33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
ASTRID’S POV
My entire body has been feeling giddy all morning. After the very calm and sweet conversation with Alpha Asher, I have never felt so happy in a long time. He asked me to get ready for training and I have done just that.
A while ago, a maid brought me a few clothes and surprisingly, she was very nice to me. The clothes, which were a pair of black army jeans and pink t-shirt fit me perfectly and the very cool pair of Snickers on my feet makes me want to scream.
It’s been a while since I wore something so nice. I walk over to the mirror stand where I tie my hair up in a messy bun and admire myself in the mirror.
I’m pretty and I know that all too well.
Back at the Black Wood Pack where I used to work as a servant, at least two people told me everyday that I was the definition of perfection, despite the fact that I never wore fancy clothes.
Well, what can I say? My mother was a stunning woman and my father used to be the most handsome man alive, it’s only normal that I got their perfect genes.
I let out a proud smile as I sit on the chair before the mirror.
I can’t wait to start with my training, going to learn as much as I can so I can become powerful.
My father must be choking in his grave right now because of how weak I have turned out to be. When he was alive and still Alpha, he always told me how proud he was of me and that he knew I would make a great Alpha someday. I remember smiling at him and proudly saying I won’t let him down, but right now, I don’t think I can say that to his face again.
But, there’s hope. I will take this opportunity to train myself and become a strong Alpha, I will even go as far as defeating that treacherous tyrant called Adolph and I will reclaim what’s rightfully mine. I won’t back down without a fight!
“A penny for your thoughts Astrid” A deep familiar voice speaks from behind, caused me to jolt on my seat in fear. I swiftly turn around to see who it is and I almost blush to death when I see Alpha Asher standing behind me, with a very hot smirk plastered at the side of his lips.
I was so lot in thought that I didn’t hear him come in.
Oh my Goodness! For how long has he been standing here?
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer” He says with a wink and I tear my eyes off him and plaster them to the floor. I bite my lips and shake my head as I feel my heart pounding in my chest like I just received shocking news.
The things he does to my body without even realizing it.
“He… llo. He… llo A… lpha” Now I’m a blabbering mess!
Just great!
Well done Astrid.
“Hello to you too Astrid, I can see you are all set for your training.” He notes and I lift my head up to look at him and the moment eyes meet with his brown eyes, all the butterflies in my stomach rise and I start breathing abnormally again.
My gaze drowns in his and he doesn’t seem to want to let go.
I almost die of shock when he inches closer to the chair I’m currently seated on and I die five times in the second when he stretches his hand out for me to take.
I look at his hand and then at his face.
I repeat the process countless times and he smiles.
“You don’t have to be so dramatic about it. Just take my hand, I promise I won’t bite” He urges and I reluctantly stretch my hand forward and place into his big, beautiful palms. He gently closes up my hand in his and gestures me to rise up from my seat, which I do with a million thoughts floating on my mind.
Once I rise up, my breath hitches when he wraps a protective arm around my waist and gently pulls me closer to him. I give him a shocking gaze and I get all the more confused when he smiles sweetly at me.
I am tempted to like what is happening, but I know this is wrong and the moment Freya walks in here and sees us in this position, she will summon the wrath of hell to fall on me.
I try to step away from his domineering closeness, but he is smart enough to hold me back in place just as I’m about to sneak out.
“Alpha Asher…” I call out and my voice comes out as nothing less than a pathetic whimper.
May the moon goddess have mercy.
“Astrid” He calls quietly and I look up at him, and this time around, I’m not scared to look into his eyes. I notice that his brown eyes now have a dark shade, somewhere between chocolate and brown and there are so many emotions swimming in them. He’s looking at me like he found something fascinating about me, but I highly doubt that’s the case, there’s nothing fascinating about me.
“Astrid” He calls yet again, like the name entertains him and he calls it like no other.
“Alpha Asher” I answer in almost a whisper.
“What are you doing to me?” He asks with a hushed voice and I give him a confused gaze.
What does he mean by that?
“Alpha, I don’t think I understand what you mean by that”
He looks at me long and hard and that causes me to swallow dryly.
First things first, the fact that I’m standing so close to a man, with our bodies actually brushing against each other’s is enough to put my entire body on fire.
Secondly, that man is no ordinary man, he’s an Alpha. That fact alone hinders me from breathing properly.
