2024-09-19 00:12:00Ashwagandha plant..... Ashton Pearce.
No wonder the names sounded so alike.......
Ashton stood in the silence of the lighthouse, the man’s final words still echoed repeatedly in his mind like a haunting melody or more like a broken record. His heart pounded against his chest, his mind reeled with the reality, of how real the revelation was.
The flower—the power it held—it was far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined. And now, it was his burden to bear. But there was something else gnawing at his insides, something darker. The mention of sacrifice—of a blood offering—chilled him to the core. How far was he willing to go? And who, or what, was he supposed to sacrifice?
The flower’s petal, it was still warm in his hand, it pulsed gently, as if it could sense his unease. He wanted to crush it, to destroy the source of all this madness, but he knew that wasn’t an option. Not when Elizabeth’
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The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce PRICE OF POWER
Ashton stood motionless in the darkness of the lighthouse, the silence felt so deafening around him. His mind raced with the thoughts of the stranger’s words, and the petal in his hand pulsed with a faint glow,there was an eerie reminder about the path he had just chosen. A life for power. The very idea gnawed at his conscience, unsettling him in ways he couldn't fully express. He knew now that whatever revenge he needed this was time to do it.He took a deep breath, his throat felt as dry as sandpaper. The stranger had vanished into the night, but the burden of his presence still made it feel as if he was there, it was heavy and so suffocating. Ashton needed answers, he badly needed guidance—but there was no one to turn to. He was all alone, and yet… not entirely though."Elizabeth," he muttered, his voice wasn't even that audible. The thought of her being somehow tie
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce SHADOWS OF UNKNOWN
The cold morning mist clung to the ground as Ashton made his way to Thomas’ apartment, his mind still racing with the events of the previous night. His hands tightened into fists at his sides, the memory of Elizabeth’s pleading eyes still burning into him. The flower’s glow pulsed faintly from within his pocket, an ever-present reminder of the grim path that lay before him.There’s got to be another way, he told himself for the hundredth time. There’s always another way.But despite his best efforts to convince himself, the dread was still there. Ashton wasn’t just up against some random mystical force—he was tangled in something ancient and far more powerful than he ever could have imagined. He needed help. And there was only one person who might understand the weight of this situation.Thomas.He quickened his pace, his shoes slapping against the wet pavement as the fog seemed to close in around him, as if the w
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce DARK PACTS ECHOING
Ashton leaned back in his chair, staring at the dimming light outside Thomas’ window. The books scattered across the table spoke of myths, prophecies, and sacrifices—each one more cryptic than the last. The weight of what was happening was crushing. The truth was sinking in.There really might be no way out.Thomas sat across from him, equally exhausted, his eyes bloodshot from hours of reading. The quiet between them had grown heavier, and Ashton could feel the tension building. He knew Thomas was waiting for him to say something, to offer a solution. But Ashton had nothing. Nothing but doubt and fear.Finally, Thomas broke the silence."You can’t be seriously thinking of going through with this, Ashton. You’re telling me that there’s no other way—no loophole, no tri
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce THE SACRIFICE
The silence in Thomas' study was quite a heavy one suffocating blanket, wrapping itself around Ashton as he tried to process what Thomas had just said. The idea, the possibility that the flower’s curse could be satisfied by his own sacrifice, sent some sort of a wave of cold dread rippling through him.Ashton stared at the table, his hands trembled as they resting over the pages of an old tome filled with cryptic inscriptions and faded ink. His mind swirled with questions, fears, and the weight of the choices laid before him.Thomas sat across from him, his arms crossed, his eyes serious."You don’t have to decide now," he said, his voice low but steady. "But we need to consider it. If there's a chance this curse can be broken without dragging someone else into it—without killing anyone you care about—then we need to at least explore it."Ashton clenched his fists, the roughness of the ancient paper brushing against his
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce THE MAKING OF SOMETHING NEW
It was all happening so fast, the events that led to the making of the alpha, I mean the official making of the alpha in the presence of the pack members. And by extension, the making of the new Luna and Beta. We were all summoned to the pack meeting ground to commence the ceremony officially. I watched Kaiden get unto the podium of the pack meeting ground and my heart couldn't grow any larger at the sight of my man. I watched him go and stand beside the pack Shaman who was facing the pack members. The pack Shaman turned and backed away from the pack and from Kaiden and I saw the way she began her incantations. She raised up her hand, stretching them straight into the air as she began to speak so incoherently to the skies. Her eyes were were open and looking towards the sky. Every of the pack members were eagerly watching her. We were all anticipating the word from the moon goddess. A sign that she was approved of the new Alpha. I watched while I prayed so desperately. I prayed tha
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce SEMI AWARES
