Alethea
I know Asher can smell my arousal, but right now, I don’t care.
What does he want this time? I guess he wants me away from him, as usual.
I see the way he looks pissed, his jaw clenched tightly, his hands forming fists. He kicks the bed, and I jump at the sudden movement.
He’s barely holding it together, and it’s obvious.
I can tell he wants to reach out, to explain, to say something that might make all of this better.
But to be honest, I don’t want to hear anything that comes from his mouth right now. I’m done listening to excuses and half-truths.
Stepping outside the dim room, the cool air hits me as I step into the open.
Liam is standing there, and I notice something different in him. The hostility he has from earlier is replaced with a more understanding look.
What happened between the time I was taken here and now? Right now, I don’t care.
All I want is to get back to Northville and wrap my arms around my boy. He’s the only comfort I need.
Then I see Selena, she’s here for me, as always. Selena has this uncanny ability to sense when I’m in danger.
Whatever she said to Asher to convince him to release me must have been strong. She’s the only reason I’m standing here right now, and for that, I’m grateful.
I keep moving, not sparing a glance back at Asher. But I know I need to talk to Selena.
“Stop,” I say firmly, everyone halts, slowly turning to look at me.
At that moment, I threw myself into Selena’s arms.
She’s taken aback, her body stiffening for a second before she gently wraps her arms around me, cradling me as if I might break.
I want to pour my heart out, to tell her everything I’ve been through.
I want to ask about my son, but I know I have to be careful. Asher’s piercing gaze is on me, drilling holes into my back.
I don’t want to look at him. I don’t want his pity, his concern, or any part of him.
He made his choice when he broke his promise, and now I’m done being swayed by anything he does.
“How is he?” I whisper to Selena, my voice trembling with barely contained emotion.
I see Asher stiffened behind Selena, probably wondering who I’m asking about.
“He’s fine,” Selena responds softly, a small smile playing on her lips. “He keeps asking about you.”
A genuine smile breaks across my face, lighting up my entire being. The thought of Declan, my little boy, waiting for me fills me with indescribable joy. He’s my world, and I can’t wait to hold him in my arms again.
“Let’s hurry. We don’t have the whole day,” Asher’s voice cuts through our moment, irritation lacing his tone.
It’s clear he’s angry.
Liam’s eyes are on me, watching me closely, with an unreadable expression.
“Ally,” he calls out softly.
“It’s Zoe,” I snap, with a sharp voice before I start walking away.
He runs a hand through his hair in frustration, I can see the conflict in his eyes, the way he’s torn between duty and whatever feelings he has left for me.
Maybe Asher has told him something, but honestly, I don’t care anymore.
We cross the pack border, and I immediately notice there are no guards.
It’s unusual, but right now, it’s the least of my concerns.
Just as we reach the border, Asher’s voice slices through the tense atmosphere, stopping me in my tracks.
“What was it you were about to tell me earlier?” he asks, his eyes locked on mine, trying to read the thoughts swirling in my head.
I smirk, with narrowed eyes as I stare back at him, knowing exactly what he’s trying to do.
But he lost the right to my thoughts the moment he silenced me the first time, humiliating me in front of everyone.
With a devious smirk and a voice as cold as the anger surging through me, I respond, “Figure it out yourself, Alpha.”
The word “Alpha” drips with sarcasm, a reminder of the distance I’m putting between us.
Without waiting for his reaction, I turn and continue walking.
“Thank you, Alpha, for your help. We’ll take it from here,” Selena says, trying to diffuse the tension in the air.
Asher gives a slow nod at Selena’s words, but his eyes remain fixed on me, as though he’s stripping away every layer, leaving me bare under his intense gaze.
It’s suffocating, the way he looks at me as if he can read my thoughts.
“Stupid Alpha,” I mutter under my breath, dropping the walls around my mind just enough for him to hear it.
“Stupid Alpha, fucking your cunt while you scream my name, right?” His response is immediate, with a smug smirk curling his lips as he sends his reply through the bond.
The heat rushes to my cheeks, as I slam the mental walls back up, shutting him out before he can invade it any further.
How dare he? The nerve of him, mocking me with memories I’m desperately trying to forget.
“Let’s go,” I say sharply to Selena, gripping her hand and pulling her along, desperate to put as much distance as possible between me and Asher.
I can’t afford to stay here, not when he’s pushing me to the edge, tempting me to make decisions I’ll regret.
“Take care of yourself,” Asher’s voice calls after me, “and give him my regards.”
I freeze for a moment, my heart pounding with the implication of his words. He’s referring to Declan, our son. But I can’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me react.
With a small shake of my head, I force myself to keep walking; I can still feel burning in my back. He won’t get the last word. Not this time.
I don’t want to look back. I know that if I do, I might make a stupid decision. The bond between us has messed with my mind more than I can handle, and it feels so unfair. It’s like my thoughts aren’t entirely mine when he’s near.
We walk, and I realize it will be quite a distance before we reach where Selena parked the car.
But despite my resolve, I can’t help but turn around for one last look at him before he disappears.
He’s still there, standing motionless, hands buried in his pockets, with conflict on his face.
The sight tugs at my heart but I push it down, swallowing the surge of emotion.
“Let’s go, child,” Selena’s voice pulls me back to reality.
I nod.
When we’re finally out of sight, I sigh in relief at the fact that I’ve resisted the urge to run back to him, to give in to whatever this bond is trying to make me feel.
“Selena, how do you always know when I’m in trouble? You always seem to show up at the right moment,” I ask, the question that’s been nagging at me since I saw her.
“Mother’s instinct, Ally,” she replies with a soft smile. “I miss you, you know. And guess what? I’m making your favorite tonight while you sit and bond with Declan.”
Her words bring a genuine smile to my face, one I haven’t felt in days. “Chicken pot pie with mashed potatoes?”
Selena nods, her smile widening. “Yes, the one you can’t get enough of.”
I chuckle softly, the thought of being with Declan easing some of the tension in my chest.
Suddenly, Selena grabs my arm, her grip firm as she pulls me to a standstill. Her eyes dart around, scanning the area with a sharpness that sends a chill down my spine.
I barely have time to ask what’s wrong before I hear it-the faint rustling in the bushes nearby.
My heart begins to pound, a rapid, erratic beat that matches the rising fear in my chest.
My hands grow clammy, a sense of deja vu washing over me. It’s just like that night-when I was attacked by those wolves.
Then, without warning, Selena’s voice rings out, cutting through the stillness like a knife.
“Ally, run!” she screams, with a fierce commanding tone with an urgency I’ve never heard from her before.
For a moment, I froze. Panic roots me to the spot, my mind spinning in all directions.
I’m lost in fear, not sure of what to do. But then, my survival instincts kick in, snapping me out of the haze.
Without thinking, I turn on my heel and run, as I sprint away from the impending danger, just as Selena instructed.