And lastly, the fact that I have a very fat crush on him my makes my heart summersault a million times in a second. His rich manly cologne fills my nostrils and does justice to my reasoning faculty when it gets to my head.
I’m high.
I’m totally high right now and if this man does not release me this minute, I will do something crazy.
With my unanswered question still flying in the air, Alpha Asher slowly, carefully, leans closer to me and plants a soft kiss on my forehead and smiles.
I look up at him utterly shocked, but he doesn’t say a word.
He just smiles harder as he releases my waist and walks towards the door.
“Rowan can’t wait meet you” He announces and leaves.
Seriously?
“Rowan can’t wait to you?” That’s he could day after giving me that very passionate kiss on my forehead?
After raiding my mind the way he did.
That was so unfair!
Justice for my poor heart.
We both walk quietly to training ground where we meet two people, a boy and a girl engaged in a physical duel. The guy keeps throwing heavy punches, but the girl is swift enough to dodge them.
Fascinating!
It’s going to take a while before I learn to throw a punch, not to talk of dodging one.
“When they both see us approaching, they stop fighting much to my disappointment and rush over to us.
I would have really loved to watch them fight some more. They are so good.
“And finally, he let’s her out!” The girls sings as she stands before Alpha Asher carelessly and that takes me off guard. She must be really close to him to have the courage to act so carefree around him.
He is an Alpha for goodness sake.
“I told you I was going to let her out someday” Asher replies and I can tell he is not offended by the fact that she is acting so informally before him, then it strikes me.
I look at the three of them and the striking resemblance makes my heart skip a beat. Same thick, black hair and coffee brown eyes.
They must be siblings and I’m guessing the guy is Rowan.
He’s quite an eye candy, just like his brother and for their sister, never have seen a girl loom so fit and delicate at the same time. She is pure gem!
“Astrid, meet my siblings, Arya and Rowan. Arya, Rowan, meet Astrid, the rightful Alpha of the Black Wood Pack” He introduces and I smile as a take a step closer to the two siblings who seem very pleased to see me.
“Nice to meet you both, Arya, Rowan”
“Nice to meet you too, Astrid. My brother here has told us a lot about…” Her statement is cut short by a very loud, disturbing sound of Alpha Asher clearing his throat, but I understand he just doesn’t want her to talk out it.
But, why?
“Astrid, Rowan here will be taking you for your training. I will come from to time to assist, so, do not disappoint me”
“I won’t”
“I’m gonna take your word for it. You two commence with your training and for you Arya, I need you to come with me”
“Cone on! You always make leave when the most interesting part starts” She grumbles in annoyance and Alpha Asher just smiles as he winks at her and walks away. Arya angrily follows him behind, wiggling her body and grumbling some more.
They are such adorable siblings.
“So! Astrid, or shall I say, Alpha Astrid?”
“No, Astrid will do”
“Cool. Astrid, nice to finally meet you”
“Same here, Rowan”
“So, have you had any training experience before?”
“Nope”
“Not even the basics? Like ducking, throwing a punch, dodging a punch…”
“Nope” I say popping the “p” and he let’s out an exasperated sigh as he covers his face with his palms.
We both stand in silence for a whole lot of seconds and I just keep staring at him blankly, wondering what could be running on his mind.
Is he that disappointed?
He finally looks up at me and sighs once more.
“He always gives me the most difficult tasks” He Laments in a frustrated tone and I bow down my head in guilt and play with my fingers.
“I’m sorry” I whisper.
“It’s okay. I’m used to this. I just need to be very careful because the least accident with you with cost me a lot. I’m gonna get punished if you get badly injured”
“I don’t think Alpha Asher would do that”
“Why do you say so?” He asks with a raised brow and I shrug my shoulders.
“Well, I don’t really know, but I don’t think he will have you punished if I get an injury, that would just be a case of occupational hazard” I explain and he snorts.
“Indeed. Honey, it’s like you have no idea what you mean to my brother”
“Huh?” I ask confused and he gives me a long stare and suddenly smiles.
“I’m not going to interfere. I’ll leave you two to work it out on your own. For now, let’s commence”
He gestures me to follow him and I silently do, but I can’t get what he just said off my mind.
What does he not want to interfere in and what do I have to work out with Alpha Asher?