Asher
I don’t understand why Selena always shows up whenever she senses that Ally is in danger.
There’s something about this woman that I just can’t figure out.
“Selena,” Liam says, his voice laced with surprise. “Why is she here, Alpha?” He turns to me, confusion evident on his face.
I don’t need Selena to explain why she’s here; I already know. It’s because of Ally.
“Where is she, Alpha?” Selena asks, with a soft voice as she bows her head slightly.
“She’s safe, Selena,” I reply, trying to keep a steady voice.
But Selena doesn’t seem pleased. Her eyes lock onto mine, and I can tell she has a request she’s hesitant to voice.
Liam glances between us, clearly trying to piece together the connection between Selena and me. His curiosity is almost palpable.
“Can you please release her to me?” Selena asks. “She isn’t safe here.”
My eyes snap to hers, at her request. She’s said this before, the last time she was here. And now, she’s repeating it. Something’s not adding up.
“What is it you’re not telling me, Selena?” I ask, with a firm voice, demanding answers.
“Alpha, she just needs to be out of here,” Selena insists, with urgency in her voice. “Maya won’t stop until Ally is dead, and there are other dynamics at play here, Alpha.”
Her words ignite a fury within me. The way she speaks in riddles, withholding details, only heightens my need to protect Ally at all costs.
“Start talking, Selena,” I commanded, my voice low and threatening, my Alpha aura seeping into the room.
Yet, she remains unmoved, her composure intact, unfazed by my display of dominance.
“Why are you so worked up about her?” she questions, her eyes narrowing. “Last I checked, you rejected her.”
The words sting, but my response is swift and laced with frustration. “Do I need to remind you that we are bonded by blood? I can feel her emotions, her pain, everything that concerns her.” My anger flares, each word dripping with the intensity of my emotions.
Liam’s gaze flickers between Selena and me, confusion and concern etched into his features.
“Chill, guys. If Selena says Ally’s in danger, why are we standing here arguing? Let’s hurry and get her out of here,” he interjects, with a calming force amidst the tension.
I glance at him, briefly in suspicion.
“If it’s about earlier, I was just pulling your leg,” he says, raising his hands in surrender, trying to ease the tension.
A smirk tugs at my lips, and I exhale a heavy breath. “Thank the goddess Selena showed up in time to save you from me,” we need to act, and we need to act now.
“Let’s go. No one must know about this,” I say firmly, turning to Liam. “You’ll have to escort Selena and Ally out of the pack border unnoticed.”
“Noted, Alpha,” Liam replies with a nod. Together, we head out of the office, Selena and Liam following closely behind me.
As we reach the entrance, I halt abruptly.
“Wait here,” I instruct them. They stop without question, watching as I step forward into the dimly lit room.
The sight before me stops me in my tracks.
Ally is curled up in bed, wearing my shirt, her face serene but her body betraying her.
The scent of her arousal fills the air, it’s intoxicating. She shifts slightly, her hips arching, even as her eyes remain closed, lost in a dream that stirs something in her.
I clench my fists, trying to steady my breathing, torn between the urgent task at hand and my primal instincts.
I realize she’s having a wet dream.
The thought of her dreaming about someone else, feeling that kind of pleasure, makes my jaw tighten, my teeth grinding together as I stare down at her.
Taking a deep breath, I force myself to push the desire down, to focus on the mission at hand.
This isn’t the time for my jealousy or my primal urges.
Slowly, I step closer to her, careful not to make any sudden movements that might alarm her.
She stirs, as if sensing someone watching her, and her eyes flutter open.
At first, she blinks, disoriented, not sure if she’s seeing me or just imagining it.
Then, in a flash of recognition, she scoots away from me, her body pressing into the headboard as if I’m some kind of threat.
A low growl escapes me, reacting to the way she’s retreating from me like I’m the villain here.
With her flushed face, the heat in the air tells me she knows she’s been caught, yet she still holds that cold glare; I could sense mistrust in her eyes.
“Get up and go have a bath. Dress up,” I command, with a tight voice barely keeping my frustration in check.
Without a word of protest, Ally slowly gets up; her eyes don’t leave mine, as if she’s daring me to make a move.
She gathers her clothes, with a careful distance between us as she moves away.
I watch her go, my fists still clenched, fighting the battle within myself to stay in control.
Ally isn’t usually this compliant, and seeing her obey my every command irks me to the core.
I feel the frustration boiling over, and I nearly kick the bed in anger.
The sudden movement causes her to jump slightly, and my heart clenches at the sight.
This isn’t the Ally I know. I want her to challenge me, to fight back, to yell at me and hurl the words she’s undoubtedly holding inside.
But she remains silent, her spirit subdued, and it tears me apart but I wait for her to finish her bath.
My mind drifts to earlier today, in the bathroom.
It felt surreal, being that close to her, sharing the same space. I shake my head, trying to banish the memory, trying to focus on the present.
When she finally steps out of the bathroom, she looks radiant.
She’s wearing a long, flowing floral gown with thin straps, and even though it’s simple, she makes it look stunning.
Ally is the kind of woman who could wear rags and still outshine everyone around her.
“I’m ready,” she says, with a steady voice, though I can see the tension in her posture.
I know she sees me as a monster right now; I betrayed the promises I once made to her.
But for now, I’m willing to bear that burden. I can endure her hate if it means keeping her safe.
I sense the pain I’ve caused. I’ve broken my promise, shattered the trust she had in me.
But if that’s the price I have to pay to ensure her safety, so be it. For now, I’ll let her hate me if it means she’ll live to see another day.
We make our way out of the room, the hallway eerily silent.
I’ve dismissed the guards, ensuring no one knows what’s happening tonight.
As we step outside, the cool night air greets us, but Ally suddenly goes stiff.
I notice her body tense as if she’s bracing herself for something. I’m not sure what caused it if it’s seeing Liam standing by the shadows or Selena waiting nearby.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly from behind, with a low voice to avoid startling her further.
She tenses again, her shoulders rising slightly before she shakes her head.
Whatever she’s feeling, it’s clear she’s not ready to share, but I hold back the urge to press her for answers. She’s been through enough.
I glance at Liam and Selena, both watching intently. Liam’s face is with concern, while Selena’s eyes are filled with understanding.
“Let’s get moving,” I say, with a calm tone. “We need to leave before anyone notices.”
“Stop,” Ally suddenly says as we all stop to hear what she has to say.