CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
ASTRID’S POV
After training today, I went straight into my bedroom purposely to avoid Freya. She doesn’t mean well for me and I don’t want to get in contact with her anytime soon.
It’s almost time for dinner and today, I don’t intend to go down to the diner. I don’t want to cause any more conflict between Alpha Asher and his fiance and I intend to avoid them both as much as I can.
I walk over to the bookshelves and take out a novel, titled “Jane Eyre”. I started reading it the night before and it’s so good. I need to continue tonight.
Way back at the blackwood pack, I always stole books from Freya’s library and took to my room to read and she never even noticed because she hated studying. She home schooled and her results were never encouraging at all.
Such a waste of privilege.
I walk over to the bed and take a comfortable position as I start flipping the pages of the book to locate the page where I stopped and when I find it, I take off.
As I commence, there’s a gentle knock at the door and when I signal whoever it is to come in, Alpha Asher pokes his head in and immediately, I hide the book under my pillow, and jump down from the bed. He walks into the bedroom, closing the door behind him and my heart starts racing. As he walks closer to me, his richly manly cologne fills my nostrils and I secretly inhale deeply to get more of it. He looks so fresh and I can bet on my life that he just had his bath. His intoxicating smell fills the entire atmosphere and right now, I can hardly think straight.
Why does he affect me so much?
“Good evening to you, Alpha Asher” I greet politely, but he doesn’t say a word. He silently walks past me, over to the bed and I die five times in the second when he lifts up the pillow I hide the book beneath and picks up the book. I bite my lips and bow my head in disappointment.
Did he really have to do that?
“I… I can explain…” I defend as I walk towards him.
“There’s nothing to explain Astrid. I didn’t know you liked to read”
“Uh… yeah, I do. You know, I never really got the opportunity to get a proper education like others, so in order for me to keep up, I had to steal books from time to time to read ” I explain enthusiastically and he nods his head.
“That’s quite impressive, you are a great fighter and I like that”
“Thank you, Alpha Asher”
“Come with me” He instructs as he hands the book to me and starts walking out of the bedroom before I can utter a word. I throw the book on the bed and scurry after him, wondering where he could be taking me to. We both walk silently across the corridor and soon, he stops before a room door and opens it up with a key.
“Which room is this?”
“Just come with me” He says with a smile and walks into the room. I reluctantly follow him inside and I’m mesmerized by what I see. The room is a full-fleshed bedroom and it is larger than any bedroom I have seen in my life.
The theme clours of the room were black and white. From the drapes to the chairs to the sheets on the bed and then the carpet, all had a mixture of black and white and it all looked aesthetic.
I could bet on my life that the big drapes hanging on the windows cost a fortune, same as the couches and carpet. Everything in here screams wealth and I can’t help but wonder just how rich this pack is.
Damn!
“Wow! This bedroom is magnificent” I compliment as I gazearound with my mouth and eyes wide open.
Never have I ever seen a room look so aesthetic, yet so beautiful.
It’s unique and I wonder to whom it belongs to.
“Thank you” He says with a proud smile
“Whose bedroom is it?” I ask looking up at him.
“Mine” He replies and my brows rise in surprise.
“How is that possible? I thought your room is that which you and Freya share”
“Astrid, I am a very reserved person and I don’t just let any kind of person get into my personal space”
“I don’t think I understand what you mean by that”
“Just, never mind. But, like I said, this is my real bedroom
“So, why isn’t Freya here instaed? She’s your finace, isn’t she?”
“I haven’t even put a ring on her finger yet. This whole engagement is a sham and I don’t want you to think about it.”
“Oh, okay. I won’t”
“Good. Follow me” He instructs and I follow him yet again into another room and I’m fascinated by what I see. It’s actually a library and it has got shelves all occupied with books.
I turn abruptly to look at him and he’s smiling down at me.
“I’m short of words, Alpha Asher. This is magnificent” I say as I rush over to a shelve and sart trailing my fingers over the books. las I read their titles in my mind.
If I ever owned a library like this, no one will have to see me outside. I would drown myself in bokks upon books everyday till my barin can no longer hold in any more knowledge.
“I’ve never met anyone so excited to see books like you”
“Well, what can I say? It has always been my dream to study, but I never got the opportunity. Now I can’t help but get excited to see a library as grand as this.”
“So, you like studying?”
“Very much!”
“That means you won’t mind if I get you enrolled in the pack school?”
“You would do that for me?” I ask opening my eye wide in surprise and he nods his head. Without warning, I crash into his arms and give him a very rowdy hug. He just stands still, probably shocked by my audacity and nerved by my naivity. I quickly disengage myself from the hug and take a few steps backwards, distancing myself from him with my head bowed down.
I just hugged an Alpha.
How careless of me.
“I’m sorry. I… I just got carried away. I’m really sorry”
“It’s fine Astrid. I understand.” I nod silently as I resume admiring the books and smiling foolishly. “Have this”
I turn to face him and find him stretching his hand towards me with a key in it.
“What’s that?”
“The spare key to this room. You can come in here and read during your free time”
“You want me to come into your bedroom and study during my free time?”
“I believe that’s what I said Astrid”
“I… I don’t even know what to say”
“Don’t say anything, just promise me you won’t let anyone else in here. This is my secret ground, only the people who are important to me get to come in here” He explains and I playfully tilt my head to the side and give him a suspicious look”
“Are you saying I’m important to you?” I ask playfully and he smiles as he walks closer to me.
“You have no idea how important you are to me, Astrid. You have no idea”
I look up at him quietly and the suspicious look on my face is replaced with a confused look.
I’m just a stranger to him, why then does he care for me.
Ever since I got in here, he has been very protective of me and he has shown me nothing but kindness.
What did I do to deserve his kindness?
“I … I…”
“Just take your time and study.” He cuts me off as he walks to the door. “Next time don’t try to hide your book from me” Then he exits the bedroom.
I let out a heavy sigh I didn’t even know I was holding and make my way back into the bedroom.
I look at the king-sized bed sited at the center of the bedroom and my legs carry me over to it before my mind can protest against the idea. That bed looks so comfortable and I will die if I don’t sit on it. It is dressed with black and white sheets and big black duvet over it and looks very inviting. I carefully lower myself to bed and make a few and make myself comfortable on it.
I can only imagine how good it feels to sleep on this bed all night, together with Alpha Asher.
Damn, if that ever happens, I would blush till my cheeks explode and my heart will definitely jump out of my chest.
Alpha Asher doing all these things only makes me fall deeper in love with him as the days go by even if I don’t want to. He’s too sweet, too kind and the fact that he comes into my bedroom everyday only makes me fantasize the more.
I wonder what the future holds for. me when it comes to love.
Will I ever find a man who will love me?
Will I ever get married and have children of my own.
If I will, I hope it gets to be with someone who loves me.