~Alaya
I’m still not sure about anyone in the room.
Myle’s offered us both dinner, but Aspen was the only one to accept. Right now, I don’t think I would be able to stomach anything. Dawn seems kind enough, however, just the look of Coen makes me nervous. It makes sense that he is related to Kaden by how close their resemblance is.
It’s just the looks he gives me from across the room. There is something about him that I don’t like. I just can’t put my finger on it.
“Tomorrow, we can talk about what everyone’s plans are,” Myle’s says, emerging from the corridor as Aspen just finishes what he was eating. “You both have been through enough. You need some rest.”
Glancing at Aspen to make sure he was okay with this proposal, I take the blankets.
Turns out, one of us was to take a bed and the other a couch. After a lot of argument and stubborn attitude, Aspen took the bed. I wasn’t about to let him sleep on the couch right now. He’s wanted, and not alive either, so he’s going to need all the energy he can get tomorrow, when we make another run for it.
At some point in the middle of the night, I began to regret everything.
My back ached from some unsourceable lump on the couch, and the moonlight through the curtainless window couldn’t be anymore distracting. With everyone in the house still, I started to overthink these facts more – even the heat of the room – until I stood and walked to the window, heaving it open.
It is beautiful here, even though it’s just trees and grass. Something about the seclusion is so peaceful and untouchable, as if the trees are an impenetrable fortress.
There are no real thoughts in my mind as I clamber out the window.
It’s cool here, in Time’s territory. I’m not sure how climates work in the immortal lands, without any magic to keep the place warm without the sun. Here though, the cold seems more brittle, raising gooseflesh on my arms as I step out into the grass. As I breathe deeply, it does everything to clear my mind of all my problems right now.
I take a few steps into the silken grass before I collapse down on it. Despite the cold, I could almost fall asleep on this bed of softness.
Short, huffed breath jerks me back up to sitting position.
I could see his eyes before anything, glinting through the shadows that consume the edge of the trees. Brilliant, molten gold. Then I see his body, as he leans against a close by tree, the muscular slopes of his arms glistening with a slight sheen of sweat. Another slight detail I couldn’t help but notice was his complete and utter nakedness.
I close my eyes, unsure of how to react. The streak of fear I got from the first moment I met his eyes, is slowly fading. Now, I’m left feeling empty, as if I’ve lost every motive that I once had.
There’s sadness there too. For Aspen.
We both just watch each other for a moment. There is no way I could escape and save Aspen at the same time. I’m trapped under the magic of that golden gaze, that does not hold the intention of letting up. I do, however, ensure my gaze is safely away from any incriminating part of him. He’s just shifted. At least I hope that explains his bareness.
“How did you find me?” I ask softly, turning my gaze down to my fingers knotted together in front of me. There’s no use arguing with him right now. I just want to know how he has come to stand in this clearly I thought I could trust.
“You’re my mate,” he comments, “did you really think I wouldn’t find you? No matter where you are in this Pack Quarter, I was always find you.”
I exhale slowly, unable to comprehend any words that would suffice in this situation.
He turns and disappears into the depths of the forest, and for a moment, I assume he is just going to leave and never come back. Of course, that is a foolish notion to suggest, as he wander back into the clearly, this time wearing pants. I’m relieved he brought some with him on his travels.
“I know why you ran from me.”
I roll my eyes.
“If I were you, I would to,” he continues, “however, I had to find you, for the betterment of everyone in this situation. At least let me explain to you what has happened before you assume the worst,” Asher says gently, taking slow steps toward me. Clearly he’s worried about my reaction; about it being too late to change my mind on this.
My arms fold over my chest as he walks even closer, to the point he is right beside me, sitting down on the grass next to me. He keeps enough distance for me to not be mortified. Good.
“You are going to kill Aspen with a horrific excuse. I don’t know what you could say that would change that,” I mutter, looking off toward the Moon.
Where Aspen’s soul will go when Sinful crushes it.
“There is more to it,” he breathes. “I was having him brought back and sent somewhere safe, where Fate would never find him.”
My eyes narrow. “Where would that be?”
