Chapter 5

Ashina’s POV

The throbbing in my temples grew louder with every forced smile and polite conversation. I couldn't take it anymore. Every time I glanced at Erica by Nathan's side, a fresh wave of betrayal washed over me. I needed some air, some space to process the suffocating emotions swirling inside.

"Excuse me," I muttered to no one in particular, slipping away from the gathering of people. I navigated the swarm of bodies until I pushed open a door leading to a secluded balcony. Leaning against the railing, I took a deep, shuddering breath, trying myself to calm down.

Suddenly, the door creaked open again, and there she was. Erica. My breath hitched. "Shouldn't you be with your boyfriend?" I asked, my voice laced with bitterness I couldn't quite hide.

"Oh, don't worry about me," she said, a sweet smile plastered on her face. "I can tell you're not feeling well. All that stress must be getting to you." Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, lingering a little too long on my body.

"I'm fine," I gritted out, clenching my fists at my sides. The last thing I needed was her pity, or worse, her masked taunts.

"Come on, Ashina," she said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "We both know you're not. You look terrible. Maybe you should lay off the sweets a little."

Her remark hit the intended spot. I had always been a little self-conscious about my weight, and her comment sent a wave of anger coursing through me. But I knew I had to ignore it. Reacting would only give her the satisfaction she craved.

Ignoring her comment , I turned away, hoping she would take the hint and leave me alone. But of course, she wouldn't.

"Don't be so childish, Ashina," she sneered, her smile gone. "Just admit you're jealous. Nathan deserves someone better. Someone thinner, prettier, someone who actually loves him."

Her words were like a slap, the venom dripping off them. Every ounce of self-control I had been clinging to began to falter.

"Get out," I spat, my voice trembling with fury. "Just get out of my sight!"

"Oh, grow up," she scoffed. Of course, Nathan was not here but she had dropped her act sooner than I expected.

I calmed myself down internally and decided to leave. I turned to leave and before I knew what was happening, she grabbed my wrist, her grip surprisingly tight.

“Where do you think you’re going, we’re still talking!” Her grip grew even tighter, her eyes shooting bullets.

Instinct took over. In a desperate attempt to free myself, I yanked my arm back, sending her stumbling backward.

A gasp escaped her lips as she lost her footing and fell to the ground.

My heart lurched into my throat. Panic surged through me, replacing the anger. I didn't push her!

Just then, the balcony door swung open with a bang, revealing Nathan. His eyes darted between me and Erica, who was sprawled on the ground, clutching her ankle with a grimace on her face.

"Erica!" he yelled, rushing to her side. "What happened?"

Before I could even stammer out an explanation, Erica looked up at Nathan, her eyes welling up with tears. "Ashina pushed me!" she cried, her voice quivering.

Nathan's gaze snapped towards me, his face a mask of fury. "Ashina? Is that true?"

The betrayal in his voice was like a knife twisting in my stomach. How could he believe her so readily, without even hearing my side of the story?

"No, I..." I stammered, my voice choked with emotion. "She was throwing jabs at me and I..."

But the words died in my throat. Nathan wasn't interested in my explanation. His eyes was filled with anger, and his voice was cold "Get out!" he roared. "Get out of my sight!"

Tears welled up in my own eyes, blurring my vision. The world spun around me as the weight of his betrayal and Erica's lies crushed me. Without another word, I turned and fled.

DANIEL’S POV

I witnessed the entire scene unfold from the corner of the balcony. My suspicions about Erica had been building since I arrived, but to see her pin the blame on Ashina like that – it was infuriating.

Without a second thought, I excused myself from the party and hurried outside. The memory of Ashina's tear-streaked face made my steps hurried. I followed her to a quiet stream a distance from the pack house. I had missed her but I followed her scent and sure enough, as I approached the clearing, I saw her hunched figure shadowed against the moonlight. Her muffled sobs reached my ears even from a distance. My heart ached for her.

Taking a deep breath, I announced my presence, "Ashina?"

Her head snapped up, startled, tears glistened on her cheeks. "Daniel? What are you doing here?" she choked out, her voice thick with emotion.

"I saw what happened," I said gently, stepping closer.

Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. "You shouldn't have," she mumbled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She dusted her bottom from the dirt it acquired while she sat on the dirty floor. “See you at the pack house,” she said and in an attempt to leave she stumbled upon a twig.

My reflexes kicked in. In a flash, I moved forward, my arm wrapping around her waist just in time toprevent her fall. Her body collided with mine, her soft scent filling my senses.

For a moment, we were frozen, the only sound was the calm wave of the nearby stream. Her breath hitched against my chest, and I could feel the tremor running through her frame.

"Ashina!" a voice boomed through the night, laced with anger. We both whipped our heads around to see Nathan appeared from the shadows, his face morphed in anger.

The air crackled with tension. My arm quickly let go of Ashina while making sure she was steady not to fall.

Nathan's eyes narrowed, taking in the scene before him.

"What is going on here?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

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