Asher
I groan loudly the moment she asks through the bond link, Who could that be? I don’t even try to pretend. I already know-it’s Selena. She’s here to drag Ally away to begin the Luna rite.
Ally notices the shift in my expression. Her eyes search mine, and then she sighs. She knows.
“That’s Selena,” I tell her.
“What’s my mum doing here?” she asks softly.
It catches me off guard, hearing her call Selena’s mum. She doesn’t say it often. Most times, she just calls her by name, but hearing the word slip from her lips now feels… different. Softer. A little more real.
“Your mum?” I tease, raising an eyebrow. “That’s new.”
She blushes instantly, cheeks turning bright red. Before she can respond, another knock echoes-louder, sharper this time.
“I’m coming, Mum!” she calls out as she stands slowly. I make myself presentable, raking a hand through my hair and adjusting the towel around my waist.
She opens the door, and there stands Selena-arms folded under her chest, her stance strict and commanding, like a mother on a mission.
“Good morning, Alpha,” she says, her tone polite but firm. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to take your mate now.”
“Mum, no! I’ll come when I’m ready!” Ally says quickly, stepping back from the doorway.
“No way, young lady. You weren’t even supposed to be with him right now,” Selena snaps, not even glancing in my direction like I’m invisible.
Asher, save me, Ally cries through the bond. She wants to take me away from you.
A small smile pulls at my lips. She’s pouting, eyes wide and playful as she suddenly leaps at me. I catch her mid-air without hesitation, holding her against my chest.
“Don’t let her take me,” she whispers, her face full of mock sadness, though her smile is bright and teasing.
“It’s just today and tomorrow,” I whisper back. “After tomorrow night, she won’t be able to take you away again. You’ll be mine fully.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, her voice soft.
“Yes, my Luna,” I say with a wide grin.
“Come on, Ally,” Selena says with a sigh. “Don’t act like such a brat. You’re going to be a mother now-stop clinging to him like a lovesick pup.”
That’s all it takes to trigger her.
Without a word, Ally grabs my face and crashes her lips onto mine, kissing me deeply. I laugh into the kiss, heart racing from how intense and unexpected it is.
But then I remember-we need to respect Selena. So I slowly ease away, brushing her hair back as I place her gently on her feet.
“Go,” I tell her, cupping her cheek. “We’ll talk through the phone all day-or better yet, through the bond link.”
She pouts again, making it impossibly hard to let her go, but I stand my ground, still smiling.
I might be the Alpha, but even I know better than to get in the way of Selena.
Finally, Ally follows Selena out of the room. I stand there for a moment, smiling softly as I watch them walk away. Her steps are slow, almost reluctant, and I can’t help but admire how graceful she looks even when she doesn’t want to leave.
Just when I think she’s gone, I feel a sudden tug on my shirt from behind. I turn around quickly, and there she is wrapping her arms around me in a warm hug from behind. Her scent fills my nose instantly-sweet, familiar, and comforting.
“Oh, Ally…” I whisper, gently stroke her hair with my fingers. I press a soft kiss to her forehead, holding her close, not wanting this moment to end.
Go, Ally, I say through the bond link, trying to sound firm even though my heart is melting. You’re making it hard for me to resist you.
She pulls back slowly, pouting. “Okay… I’ll go,” she says in a small voice, then steps aside and walks back to Selena.
I glance at Selena, offering her a silent, apologetic nod. She just gives me a knowing smile and waves it off like it’s nothing.
As they leave, I feel warmth bloom in my chest. I can’t stop smiling. She’s going to be my Luna-officially. It’s still hard to believe. This is really happening.
Still smiling, I grab my phone and call my parents. The moment the call connects, my mother answers like she’s been sitting by the phone all morning waiting.
“Oh, Asher! My Asher! How are you?” she says in her excited tone, her voice full of love.
“I’m good, Mum. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Tell me everything!” she says eagerly. I know Kayla must’ve already told her some of it, but my mum always wants to hear news directly from me.
So I tell her everything-about Ally, the ceremony, how I feel. I can feel her happiness even through the phone.
“I want to see my boy!” she says suddenly. I chuckle, already knowing what she means. We switch to a video call, and the moment her face appears on the screen, her smile lights up the whole frame. It’s so contagious, I smile even wider.
“How’s your sister, Kayla?” she asks, her voice softer now.
I love how my mum has always treated Kayla like her own daughter. She never made her feel like she didn’t belong.
“She’s fine, Mum.”
“Has she found her mate yet?”
I sigh lightly. “Mum, don’t you think that’s something she should tell you herself?”
I’ve noticed the quiet moments between Ryder and Kayla-the looks, the sneaking around. I even asked Ryder once, and he said things were complicated. I trust him, though. He’s a good man. Whatever is going on between them, I’ll let fate take care of it.
My mum sighs deeply. “Asher, she’s been asking about her birth parents. She’s starting to feel like she’s cursed.”
“Cursed?” I ask, confused.
“She said she can’t scent her mate. Her wolf doesn’t react the way it should. And now someone in the pack is claiming to be her mate, but she can’t feel it.”
“That’s… strange,” I say, frowning. “I’ll look into it, Mum. I promise.”
“How’s your father? Is he doing better?”
“He’s improving. He mentioned wanting to visit Redwood soon.”
“I would love that. I miss you both.”
“I miss you too, Mum.”
“Send my love to Alethea and Declan,” she says with a tender smile. “Tell them I love them with all my heart.”
I nod, smiling. My mother has always had the biggest heart. When she was Luna, the entire pack adored her-and I can see why. She loves deeply and completely. Just like I want to love Ally.
Here’s a rewritten version of your scene, with clearer flow, emotional depth, vivid details, and simple, engaging language in the present tense:
“It’s time for the fitting,” Liam says through the mind link, cutting into my call with Mum. I’ve been summoned for the final fitting of my ceremonial robe.
“We’ll talk later, Mum.”
“Alright, son. Bye,” she says gently. I wave at her before ending the video call and head toward the fitting room.
The moment I step inside, I stop in my tracks. Liam stands there holding the robe, and my jaw nearly drops to the floor.
It’s breathtaking.
It’s a deep charcoal black, embroidered with silver thread in ancient runes. The robe fits my broad frame perfectly, the sleeves are long and regal. Around his waist is a thick belt of leather and silver, and on his chest is the insignia of the Redwood Pack-a proud wolf head, eyes glowing with emerald stones.
****
Everything is in place. The temple is filled with pack members, all dressed in their best. Candles flicker along the walls, their flames dancing as if celebrating. The scent of fresh pine and incense fills the air, grounding me.
I stand on the altar, dressed in the robe I wore yesterday during the fitting. It felt light then, regal and powerful. But now? It feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. Sweat beads along my temple, and I shift on my feet.
I glance toward the entrance-again. Still no sign of her.
Come on, Ally. Where are you?
I reach out to her through the bond, but she blocks the link.
Blocked me?
“What the hell?” I mutter under my breath.
The priest beside me snaps his head in my direction, frowning. He’s a strict traditionalist-modern ways aren’t his thing. Even using the bond in a sacred place like this probably offends him.
I look away, trying to stay calm. But my thoughts begin to spiral.
Did she change her mind?
We talked all night. She was excited than I’ve ever seen her. We planned everything together. So what changed?
Seconds stretch into minutes, each one heavier than the last. My heart pounds louder than the ceremonial drums echoing outside.
I shift again. My robe clings to my back with sweat. My palms feel clammy, and for the first time in a long while, I’m starting to lose control.
Did she really just bail on me?