Chapter 40
Raya’s Pov
As I sat there in Asher’s roo
mom, my mind rared with thoughts of what was to come. He had just told me that he had called for a meeting to discuss how I could return to my people, and the idea of leaving him and this place made my heart heavy-
Despite the danger I knew I was in, I was starting to feel somewhat comfortable bere. I had made a few friends and way of life. The idea of returning to my own people and facing the unknown made me anxious.
and started to learn about their
Asher asked me if everything was n
inkay, and I nodded Thy what was going to happen to me, and the uncertainty was taking its toll on me
head, trying my best to put on a firave face. But deep clown, I was scared. I didn’t know
He then asked me why I was moody, and I didn’t say anything. I kept quiet and refused to speak, not wanting to show my vulnerability in front of him.
it was hard to
He sipped from his glass of wine at intervals, and I watched him, wondering what he was thinking. He was so calm and collected, and it i believe that just a few hours ago, he was out there fighting for the safety of his pack. I admired his strength and resilience, but at the same time. I couldn’t help but feel a little envious of how easy it was for him to be so composed.
He then told me that I shouldn’t leave the room and that they should be there with me. I was taken aback by his concern, and for a moment. I wondered if there was more to his actions than just duty,
But I quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that it was foolish to think that way. He was the Alpha, and I was just a captive
1 nodded my head in agreement, grateful for his concern. We sat there in silence for a while, the only sound being the occasional link of his glass against the table.
My mind was still racing with thoughts, but I didn’t know how to voice them. I felt trapped, unsure of what the future held for me. All I knew was that I didn’t want to leave this place, even though I knew I had to
Finally, after what felt like an eternity. Asher spoke up again. He told me that he had sent for his best warriors to escort me back to my people, and that they would make sure I was safe.
I nodded my head, not knowing what else to say. I was grateful for his help, but at the same time, I didn’t know how to express my gratitude
“I noticed you have been a bit moody lately, Raya. Is everything okay?” Asher asked, sipping from his glass of wine.
I shrugged, trying to keep my composure. “I’m fine, thank you.” I replied, staring blankly at the wall.
He looked at me for a moment before speaking. “You don’t seem fine. Is there something on your mind?”
I took a deep breath before responding “I’m just a little overwhelmed with everything that’s been happening. Being taken from my pack and brought here, it’s all just a lot to process.
Asher nodded, a sympathetic expression on his face. “I understand. It must be difficult for you. But you have to know that we had to do what we did to protect our pack
“I know,” I said, nodding slowly. “But it’s hard to be away from everything and everyone I’ve ever known”
“We will do everything in our power to make you feel at home here,” he said reassuringly. “But we need to talk about your future”
I tensed at the mention of my future. I had a feeling I knew where this conversation was going
“As you know, we cannot keep you here indefinitely. We have called for a meeting to discuss how we can safely return you to your pack.” Asher explained.
I felt a knot form in my stomach. I knew I had to go back, but the thought of leaving this place, leaving Caden, made me feel sick.
“I understand.” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hut can we at least wait until things settle down a bit! It’s still not safe out there?”
Asher took another sip of wine before responding. “I understand your concern, but we can’t keep you here forever. We need to make a plan, and
Moon.
I nodded, knowing he was
was right. But the thought of leaving still weighed heavily on my mind.
“Why don’t you take some time to think about it? We can discuss this further when you’re feeling a bit more settled her suggested.
I nodded again, grateful for the reprieve. “Thank you,” I said softly.
Chapter 40
As we sat there, I realized that despite everything that had happened, I was starting to feel something strange for Asher. I couldn’t explain it, but there was something about him that drew me to him. Maybe it was his strength, his confidence, or the way he looked at me sometimes, or my strange taste for his masculinity. Whatever it was, I couldn’t deny that I was starting to feel a connection with him.
But as the night wore e on, I knew that I had to push those thoughts aside. I couldn’t afford to get attached, not when I was about to leave.
I could feel the tension thickening in the air between is as we sat there in silence. I had revealed my fears and antities to Asher, and now we both sat there, unsure of what to say next. The weight of his gare on me made me squirm uncomfortably, and I shifted in my seat, wishing I could escape his penetrating stare
Without a word. Asher rose from his chair and walked around the table until he was standing right beside me I could feel his body heat radiating off him as he leaned down, his face close to mine. My heart was racing as I looked up at him, not knowing what to expect.
“Asher, do you mind telling me why the rogues attacked? Fasked, my voice shaking slightly.
