2

Elara

As Asher and I entered the Halloween party, the room seemed to fall silent around us. It was unsettling to say the least, so I tried to focus on the warmth of Asher's hand in mine, a lifeline in a sea of curious onlookers. With a gentle squeeze, he gestured for me to wait by the entrance while he went to get us some drinks.

As Asher disappeared into the crowd, I stood alone, while the stares and whispers of all those present seemed to follow me like a shadow. Ignoring the prying eyes around me, I fixed my gaze on Asher at the bar. I watched as he smiled, his eyes briefly flickering in my direction before he leaned in to whisper something to another man at the bar. The sight of him, so confident and at ease made me realise how different we were from one another.

As I stood lost in my thoughts, the sudden force of being pushed forward caught me off guard, causing me to stumble before regaining my balance. When I turned around, I found myself face to face with the girls that called themselves Millie’s besties. Their expressions were twisted with malice, and I could sense the dark intentions they had brewing within them.

The ringleader stepped forward, her eyes cold and calculating as she sneered at me. "Well, well, well, look who's graced us with her presence.” Taking a piece of my hair into her hand she rolled it between her fingers while walking a circle around me. “You really think you belong here, don't you?" Her words dripped with venom, each syllable laced with spite.

The other girls closed in, their gazes sharp and unforgiving. "You're nothing, Elara. Just a pathetic little wannabe trying to fit in where you don't belong," one of them spat, her words like daggers aimed at my heart. The onslaught of insults continued, each more cutting than the last - ugly, undeserving, unworthy of Asher's attention.

But it was the final blow that struck the deepest. The ringleader's voice turned icy as she delivered her cruel verdict. "For what you did to Millie, you will never find happiness here. You're cursed, Elara. Cursed to be alone and I will make it my personal mission to keep you miserable for as long as you dare to show your face in our school."

Their words were like a suffocating blanket of condemnation and scorn. People like her, like my father, had pulled it from me for too long. Steeling myself against their verbal assault, I lifted my chin and met their hateful glares ignoring the whimp I’d become since moving here.

"Look Miss bitch, I may not fit your idea of perfection, but I won't let your cruelty define me," I declared, my voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within me. With one last look, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving the echoes of their vicious words behind me.

I made a beeline for the backdoor, disappearing into the darkness of the night. I need to breathe. Alone, I clutched the amethyst hanging from my neck, taking deep breaths as the stone calmed my anxiety. When I finally felt at ease, I opened my eyes to see Asher squatting beside me.

"I can't go back in there," I whispered to him, my voice shaky.

"You can, and you should," Asher replied firmly. "The best thing to do is to stand up for yourself."

I hesitated, unsure, but after a moment, I nodded in agreement. He was right, I’d never let anyone walk over me before, so why am I now? As Asher led me back inside, we walked past everyone and into the center of the dance floor. Asher looked at me, that huge smile on his face as he asked, "Care to dance?"

Asher

Seeing Elara so vulnerable, drowning in her own isolation, made me question everything I believed in. She had faced more trials than anyone should have to bear, but it was that very grief that made her perfect for my brotherhood.

God, she was beautiful. Her hair like fiery waves, and those eyes—mesmerising pools of blue that pulled me in deeper with every glance. If I hadn’t made a promise to my brothers, I would have kept her for myself, no doubt about it.

When our lips met, I felt it instantly—the magnetic pull of something powerful hidden within her. A power that she hadn’t fully recognised yet. A witch can always feel another, after all.

The more time I spent with Elara, the clearer it became that she was completely unaware of her true self. Her potential, her power, her very essence were all lost on her. A better man might’ve taken her hand and led her towards her destiny, helped her to embrace everything she could become.

But I am not that man.

I buried my knowledge of her gifts deep inside, hidden from those who didn’t matter. I had the power to change her life, but I chose to keep her in the shadows. It hurt a part of me to see her so blind to her own capabilities, yet I couldn’t be the one to show her the light. If I was right—if she was as special as I believed—it made her neutral. And that neutrality was more precious than any spell I, or anyone could conjure. I am not the guy who inspires greatness in others; I’m the one who harbors secrets and allows them to fester until I can use them to my advantage.

As we danced at party, my mind raced with the thrill of what awaited me by the end of the night. The thought of what was to come sent a rush through me, knowing that this innocent, radiant beauty would be the key. When the song drew to a close, I took her hand and led her into the corridor, spinning her so that her back pressed against the wall. This would be the only chance I had to be with her… ever.

"Asher," she murmured, and I leaned in, our lips meeting as my tongue began to wander.

“Shh,” I whispered as I trailed kisses along her jaw. She clutched at my shirt, her breath hitching as I began to nip at the soft skin of her neck.

With one hand anchoring her in place, I slid the other up to her thigh, my eyes fixed on the dream catcher tattoo. Fuck I loved a girl with tats. “Isn’t this where we left off earlier?” But just as my hand ventured higher, the door at the end of the corridor swung open, laughter spilling into the silence.

I released her and hurriedly pulled her into a darkened classroom, my heart racing. “Ingnito,” I whispered, and suddenly the world around me sharpened, while Elara remained shrouded in darkness.

“Ash…” she started, but I was quicker, sealing her words with my lips once more.

Wrapping my arms around her I lifted her up and placed her onto one of the tables. Placing my hand on her chest I laid her down and watched the nervousness on her face as I walked towards where her head rested. Unbuckling my belt, I pulled my dick free and massaged it in my hand.

“I want you to do something for me Elara,” I spoke softly as my free hand moved to caress her covered breast.

“What?” She whispered, her heavy breathing telling me she wasn’t sure if she should answer. Without saying anything, I placed the tip of my dick on her lips, and as she opened I pushed it inside.

At first she gagged, but after a second she relaxed… sort of. Using her shoulders I pulled her to the edge of the table so her head hung allowing her to take me completely into her mouth. With my groin flush against her face I moved to uncover her breasts, allowing my fingers to roll her nipples between them. Her hands instantly went to my legs holding them tight as I thrusted. But as I felt myself about to blow, I pulled out.

“Fucking good little Elara,” I whispered as I walked back around. She went to sit up, but I pushed her back down. I wasn’t finished.

Gripping her ankles I pulled her back onto the table so her head no longer hung. Using my knee I pulled her legs apart and pulled her knickers down.

“Does it happen like this in that book of yours?” I whispered right before thrusting into her.

“Asher… please… I,” she panted as I increased the force of my thrusts, and as her hand gripped my wrist, I blew. And my god did I fucking blow.