Alethea
I curl up on the cold floor of the room I’ve been thrown into, my body trembles with everything that’s happened.
Tears stream down my face, and I can’t stop them, no matter how hard I try. The fear, the anger, the hopelessness-all of it suffocating me.
I know I’ve made enemies. I know beating the Luna, their precious Maya, into a pulp would have consequences.
It must have triggered Liam’s anger, seeing the way he treated me.
But for fuck’s sake, she deserved every punch. Every single one. She’s done far worse.
As my tears dry up, I slowly take in my surroundings.
This isn’t a dungeon, not what I expected when Alpha Asher commanded them to take me away.
The room smells stale, like old books that haven’t been touched in years. It’s dusty and quiet, but it doesn’t carry the cold, oppressive air of a prison cell.
There’s a small bed in the corner, a shelf full of books, and a reading table. The room looks like it’s been abandoned for a while, left to gather dust.
None of it matters, though, because my mind keeps drifting back to Alpha Asher.
I can’t shake the image of his face, the fury, and disdain in his eyes as he ordered me away.
It’s different from the tender looks he has, back when we were locked up in his room when everything felt different-when it felt like there was something real between us.
Now, that tenderness is gone, replaced by anger and coldness. And I’m left here, unsure of what’s coming next, making my heart heavy as I clutch tightly to it.
I thought Alpha Asher and I were making progress. What was I thinking, letting my guard down? But it’s so damn hard not to give in when he’s my mate-my fucking mate.
“Fuck this mate bond,” I whisper harshly, gripping my hair tightly in anger, my fingers curling around the strands as if trying to pull out.
Why does everything have to go so wrong? Why does it always have to end up like this, just when I thought I had a glimpse of happiness?
I wish Alpha Asher would listen to me and give me the chance to tell him what I saw today.
If only he could be wary of Maya and see through the lies and deceit. But instead, here I am, curled up on the cold floor.
I don’t even want to move to the bed, unsure if it’s clean or crawling with bugs, though the sheets look like they’ve been freshly laid.
It’s not about comfort anymore; it’s about regret.
I wish I hadn’t seen Maya and Xavier. I wish I hadn’t stepped outside to warn Asher.
I wish I hadn’t gone to him during my heat.
Each wish feels like a dagger, piercing deeper into my soul, reminding me of how everything has spiraled out of control.
My life sucks because I don’t have a wolf yet.
The thought echoes in my mind, making my headache worse. I clutch my head tightly, feeling like it’s about to explode. I don’t want to feel like this.
I’ve built a wall around my thoughts, keeping Alpha fucking Asher out. But now, slowly, I let that wall down, just for a moment, trying to find some clarity.
Then, his voice echoes in my head. “Ally, it’s me.” The moment those words ring in my mind, I slam the wall back up, shutting him out again.
I don’t want to hear his voice. I don’t want him in my head. I don’t know how long I sat there, motionless, trying to hold myself together.
A rustling sound by the door startles me, and I jump to my feet in fear.
My heart pounds loudly in my chest as I wonder what it could be.
Have they finally decided my fate? The thoughts whirl in my mind, and all I want is to leave Redwood Pack, to go back to Northville, to be with my son and Selena.
Suddenly, the door creaks open, and a middle-aged woman steps inside.
I freeze, my breath hitching in my throat. I don’t know if she’s a friend or a foe.
She smiles warmly and steps closer.
“Hi, I’m Kate. Sorry to bother you, but I was asked to bring you these clothes so you could look presentable,” she says, holding out the clothes.
Her eyes looked down at what I was wearing; I could see a flash of surprise in them.
I glance down at myself and realize how awful I look-Alpha Asher’s oversized shirt, with his boxers tied at the waist. It’s a mess.
“Why do I need to look presentable? Where are they taking me?” I ask, with a tense voice filled with suspicion.
Kate’s smile remains gentle and understanding. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t know. The Alpha sent me with these.”
At the mention of Asher, anger flares within me. I want to throw the clothes against the wall, to refuse anything coming from him.
But I think better of it. What good would that do?
“Thank you,” I mutter, taking the clothes from her, my mind still racing with questions and fear.
“There’s a bathroom just over there,” Kate says, pointing towards the corner of the room.
My eyes follow her direction, landing on the small, dimly lit space.
“You can have a bath and make yourself comfortable.”
I’m taken aback, my thoughts racing. Is Alpha Asher holding me hostage? None of this makes sense.
First, he orders me to be locked in the dungeon, and now he’s sending clothes and suggesting I take a bath and make myself comfortable.
What is he doing?
The confusion gnaws at me. I have so many unanswered questions, but I know this woman doesn’t have the answers I’m looking for.
Slowly, I nod my head, whispering a quiet, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she replies, with a gentle voice and makes her way out of the room.
I hear the door rustle again, the sound of it being locked once more.
My shoulders slump in defeat.
I sit on the bed, my thoughts swirling in a chaotic storm of confusion and frustration.
I don’t know how long I sit there, lost in my thoughts, but eventually, I’m exhausted.
I drift off to sleep, only to find my dreams consumed by Alpha Asher.
The memories of the naughty things we did during my heat invaded my mind, each one more vivid and infuriating than the last.
Even in my dreams, he invades every sense, refusing to let me escape.
I see my hips pressing toward him, my body reacting to the hardness of his erection.
His lips are on mine, kissing me with such possessiveness as if he never wants to let me go.
The kiss is filled with fury and intense, unrestrained emotions, a chaotic mix of desire and anger.
Suddenly, a surge of anger rises within me.
Without thinking, I bite down on his lip, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.
He jerks back immediately, his eyes wide with shock and perhaps a hint of betrayal.
I should feel satisfied that he let go, but instead, I feel disappointed.
I’m the one who bit him, yet I miss the connection, the heat of his kiss.
In my sleep, I shift, and my eyes flutter open. They widen in shock as I find someone staring down at me. ‘Shit,’ I mutter, my heart racing as I realize the room is filled with the unmistakable scent of my arousal.
Alpha Asher stands there, his gaze locked on me, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. His presence is overwhelming, and I can’t help but feel trapped under his intense scrutiny, the air heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.
My thoughts spiraled, “What does he want this time?”