Elena’s POV
The next morning arrived with the familiar routine of breakfast at our regular hour, followed by Corbin’s announcent that we were all expected in the shooting gallery.
Asher and I found ourselves walking at the back of the group, maintaining careful distance between us. Public displays of affection were strictly forbidden here, one of the most rigid regulations we had to follow.
"How old are you, exactly?" I found myself asking as we trailed behind the others.
"Nineteen," he replied simply.
"Really? I would have guessed older." The admission slipped out before I could stop it.
"My build throws people off. Everyone assus I’m older than I actually am. What about you?" His question ca with genuine curiosity.
"Nearly seventeen," I answered.
"When do you turn seventeen?" he pressed, and I felt myself pause, uncertain how to respond.
"I honestly don’t know my actual birthday. The people who raised in my early years never told before they shipped off to that facility. I spent most of my childhood there, and birthdays weren’t exactly celebrated. So the date remains a mystery." The explanation felt heavier than I intended.
"What happened to your birth parents?" His voice carried a gentleness I wasn’t accustod to.
"I never t them. All I was ever told was that soone abandoned at a fire station." The words ca out flat, matter-of-fact.
Asher’s attention was completely focused on , hanging on every word I spoke. I had never experienced that level of genuine interest from anyone before.
When we reached the shooting range, Nico and Koa were called first, leaving Asher and to wait in the quieter office area. We both welcod the reprieve from the noise.
"What was it really like growing up on that military compound?" he asked once we were settled.
"Not nearly as glamorous as people imagine. My earliest mories involve combat training sessions. I took quite a beating on a regular basis," I said, trying to keep my tone light.
"Who was training you?" His brow furrowed with concern.
"The drill instructor. He never showed any rcy, regardless of my age. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. It shaped into a capable soldier." I shrugged, attempting to downplay the harsh reality.
"But you were never given the opportunity to choose a different path. Doesn’t that anger you at all?" His question caught off guard.
"To be completely honest, I’ve never really considered it. Being a Hunter is my entire identity, the only life I’ve ever been prepared for," I admitted.
"There’s an entire world beyond this that you’ve never experienced," he said softly.
"I can’t argue with that," I conceded.
"Good," he said with satisfaction.
"Can I ask you sothing?" I ventured, and he nodded expectantly. "What’s that scent you always have? It’s distinctive, but I can’t quite identify it."
His laughter was imdiate and warm. "I don’t use any cologne."
"Seriously? That’s just your natural scent? Well, it’s actually quite appealing," I said, feeling heat rise in my cheeks as I looked away.
He didn’t respond verbally, but I could sense his amusent. The embarrassnt was imdiate and intense. Why had I even asked such a personal question? I needed to learn better self-control.
"Does anyone ever break curfew around here?" Asher asked, changing the subject.
"Not that I’m aware of. I haven’t been here long enough to know for certain," I replied.
"Well then, I suppose we’ll have to find out for ourselves," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I assud he was joking, but that night, around midnight, I woke to find Asher standing beside my bunk.
"Ti to go," he whispered.
"You’re actually serious about this?" I whispered back in disbelief.
"Absolutely. Why wouldn’t I be?" he challenged softly.
After a mont of consideration, I found myself smiling and reaching for my boots.
We slipped out of the barracks quietly, and once we were outside, Asher took my hand and we began running across the open field. My heart pounded with worry that the guards would spot us.
Asher assured he had already scouted the area and identified safe passage routes. His confidence was reassuring as we reached the periter fence.
He had discovered a breach in the fencing and held it open for to crawl through. Once we were both clear of the base, he grabbed my hand again and we sprinted directly into the dense forest that surrounded the facility.
"Where exactly are we heading?" I asked, slightly breathless.
"There’s a spot I found not far from here," Asher assured .
"You’re not planning to murder out here, are you?" I teased, and his chuckle was imdiate.
"I promise that’s not my intention," he said.
We erged into a small forest clearing where moonlight stread down through the canopy above. The space was intimate and serene, with just enough open sky visible to showcase the stars.
The moonlight illuminated the entire clearing, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
I walked to the center and tilted my head back, slowly spinning as I gazed up at the celestial display above.
When I looked back, Asher was leaning against a tree trunk, watching with obvious contentnt.
"Everyone thinks my obsession with the moon is strange," I said.
"Why would they think that?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Because apparently werewolves have so connection to moon worship or sothing similar," I explained.
He moved closer and looked up at the night sky alongside .
"They don’t worship the moon itself. They revere the Peak Goddess, the deity who created their entire species," Asher corrected gently.
"A Peak Goddess. That’s actually fascinating. Most religions focus on male deities. Female goddesses are much less common," I mused.
"It is quite fascinating," he agreed.
I gazed upward again, completely captivated by the beauty and tranquility surrounding us.
"This is absolutely breathtaking," I whispered.
"I know," Asher said softly.
When I looked back at him, he was standing directly in front of , his eyes fixed on my face rather than the sky above.
My heart began racing and butterflies erupted in my stomach when I realized his comnt had been about , not the scenery.
He reached forward and took both my hands, intertwining our fingers. I looked up to et his gaze.
He stepped closer, eliminating the space between us, then slowly leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss felt electric, like destiny unfolding, as if we were ant to find each other.
In that mont, I felt certain I had found the person I wanted to spend my entire life with.
How could such intense feelings develop after only days together and one kiss? I was being a ridiculous, hormone-driven teenager, getting way ahead of myself. I genuinely cared for him and needed to be cautious with my words and actions. I didn’t want to frighten him away or appear desperate for affection.
But the feelings were undeniable and overwhelming, and I never wanted this mont to end.
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