I had sensed her presence way before she appeared in my line of sight. My werewolf instincts had picked up her scent the moment she was within a few miles of where I was sparring with the tree trunk. The fresh morning air had graciously carried her delicate fragrance to me. I was actually getting familiar with her scent, her mix of wildflowers and something uniquely hers. It was a scent that had become quite disturbingly familiar over the past few weeks. I couldn't stop it though. She was always everywhere, in the dinner room, at the corridors, at the stable, ah and last night, we were just so close to each other.I continued to pummel the tree trunk, and I continued to pretend to not have noticed her, while I enjoyed having her watch me. It was no longer difficult to act like I were oblivious to her presence; I'd become quite good at hiding and masking my true feelings. But I couldn't ignore the way her eyes remained on me, the intensity of it was hitting a spot in my heart
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce HAUNTED
Ashton spotted the deer, oblivious of my cunning approach, feeding very comfortably at the grasses. It was very far from it's home and family. Unknown to it, it was gonna be my special dinner tonight. I quietly advanced towards it, careful to not let my feet scrunch against any dead twigs to avert it's attention from it's merry lunch to my approach. Claws drawn and teeth bare, I was half transformed as I stepped quietly towards my prey.Steady.Quietly.Almost there. I steeled myself.Suddenly the rustling of bushes and the instant flight of a school of woodpeckers from a huge tree trunk diversed my attention as they made scurrying noises away from the tree, unintentionally, I stepped on a dry twig and it broke with a somewhat loud crack.Crap!I looked up at my prey to see that it was now staring directly at me. I was busted so I decided to go along with plan B. My sweet and assumedly spicy delicious dinner knew what was
The Unpredicted Ascendance Of Ashton Pearce A DREAM
Rebecca returned to the bustling hall and the man's stern gaze met hers. He gestured towards a distinguished guest, and my heart sank as I observed the well-built figure of the guy before me. His sharp features and piercing eyes marked him as a formidable werewolf, undoubtedly a fitting candidate for a future mate."Emma," my father announced, "meet Jude, the third son of the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. I believe you two have much to discuss." Father said giving me a look that spoke, mess this up and I won't forgive you.I approached Jude, trying to hide my reluctance behind a charming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jude."He nodded, acknowledging the formalities. "Likewise, Emma."As we exchanged pleasantries, I couldn't shake the feeling that our connection was destined to be more than just a courteous meeting. My father's eyes bore into mine, silently urging me to make a favorable impression.In an attempt to break the ice, I sh
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THE FALL OF REBECCA KNOWLES
The night was thick and the wind blew incessantly as Rebecca Knowles sat alone in her dark study. Her fingers drummed anxiously and noisily against the glass table as she mulled and thought over and over about the events of the past few weeks. She had played her hand well, or so she had thought. Manipulating Ashton and blackmailing him with Kelvin was one of her best plans in her grand scheme—everything had gone exactly as she planned. She let out a laughter at the thought. Soon and no one would hear anymore about the man, Ashton Pearce. He would be long gone, and so would his legacy. She was going to make sure of it. But right now, there was this unusual feeling of unease that was beginning to creep in. Things weren’t adding up. No doubt, Ashton had been far too calm lately, and she could feel something shifting beneath the surface, something she hadn’t accounted for. She hoped that it wasn't exactly what it was that she was thinking. As far as she knew, Ashton had asked to see Ke
A Web of Lies
Ashton paced the length of his living room, the dark light of the evening made out very long shadows against the walls. His mind raced as ge struggled to process the bombshell his informant had just dropped on him. For the last few weeks, Rebecca had held the upper hand, weaponizing that kid against him, threatening to take away the one thing he had vowed to protect above all else. But now, everything had shifted. The truth, as ugly as it was, lay before him. Kelvin wasn’t even his son.He grabbed his head as he felt the migraine come down on his oh so heavily. She was sick, Rebecca. His phone buzzed on the coffee table, and without hesitation, he grabbed it, his thumb hovered frantically over Thomas Gomez's contact. Ashton’s mind flashed back to their last conversation—the one where Thomas had warned him about Rebecca’s unpredictability. He was right, more than Ashton wanted to admit.Taking a deep breath, Ashton hit the call button. It rang twice before Thomas answered.“Gomez,”
The Unraveling Deceptions
Ashton had barely left the bar when his phone rang again. This time, it wasn’t Marco or Elizabeth—it was someone unexpected. He glanced at the screen and saw the name. A cold chill washed over him as he hesitated for a moment before answering.“Pearce,” the voice on the other end growled, low and menacing. It was Gregory, one of Rebecca’s most trusted associates and a man who had never hidden his disdain for Ashton. “We need to talk. Now.”Ashton’s hand tightened around his phone. “What do you want, Gregory?” he asked. “There’s no time for games. Meet me at the old pier in thirty minutes. Don’t be late.” The line went dead before Ashton could reply.A sense of unease settled over him. What could Gregory possibly want? He had never approached Ashton directly before, and the suddenness of the call reeked of desperation. Ashton wasn’t a fool—he knew he was walking into something dangerous. But if Gregory had information or was willing to talk, it was worth the risk.He texted Elizabeth
The Truth Unveiled
