Alethea
Asher rises to his full height; his powerful aura seeps out, commanding respect and dominance.
Xena paces in my mind, as she purrs with satisfaction, and my heart swells with an overwhelming sense of pride and relief.
Just having Asher close by makes my skin tingle, every nerve in my body attuned to his presence.
I can’t stop smiling. My face aches from how much I’ve grinned today, but I don’t care.
Then, his deep, commanding voice fills the space between us.
“Ally, you have stood by me through everything. This pack needs strong leadership, and there is no one I trust more to stand beside me. Will you help me rebuild what was almost lost?”
I gasp, my breath catches in my throat. Xena purrs even louder, her excitement mirrors mine. The words flood me with emotions I can barely process.
The pack erupts in cheers and howls of joy, celebrating our victory. Xavier is gone.
But I know this fight isn’t over. Xavier didn’t work alone-there are still hidden alliances that could rise against us.
Before I can dwell too much on what’s to come, Asher’s strong hand presses against the small of my back.
A shiver runs down my spine at the contact, and the sparks that ignite between us are as electrifying as ever.
Without a word, he begins to lead me away from the crowd, away from the roaring celebration as he takes me toward a part of the arena I never even knew existed.
My heart pounds “Where are we going?” I ask, curious as I glance up at him.
Asher’s lips twitch into a knowing smile. He’s enjoying this suspense, the effect he has on me.
“You seem to be having fun keeping me in the dark,” I say, as I narrow my eyes playfully.
“What’s the joy if I tell you where I’m taking you?” he teases.
I roll my eyes at him, but there’s no real irritation behind it. Instead, excitement buzzes in my chest as he leads me through the corridors.
Eventually, we stop in front of a door, and when he pushes it open, I step inside, my breath catches at the sight before me.
The lounge is nothing like I expected. It has a laid-back, intimate vibe, with warm neon lights and a cozy glow over the room.
Smooth jazz hums in the background, setting a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere.
I take it all in the plush sofas and stylish armchairs, the elegant furniture, and artwork adorning the walls, and the rich-colored rug adding warmth to the space.
Potted plants are placed strategically, giving the room a sense of life. On one side, there’s a game area, complete with pool tables and a console setup, for entertainment.
Before I can fully absorb the beauty of the place, I feel him.
Asher steps in front of me, his presence commanding, but his gaze is impossibly soft.
My lips part as I take him in, the way he looks at me like I’m the only person that matters. My heart skips a thousand beats, hammering so hard I swear it’s about to burst from my ribcage.
A deep blush spreads across my face, and I feel the heat creep down my neck. There’s so much love swimming in his eyes, so much raw emotion that I struggle to find my voice.
“Thank you, Alethea Weaver,” he murmurs. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. You saved me when I felt helpless when my strength failed me. You are my miracle. And thank you for coming back with me to the Redwood Pack.”
I shake my head, words forming on my tongue to tell him he doesn’t have to thank me and that I would do it all over again for him. But before I can speak, I lift my hand and place a gentle finger against his lips to hush him.
His green eyes darken slightly, and then without warning he parts his lips and takes my finger into his mouth, sucking on it slowly.
I let out a sharp gasp. The heat in his gaze shifts into something more intense, something that sends a thrill racing through my veins.
“Oh, Goddess, Asher…” My voice is barely a whisper, breathless as I feel a wave of heat.
How can he do something so simple, just sucking on my finger, and yet make my body react as if I’ve never been touched before? Moisture pools between my thighs, and I clench them together, trying to suppress the reaction.
He doesn’t miss a thing. His eyes stay locked on mine, searching, like he’s unraveling every guarded piece of me. But I’m already gone. Lost to him.
I know it’s the mate bond. The one that refuses to break, even after he rejected me. The pain of that moment still stays fresh, and my heart clenches just thinking about it.
As if sensing my thoughts, Asher moves his hand to my face, cupping it gently. His touch is warm, and yet it sends another wave of sparks skittering across my skin.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he murmurs, his thumb as he strokes my cheek. “And I know ‘sorry’ won’t erase the pain I caused you. But, Ally… I know one thing for sure. I’m safe in the fact that we are mates.”
I place my hand over him, feeling the way his heat seeps into me, and the tingles erupt once more.
“Goddess, will it ever stop?” I whisper, more to myself than him.
Asher tilts his head. “Stop what?”
“The prickles on my skin. The sparks. The… effect you have on me.”
He chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through my bones. “Are you tired of it already, my dear mate?”
He leans in, his voice dropping lower. “You’d better get used to it. Because nothing is going to keep us apart again.”
His presence is overwhelming, his scent intoxicating, and when he pulls me into his embrace, I don’t resist.
The moment his arms wrap around me, something inside me shifts like I’ve finally found where I was always meant to be. A place I had been denied for so long.
His scent fills my lungs, woodsy and strong, laced with something uniquely Asher.
Xena purrs softly, seductively to the unspoken desire. The energy between us is charged with tension, and I know just now that if Asher makes any move right now, I will give in.
I rest my head against his broad chest, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothe me.
For now, I just want to stay right here. In his arms. For as long as he’ll let me.
“Where is our son?” Asher asks, his deep voice rumbling against me as he buries his face into my hair.
His breath is warm, his scent surrounds me, and the way his rough hands stroke my back sends shivers down my spine.
Sparks chase every movement of his touch, making me melt into him, completely undone.
“He’s with Amelia,” I whisper, barely able to form words with how consumed I am by him.
At that, Asher stills. “Amelia?” he repeats, pulling back just slightly. “You mean… Amelia?”
His voice holds a note of surprise, and something inside me twists a pang of jealousy.
“You know her?” I ask, my voice betraying my emotions.
A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips like he already knows exactly what I’m thinking. “I do,” he says simply.
I am tense. “How?”
His chest rises and falls with a quiet sigh. “If it’s the same Amelia who took over your position after you left as Zoe, then yes, I know her. She worked here for a while after you… disappeared.”
Then I remember Amelia giggling, gushing about how handsome Asher was, about how she wouldn’t mind having a taste of the Alpha. She had always been so eager, so infatuated with him.
I can’t help it. The jealousy flares hot in my chest, irrational and all-consuming. I need to see his face. I need to know- does she mean something to him?
Slowly, I wiggle out of his grip, stepping back just enough to lift my gaze to his.
Asher watches me, and in amusement, a knowing smile plays on his lips. He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t have to. He knows exactly what I’m looking for, what I need to see.
And then, without hesitation, he lays his heart bare for me.
I see it.