouse was empty since most members were busy with their work, which was a relief. It would take time for them to adjust to my former mate’s presence, and I wanted to avoid drawing too much attention until it was time to formally introduce him to everyone.

Unceremoniously, I pushed open the double doors that led outside. Koen halted, his entire posture shifting as he took in the view before him. I couldn’t help but smile genuinely as I watched his awe unfold, his eyes scanning every inch of the town square with admiration - from the lush green grass to the vibrant orchids and the serene stream, finally lingering on the Banyan that flowed with magic.

Warmth filled me as I said proudly, “Welcome to Azure Smoke.”