“The mortal lands, to the Harmony Pack. Alpha Noah has kept a spell on it to keep all immortals out, so Fate can’t get in. Neither can Sinful. None of them can get rid of the spell as they can’t get to Noah, who resides deep in the middle of the magic,” Asher explains, winding grass around his fingers to pick at it.
I haven’t heard much about the Harmony Pack as whoever goes in, never wants to go out. People speculate why people like the place so much.
I guess the answer is magic.
“So you’re killing him to scare Fate off,” I say, speaking my thoughts aloud. “Does Fate know Aspen isn’t your real brother?”
“No, he isn’t aware. That was the point. This entire plan has just been a distraction for everyone involved. If anyone even thought about this plan, then it would be ruined,” Asher explains, letting the grass from his hand flutter back down to earth again.
“All to get Fate to stop harnessing Sinful?” I question into the air, wishing I was up there on the Moon myself. “Why are you so obsessed with Sinful?”
Asher scoffs. “I wouldn’t call it an obsession. Sinful isn’t a good guy, of course, but I guess you could say that’s what I like about him.”
“Do you like the fact that he manipulated me into sleeping with him?”
A different kind of coldness settles over us. This is brittle and icy. I refuse to let my mind wander back to that night, where Sinful got into my head, and altered my thoughts beyond belief. As far as I’m aware, Asher didn’t want it to happen, referring back to his expression when I first told him.
Yet somehow… Just thinking about it makes me feel ill.
He leans on his side to properly face me, his eyes blazing angrily. “I won’t let that pass, ever. I’ve already spoken to him, but if you even say the word, I will take action.”
“It’s not as if I didn’t want it,” I sigh, my gaze fluttering away from his.
I’m not sure why I’m so calm right now as Asher reaches out, slightly grass stained fingers brushing against my cheek. I start slightly at that feeling. Even if I wanted to, there’s no excusing the mate bond. Why did I have to be paired with one of the most problematic males in both the mortal and immortal lands.
“I’m sorry for being so cold to you this entire time,” he breathes, while I shiver at his light touch he moves down my neck. “I wanted to protect you. I always wanted to protect you.”
I swallow, seeing nothing but painful honesty in his eyes, as he struggles to explain himself to me. Without even thinking, I grab his hand, holding is gently against my face. There are so many words my mind presses me to speak, but I can’t open my mouth.
Asher doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, he rolls over, leaning over me. My breath hitches, as I stare up at my mate, his darkened hair tinted by the moonlight. He is breathtakingly beautiful, which doesn’t help my situation. At the same time, I can’t find any reason not to believe him after his explanation of everything.
“I’ll never forgive myself for what I’ve put you through,” Asher murmurs, leaning down close to my ear, stealing those golden eyes from my gaze. “I want to take you home.”
At that moment, I nearly begged him to, however, he stole my words with a kiss.
I’ll never not enjoy kissing him. His lips. His everything. I’m making that vow now, as I spin my fingers into his hair, feeling one of his hands press tightly against my side, while the other keeps him above me.
I ignore the hard ground underneath me, instead concentrating on how skilfully he moves his lips, drawing back slightly only to come right back, leaving me breathless and completely at his mercy.
As he pulls away, he doesn’t stop, and I don’t expect him to.
He lays between my slightly propped open legs, pinning me down by my hips, while his hands do work to slide under my shirt. His confidence is rubbing off on me, as my hands move down his back, admiring the feeling of every muscle, tense as he holds himself up.
“Asher,” I whisper huskily, my breath struggling to come back. “Don’t you think right here isn’t a very good idea?”
With his lips against my neck, he only mumbles his disagreement. I dig the tips of my fingers into his back.
“What do you want?” He asks, glancing up at me for only a second before he moves back to my neck, drawing out as much pleasure as possible. “Right here? Right now?”
What do I want? I have no idea.
“Do you want me? As your mate?” He asks, the tips of his fingers drawing against my stomach, arching my back off the ground.
At that moment, I had no idea what he meant. All I knew is that I wanted him right here, right now. My mentality is completely shrouded by list, which is his doing.
So when I nod, I didn’t expect it.
He kisses me once more on my neck, before I feel the burning pain of teeth in my neck.
He marked me.