Alethea
“You,” is all he says as he brings my hand to the bulge in his pants. “Feel me, Ally. It’s calling out to you.”
I didn’t think twice as I pulled down his zipper, my chest rising and falling, my mouth slightly open. I can’t contain the lust clouding my emotions.
Asher makes me do things I wouldn’t normally do, but with him, it just feels so right-and so wrong at the same time.
“Fuck, Ally,” he groans loudly, throwing his head back.
“Do we want to do this here? On the side of the road?” I ask.
“I just need a release, Ally. It hurts so bad,” he says, his voice strained as he frees himself. His length is thick, bouncing slightly as it’s released.
“I want to feel your tongue on me, Ally. It’s all I’ve been thinking about all morning, even while you talked.”
“Asher,” I whisper.
“Yes, Ally?” His voice is low, with need. “I love it when I have your tongue around me.”
That was all the invitation I needed. Turning toward him, I lower my head, my fingers wrapping around him as I bring him to my lips.
He groans, taking a fistful of my hair.
I tease the tip, circling my tongue around it, his taste filling my mouth. Slowly, I take him in, inch by inch, my throat tightening as he stretches me. He’s too big, and I gag slightly, but I don’t stop.
I want him to get lost in pleasure, to surrender to the moment. His hips move in sync with me, his breathing ragged.
I shift my attention, trailing my tongue lower, my hands stroking him as I take him in again.
I want to feel him inside me so badly, but we’re in a fucking car. The thought snaps me back to reality. My heart is racing, my body aching for more, but I know this isn’t the right place.
I lift my head, trying to gather my thoughts. We haven’t defined what we are but right now, none of that matters. I just want to hold on to this feeling.
“Asher, start the car. Let’s get out of here. It’s not safe,” I say suddenly, my voice more urgent than I expected.
To my surprise, he didn’t argue. Without a word, he tucks himself back into his pants, fixes his zipper, and starts the engine.
The rest of the drive is quiet. Neither of us speaks. We’re both lost in our thoughts, the sexual tension still between us.
I think about what I will do once I return to the Redwood Pack, but one thing is certain, I refuse to be idle.
As the pack’s territory comes into view, a wave of nerves shoots through me. Will they recognize me? Will they accept me? I don’t know, but I take comfort in knowing that Kayla is here. At least she will be a welcome distraction from the anxiety swirling inside me.
Our car slows as we approach the gates, and the guards immediately halt us. Asher rolls down the window, and the moment they recognize him, they bow their heads in respect before they step aside to let us through. I assume he must have alerted his trusted men about his return.
As we pull into the packhouse driveway, I spot Liam waiting at the entrance with several other men whose names I don’t know. My hands feel clammy, and my stomach twists in knots.
Asher must sense my unease because, without a word, he reaches over and takes my hand.
“We’ve got this,” he says softly.
I turn to him and nod. There are so many questions racing through my mind, but now isn’t the time for them.
Liam steps forward, opening Asher’s door first. They exchange a firm handshake before Liam moves to my side, pulling open my door as well.
The moment I step out, all eyes land on me.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
*Who is she?*
*What is she doing with the Alpha?*
*Has she come to replace Luna Maya?*
*I miss Luna Maya. It’s a shame the Alpha killed her.*
*Is she his new Luna? He didn’t even take time to mourn before finding a replacement.*
Their voice feels like a sharp needle piercing through me. My heart pounds, and for a moment, I feel exposed.
Then, I feel his hand on my shoulder, The familiar sparks of our bond rush through me, grounding me in place.
Will I ever get used to this feeling?
But for now, I let Asher’s presence calm my nerves as I take my first step into the Redwood Pack once again.
Asher tilts my chin up with his fingers, making me meet his deep green eyes.
“Stay close to me,” he murmurs.
Before I can respond, a small cough from behind breaks the moment. I turn to see Liam grinning from ear to ear.
“Ally, it’s good to have you back,” he says with an easy smile.
“Thanks,” I mutter, though my chest tightens as memories of my time here as Zoe come rushing back. I don’t know why, but anger stirs in me as I step into the packhouse.
I already know where I’ll be staying, so I move with purpose, barely glancing at the hallways. A few guards carry my bags, taking them to the same room I had used last time.
But something feels… off.
The atmosphere is tense. The pack members’ gazes on Asher aren’t with respect. Instead, I see cold stares and bitterness, some even filled with hatred.
It doesn’t take much to figure out why. News must have spread about Luna Maya’s death, and many blame Asher. He was at the center of the murder case, and even if he was found innocent, that doesn’t mean everyone believes it.
I swallow hard.
This is going to be a tough ride.
To them, I am nothing but an unwanted replacement for their lost Luna. I don’t know how deep their hatred for me runs, but I can feel it in the way they look at me.
Am I ready for this?
I take a deep breath.
I have to try.
Asher leads the way through the packhouse.
The whispers didn’t stop. If anything, they seem to grow louder the farther we walk.
*”Why is she here?”*
*”Does she think she can take Luna Maya’s place?”*
*”I heard Alpha Asher killed Maya himself.”*
I try to block them out; I glance at Asher, wondering if he hears them, too. His expression remains unreadable, but his jaw is clenched tight. He’s holding himself back.
When we reached the door of my room, the guards set down my bags before nodding respectfully and leaving. Asher stays behind, watching me as I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease in my chest.
“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” he finally says.
I met his gaze. “I came back with you for a reason, Asher. I’m not running.”
I see relief, cross his face before he steps closer. His fingers brush against my arm, sending a familiar spark through me.
“I know this won’t be easy,” he murmurs. “The pack… they’re hurting. And they don’t know the truth.”
I nod, understanding what he means. They don’t know what Maya did. The lies she spun. The betrayal she orchestrated. All they see is the woman who was once their Luna gone. And me, standing in her place.
Asher plants a lingering kiss on my forehead as I shudder then he walks away as he disappears down the hall.
I swallow the lump in my throat, a strange sense of unease settling in my chest. Something tells me the real battle is just beginning.
Before I can dwell on it, I hear hurried footsteps approaching. I turn just in time to see Kayla rounding the corner, her expression anything but pleasant. Her brows are furrowed, her lips pressed into a tight line.
Without a word, she grabs my hand and drags me into the room, shutting the door behind us. Her actions make my heart pound.
“Kayla, what-”
She finally lets go of my hand, takes a deep breath, and stares at me for a few seconds as if debating what to say.
Then, out of nowhere, she blurts something so unexpected that I burst into laughter, the tension in my chest easing for the first time since I arrived.