Ashton’s thoughts raced as he walked alongside Elizabeth, their footsteps echoed down the dimly lit streets. The weight of Rebecca’s threats still hung heavily in the air, but Elizabeth’s revelation about the mysterious meeting had lit a fire within him. He needed answers—and fast. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and when he saw the name on the screen, a flicker of hope stirred within him.It was his contact, the spy he had placed to gather intel on Rebecca."Ashton," the voice on the other end was low, cautious. "I’ve got something big. Meet me at the usual spot in an hour. You need to hear this in person." He said to him. Ashton nodded, though the man couldn’t see him. "I’ll be there." He said. Elizabeth looked at him questioningly, and Ashton explained, “It’s my guy. He has something—something important. This might be the break we need.” he said to her. Elizabeth nodded, her expression unreadable but supportive. "I’ll come with you." She said. They headed to the meeting plac
A Clash of Will
Ashton stood under the shower, the steam enveloped him like a shroud. The water cascaded down his body and it washed away the remnants of the earlier confrontation with Rebecca, but he knew the bitterness of her words lingered in his mind like a stain that wouldn't come out. He could hear her mocking laughter echoing in the recesses of his thoughts, taunting him with the possibility of losing everything he held dear, including his son and his job.His phone buzzed incessantly on the counter, jolting him from his thoughts. Elizabeth's name flashed on the screen, and he immediately felt a feeling of urgency mixed with dread. He had kept her in the dark about the fallout with Rebecca, not wanting to drag her into the chaos. But as he turned off the water and toweled himself off, he knew he couldn't hide from her forever.After pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a loose t-shirt, he picked up the phone and answered. “Hey, Liz." He said. “Ashton,” Elizabeth’s voice came through, steady a
The Countermove
Ashton leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking beneath him as he stared at the glowing screen of his phone. The fury that had once consumed him now simmered beneath a surface of determination. Rebecca had made her move, but he was ready to play the game on his own terms. He had to find a way to outsmart her—find a way to reclaim not just his son, but his entire life.He opened his contact list, scrolling through names until he landed on the one that stood out. A name he hadn’t thought he’d have to rely on again: Myles Jameson. They hadn’t spoken since their falling out over the rumors, but desperate times called for desperate measures.With a deep breath, he dialed Myles’ number, his heart racing as the line rang. He had no idea how Myles would react after everything that had happened, but he couldn’t let fear hold him back.The call connected, and after a few rings, Myles’ voice broke through. “Ashton? Is that you?” Myles asked. “Yeah, it’s me,” Ashton replied, trying to kee
The Fall Begins
Ashton Pearce paced back and forth in his apartment, his phone was clutched tightly in his hand as he paced. The walls felt like they were closing in on him, like they were going to suffocate him as the weight of his situation bore down on him. His career, his reputation—everything he had worked so hard for—was now on the line, and he knew exactly who was behind it. Rebecca.Why was she being this way ?Why did she had to be so cruel and evil to him?The sound of his phone dialing Rebecca’s number sent a jolt of fury through him. He'd had enough of her games. After about three rings, the line finally clicked open and her cool, composed voice greeted him.“Ashton,” Rebecca said, her tone was smooth. It was laced with a venomous sweetness that made his blood boil. “What a surprise.” She purred into the phone. “Cut the crap, Rebecca,” Ashton snapped at her, he was unable to keep the anger from his voice. “I want to see my son. Where’s Kelvin?” he demanded. Since she claimed he was h
The Tightens
Rebecca’s mind still buzzed endlessly with how intense and the discussions of her meeting she had with Miguel as the car cruised through the darkened city streets. She glanced out of the window, and watched the blurred lights as they passed, but her thoughts has already spinned ahead, she anticipated her next move. Miguel was a snake, she knew that much, but for now, he was her snake—one she could use to finally dismantle the Cooper empire alongside Ashton Pearce and claim her victory.But as much as she felt in control, there was a gnawing voice in the back of her mind. Was she truly prepared for what working with Miguel would entail? She knew that she wasn’t naive. Miguel played by his own rules, and while he may have agreed to their alliance, she knew trust was a fragile thing in their world. Still, the adrenaline that coarsed through her vein was undeniable. The rush of power, the thrill of knowing she was about to topple giants—it was almost addictive. Myles wouldn’t underst
Dangerous Alliance
Rebecca stepped out of the sleek black car, the hum of the city faded as she stood before the entrance to Miguel’s exclusive club, the same one she had been to with Myles but tonight, let's just say she was doing things in her own terms and by that, going with Myles was too much crowd. The neon lights flickered above the doorway, it illuminated an eerie glow on the street. Tonight was different—tonight, she had come alone.Myles had no idea about her plan, and she oh so discreetly intended to keep it that way. This was her decision, her strategy to forge a new alliance and take control of the situation. Myles could be too cautious, too predictable. But Rebecca knew that if they were going to bring down the Coopers, they needed someone ruthless, someone like Miguel.Not that she hadn't slandered him behind his back, but he mustn't know about that. She was dressed to kill, she wore a dark emerald dress that hugged her frame, it exuded power and confidence. Her heels clicked against the