He didn’t answer, but instead reached out and took my hand in his. I gasped as I felt the roughness of his skin against mine, the sensation sending a shiver down my spine. He stroked his thumb over my knuckles, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the firm grip he had on my hand.
There was something about the way he looked. Something about him didn’t seem quite right.
Is everything OK?” I asked, my brows drawing together together confusion. “You don’t look quite OK”
“Everything is perfectly fine. Is there any problem!” He asked, his brows twitching.
“Asher, please tell me what’s wrong. I begged him.
He pulled his hand away from mine and stood up. “Why are you so interested?” he asked, his voice laced with annoyance.
“Because I want to help” I replied, stepping closer to him.
“Help” he scoffed. “There’s nothing you can do to help”
“Why won’t you let me try?” I asked, my voice rising with frustration.
He sighed heavily before turning to face me. “Fine,” he said. “Ill tell you”
I felt a glimmer of hope in my heart, but it was short–lived when he added. “But you won’t like what you hear.”
“I don’t care.” I told him. Just tell me.”
He hesitated for a moment before finally opening up. “It’s because of you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Because of what you did”
“What did I do?” I asked, confused.
“You got my guards killed,” he said, his voice rising with anger. “You led those rogues right to us!”
I was stunned. “I didn’t mean to,” I protested.
“It doesn’t matter,” he snapped. “The fact is that they’re dead because of you.
“T’m sorry” I said, tears filling my eyes. “I didn’t know.”
“I don’t want your apologies,” he said, his voice cold. “I want y
“I want you gone. I want you to go back!”
I couldn’t believe it. Asher had just yelled at me, blaming me for his losses. The shock on my face must have been evident because he paused. looking at me with a mix of anger and regret
“You heard me.” he said, his voice lowering to a
g to a growl. “It’s because of you that I lost most of my guards.”
Helt my heart sink. How could he say that to me? I hadn’t asked to be brought here, and I certainly didn’t ask for the rogues to attack. “How is it my fault!” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“You think I don’t know why the rogues attacked?” he said, leaning closer to me. “It’s because of you!”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My heart started racing and I felt a lump in my throat as Asher’s words sunk in. “It’s because of you,” he yelled at me, his face contorted in anger.
“What do you mean it’s because of me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You! Your presence here has caused nothing but clubs and trouble,” he spat out.
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10:18 PM d·
Chapter 40.
“But I didn’t ask to be brought here. You captured ine.” I protested, feeling
Tears D
pricking at the corners
ners of my eyes.
“You’re right. We did capture you. And now it’s time for you to leave,” he said, his tone final.
Asher’s face contorted with anger as he stood up from his seat and glared down at me. His eyes seemed to blaze with a fiery intensity, and his lips were curled into a snarl that made my blood run cold. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and I could see the muscles in his jaw twitching with rage.
“You have no idea what you’ve done, he spat at me, his voice low and dangerous. “You think you can just waltz in here and disrupt everything, and then act like it’s no big deal? You have no respect for our laws or our way of life. You have no idea how much damage you’ve caused”
I was stunned into silence as Asher yelled at me, his anger like a physical force that I could feel radiating off of him. I had never seen him like this before – he was usually so controlled, so calm and collected. But now he was practically shaking with fury, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to process what he was saying
“What did I do?” I finally managed to stammer out, my voice barely above a whisper. “What damage did I cause?”
Asher snorted derisively. “You’re joking, right? You ran away from your own people, and in doing so, you led a doorstep.
of roques straight to our pack of rogues straight
As Asher continued to yell at me, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of fear and anxiety creeping up within me. His face was contorted with rage and his voice echoed through the room. I noticed that he was becoming increasingly more drunk with each passing moment. The scent of wine permeated the air, and I couldn’t help but wonder how strong it must have been
1 knew that running away wasn’t an option. If I did, Asher might do something unthinkable, and I didn’t want to find out what that could be. So Instead, I begged him to calm down, but he only got louder. He continued to hurl insults at me, blaming me for the loss of his guards. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
As the yelling continued, I felt a lump form in my throat, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. Asher finally seemed to notice and asked me why I was crying. I yelled back at him, telling him that he was scaring me.
He paused for a moment, taking in my tears and my words, I could see his face soften as he realized what he had done. He stumbled towards me, reaching out as if he wanted to comfort me. But I flinched away, not wanting him to touch me.
He looked hurt by my reaction, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I was tired of being at his mercy, tired of being afraid. I
