Alethea
He stares at me with a smile. “No, Ally, I haven’t hit my head,” he says gently. “You seem to have mastered the act of building walls around your emotions.”
I stare at him in awe and disbelief. Are we seriously having a conversation right now? Sitting down and talking like two mature adults?
This must be a dream, one I’m not sure I want to wake up from. “T… thanks,” I mutter under my breath, barely able to process his words.
“Alpha Asher, I should go,” I say quietly, trying to put some distance between us. “I don’t want to be the center of gossip in your pack.” I pull the hem of the oversized shirt down, hoping it makes me feel more presentable.
I take slow steps, I inch toward the door, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
I can feel his gaze on me, every fiber of my being screaming at me to turn back, but I resist. I can’t allow myself to fall deeper into this.
“Wait,” his voice calls out, firm yet gentle. I hear him move closer. “Stay, just for a while, until you’re completely out of heat. Because I will rip the head off any wolf who dares to lust after you,” he says, in a possessive and protective tone.
He lifts his hand to my cheek again, and the familiar sparks and electric sensations course through me, making me shudder. I meet his eyes, unable to look away, lost in the depth of his gaze.
What we shared last night was intense, leaving a mark on me that I can’t deny. Every move, every touch, and the way he hit all the right spots linger in my mind.
I close my eyes, trying to resist the tempting thoughts swirling in my head, refusing to give in to the overwhelming pull of our bond.
It’s impossible not to be drawn to Alpha Asher when he’s so close. My instincts scream at me to bridge the distance, to bring him to his knees and take him in ways that would satisfy the craving deep within me.
Damn, this stupid bond.
“Are you done?” His voice breaks through my thoughts, with a teasing tone and a knowing smile.
I slowly open my eyes and lift them to his face. “Done with what?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Thinking so hard about staying and doing those naughty things with me. I don’t mind. I’m always at your service,” he says with a smirk, his hand resting on the wall just above my head, trapping me in the intoxicating space between us.
My hand instinctively moves to my chest, feeling my heart pounding loudly, my cheeks heating as a blush creeps up. His words, laced with that cocky confidence, only make it harder to resist him.
I know I should hate him for what he did, for rejecting me, but part of me begins to understand that there might be more at stake than I ever realized. Despite everything, there’s a flash of hope that maybe, just maybe, this isn’t the end for us.
I slowly shake my head, dismissing the hopeful thought. Real men fight for their mates, claiming them despite the circumstances. I need to remember that.
“Stay, Ally,” he says softly, his eyes searching mine. “I’ll send Liam to get you whatever you need to continue your work from here.”
I shake my head again, more firmly this time. “I’ll go to my room and work from there. I promise I won’t come out. Kayla will help with anything I need. I’m sure of that.” My voice carries a finality that I hope he respects, even as my heart contradicts my words, longing for more of him.
“If you insist,” he says, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “I’m sure you’re just scared someone might see you with me, but it’s fine.”
His hand comes down to my face, gently caressing my cheek as his eyes dart between mine and my lips. I can see the desire burning in them, a longing he’s been holding back since our eyes first met.
And for fuck’s sake, I want it too.
Before I can overthink it, I lean in, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet, and it’s as if we’ve both been waiting for this moment for far too long.
The instant connection makes him growl low in his throat, a sound that sends shivers down my spine.
We move in perfect sync, our mouths exploring each other with an intensity that’s both fierce and desperate.
His hand slides to the back of my neck, gripping firmly as he pulls me closer, deepening the kiss.
There’s nothing gentle about it-it’s possessive, raw, and filled with unspoken words that his pride would never let him say.
I push my hands against his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath as I grip his shirt, tugging him closer, needing him closer.
My fingers roam over his body, memorizing every ridge, every line. His hands move with purpose, one sliding down to my breast.
The realization that I’m not wearing a bra makes me gasp softly, and he takes advantage of the moment, squeezing me roughly, claiming me in a way that leaves no doubt about what he wants.
And I want it too-every single part of it.
There’s a fire between us, one that has been smoldering for far too long, yet we’ve both ignored it.
My body screams for him, yearning in a way I can’t fully understand or explain. It’s primal, desperate, and unrelenting, and no matter how hard I try to fight it, I can’t push it away.
I should push him away. I know that. He has Maya, and yet, I’m his mate. But it doesn’t feel like it.
I wonder if this will be it for me if I’ll just become another shadow in his life. A mistress, something he visits when the bond pulls him to me but later leaves me behind.
The thoughts swirl in my head, but I can’t stop myself from continuing the kiss, even though there’s a part of me that feels like I’m betraying myself.
This kiss isn’t just hunger; it’s fierce, full of frustration and anger. I’m angry at him, at myself, at the entire situation.
I’m selfish. I want him all for myself. I don’t want to be the woman on the side. The thought of him with Maya, of him choosing her over me, cuts deeper than I care to admit.
Is it too much to ask for him to truly choose me? To pamper me, to cherish me? To make me feel like more than just a passing moment? These thoughts tangle with my emotions, pulling me in different directions.
With every ounce of strength I can muster, I push against his chest, slowly forcing myself away from him, my hand trembling as I break the kiss.
My breath is ragged, my heart pounding, but it’s the only thing I can do to escape the intensity of what’s happening between us.
I need space and time to think because I can’t let myself lose control again, not when everything feels so tangled and uncertain.
“What the hell, Ally?” he growls, his deep, menacing voice sending chills down my spine. His chest rises and falls heavily with each breath, and his powerful frame moves toward me.
His eyes are stormy, filled with a whirlwind of emotions, anger, pain, and desire, and I can’t tell which will take over.
My heart pounds in fear, my mind racing with the consequences of pushing him to this edge.
“Stay away from me,” I manage to whisper, though my voice trembles with uncertainty.
But before I can blink, I’m slammed onto the bed. The air rushes out of my lungs as I gasp, shocked at how quickly he moves.
One moment he’s across the room, and the next, he’s pinning me beneath him.
He hovers over me, with his body radiating heat. I can feel him strongly against me.
The sensation stirs up desires I thought I could suppress. This is the moment I’ve secretly pictured so many times, craving him in ways I can’t explain.
But nothing could have prepared me for the emotional chaos that comes with it.
No. I can’t give in. I won’t. He’s hurt me too deeply, broken me in ways I’m not sure I can ever mend. My mind flashes back to all the pain he’s caused.
“Stay the fuck away from me!” I snarl, with a raw fierce voice surprising even myself.
Alpha Asher freezes, his intense gaze locked on mine.