Five

Asher’s POV

There was something off about my wife that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. She had been acting strangely ever since she returned from the rogue invasion. 

I expected to be filled with hatred because she had been cheating on me, and she practically threw herself into her abductors' hands. If not for the boys, who needed their mother, I wouldn't have batted an eyelid after she was declared missing.

It was a toxic cycle in my family; my mother cheated on my dad and brought disgrace upon us. Yet he forgave her because he didn't want me to grow up in a broken home. I swore never to tread that path, yet here I was, not only accepting my wife back but also realizing the mate bond.

Before I found out Lila was cheating, she had grown distant and irritable. The smallest things seemed to set her off, and no matter what I did, we always argued. I had tried to apologize and swallow my ego for peace's sake most of the time.

I was hopeful about the new mate bond between us. Earlier, she seemed shaken by the attack and uncomfortable whenever I touched her, almost as if she was pulling away from me. It was the opposite for me; every touch felt new and more intense. I had always loved her, but the bond intertwined our souls. It was the strongest invisible force I had ever encountered.

"I need to rest," she had muttered earlier, stepping back slightly. "My body feels so heavy."

I nodded and watched her scratch the back of her neck, a nervous habit she rarely displayed. 

Her half-eaten food sat untouched, and I encouraged her, "Eat up. You need your strength. I hate that those bastards hurt you. I’ll do everything in my power to make them pay."

Her hand trembled as she picked up her fork. I watched as she forced herself to eat. She seemed almost relieved that I wasn’t pressing her to consummate our bond. What kind of man would push his wife when she was so clearly shaken? I could wait. A few more hours, maybe days, wouldn’t matter.

"Tell me, did anyone touch you?" I asked, breaking the silence as she sipped her water.

She shook her head.

"Good girl," I said softly, rubbing her cheek. Lila hated physical contact when she was upset. But now, even though she looked uncomfortable, she didn’t resist. It felt strange.

"Flames," I whispered, testing her with our secret code. She looked at me, confused. That was odd. She was supposed to say it back. 

"You’re acting weird," I laughed, trying to lighten the mood as I stood to grab her supplements from the cabinet. Lila was always meticulous about her skincare routine and health. Her skin was usually flawless—clear, glossy, almost glowing. But now, she looked worn, her eyes sunken and her usual vibrancy dulled.

"Here," I said, handing her the basket containing her supplements. She glanced at them, then back at me. "I’ll skip it tonight," she replied softly. "I just want to sleep early."

“But what about your parents? Shouldn’t we let them know you’re okay? I already texted your dad to tell him you’re back."

She looked at me blankly, and there was hesitation in her eyes. That wasn’t like Lila. If there was anyone she never joked about, it was her parents. 

She adored and loved them fiercely, sometimes even more than she loved me. It wasn’t a stretch to say I was a little jealous of their bond. When I found out she was cheating, she begged me not to expose her to her parents.

"Maybe tomorrow," she said quietly. "I just want to rest tonight."

I frowned slightly but nodded. "Lila, those people who hurt you will never get near you again. The border guards let their guard down, and the rogues took advantage. I swear on everything I hold dear, no one will ever make you feel unsafe again.”

She nodded, but her eyes drifted away from me. And then gave me a weak smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. 

The desire to make love to her was overwhelming, so I stood up. "I’ll let your parents know you’re okay, so they won’t worry about coming over tonight. It’s already late."

She nodded again, and I felt her eyes on me as I walked away.

Edward, my beta almost knocked me over as I stepped outside the mansion. He looked very shaken and was about to rush off to check if Lila was indeed back.

“Eddie, what the hell? She's resting and doesn't want to be disturbed.”

“Oh, come on! We all thought she was dead. She’s my best friend. I'm sure she won't mind,” Eddie insisted. “I’ve known her since we were barely out of diapers.”

I chuckled. Eddie never missed a chance to remind me of his long history with Lila. Sometimes, I wondered why he hadn’t asked her out and married her. But he'd shut it down whenever I brought it up, insisting they were just friends.

A small suspicion that Eddie was the bastard whom Lila was sleeping with had crept into my mind countless times. But I had no proof and wasn't about to accuse an innocent dude. 

“Let’s give her some time to rest,” I said, steering him toward Lila’s parents’ house. Bertha and Theodore, my in-laws, had raised Eddie and treated him like their own son.

As my wife's parents, I moved them into one of the duplexes on my estate grounds—just one of the many perks that came with being my in-laws. They were paid a monthly salary for life and given a cook, help, bodyguard, and chauffeur.

The last four days had been pure agony for all of us, thinking the worst had happened to Lila.

“Oh, I’m so relieved,” Bertha, my mother-in-law, sighed, clapping her hands together. 

She was dressed in a flowing boho gown, tall and elegant in her mid-fifties. Her husband, Theodore, stood beside her, beaming from ear to ear. Lila was their only child and they adored her. 

“Where is my Lila?” Theodore asked, his eyes searching behind me for his daughter.

“She’s still a bit shaken. You can see her tomorrow. She needs some rest. But I do have some great news,” I added, watching Bertha and Theodore lean in, hanging on my words.

“What is it?” they asked at once. 

I smiled at their synchronized response. “Lila and I are mates. Our wolves recognized each other when she stepped back into the house.”

They exchanged glances and remained silent. Something felt off. Their reaction wasn’t what I expected. Bertha wore a noticeably stiff smile.

“Why aren’t you excited? I asked, looking between them.

“Congratulations,” Bertha finally said; her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Why was everyone acting strange tonight?

“Congrats, King Asher. You deserve all the good things coming your way,” Theodore added. “Now that you and Lila are officially mates, your arguments will fade away. The bond will help you communicate better and bring you closer together.”

“I hope so.“

Even Eddie didn't seem as excited as I expected. I ignored them. My wife was here, and that's all that mattered. 

I felt peace deep down for the first time in a long while.

Whistling like a carefree fool, the same way my kids did whenever they got their hands on candy, I headed home with Eddie striding right next to me.

“Lila must feel pretty damn lucky to be back,” Eddie said with a smirk, finally acting like himself again. “Bet she’s been talking your ears off since you found her.”

I shrugged, keeping my gaze fixed ahead. “Not exactly. She’s been quieter than usual. Guess those rogues did a number on her. We need to hunt down every last one of them and wipe them out. I don’t want her—or anyone else—living in fear.”

Eddie gave a firm nod. “Did she tell you anything about what happened? Share any details of her time with them?”

I opened my mouth, about to fill him in, but something caught my eye. A cluster of guards stood at one of the watch stations, struggling with someone. 

I narrowed my gaze, focusing on the figure in their grip.

She twisted and writhed in their hold, her voice hitting the air with desperate cries, pleading for them to let her go.

Lila.