Aphrodite:I paced around the bedroom that Lara and I shared, my mind conjuring a million different scenarios where Asher would find out my secret and brutally end my life.The way he had shut me out when I asked about the devil wolf I had overheard him speak about didn't bode well with me. I had to know why he had a personal vendetta against Devil Wolves, and I also wanted to know his next moves so I could avoid them during my stay in his Godforsaken mansion.Lara eyed me warily from her spot on the bed, choosing not to question me, and continued working on her laptop. I sighed, unable to come up with anything, and decided to get a drink in the kitchen since I was parched.I left our bedroom without saying a word, taking the stairs down to the kitchen. As I walked in, I found Hilda leaning against the marble island, munching on an apple. Her piercing green eyes squinted in distaste at the sight of me before she looked away, going back to bite into her apple.Deciding to ignore her, I
AphroditeAsher's footsteps halted by the door as soon as he walked in, and I held my breath in apprehension. Covering my mouth with my hands, I tried to slow my racing heartbeat, afraid that he'd hear and discover I was hiding in his bedroom.Goddess knows what he'd do then, and I couldn't even come up with a suitable excuse because my brain was jumbled up with worries. I heard the door shut after some time, then his footsteps moving around in the room.I shut my eyes tightly, hoping and praying that he wouldn't sense that something was off. I heard the bathroom door open, and I deduced he'd gone in to freshen up. I couldn't come out just yet, though, because I didn't hear the door shut and was paranoid he'd catch me.When I heard the shower turn on, I exhaled in relief. I had a chance to leave, but I had to be very quiet about it. Even though the noise from the shower could mask my footsteps, I still wasn't entirely in the clear.I summoned courage and pulled back the curtain, sighi
AsherAs I stared at the white pattern on the ceiling in the silence of my office, my mind drifted back to the moment I shared with my mate. I didn't question what she was doing in my bedroom in the first place, but instead, I found myself completely captivated by her eyes, which seemed to make me lose all sense of reality.For the life of me, I couldn't understand why she wanted nothing to do with me when it was clear she felt the same attraction. Contrary to the rumours of my supposed ugliness, women were actually dying to be in my arms.A knock on the door made me sigh and roll my swivel chair back to face my desk. The door opened shortly after I mumbled a 'come in' and George walked in. There was something amiss, though, because he was clenching and unclenching his fist, his chest heaving as he tried to contain his wolf.I furrowed my brows in worry, watching him walk in front of my desk before taking a seat. I observed him for a while, waiting for him to calm down from whatever h
AphroditeOur taxi pulled into the mansion's driveway and parked. Biting my lips nervously, I turned to Lara and gently touched her shoulder to wake her from her short slumber, signalling that we had arrived. She yawned, nodded, and sniffled before getting out of the car with me in tow.I quickly paid the cab driver and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as we walked inside. By the time we reached our bedroom, she had calmed down considerably, which I was thankful for.Never in my wildest imagination did I think this night would end the way it did. I couldn't wrap my head around how Asher had brutally murdered that poor man for no reason. I sighed and went to sit beside my best friend, trying as best as I could to be a support system.It was silent for a while before Lara stood up to freshen up, and I went to sit at the dressing table. I took some wipes and cleaned off my makeup before going into the closet to find something comfortable to wear after I showered.Lara came out af
Asher;For the first time in my life, I felt fear as I watched my mate seize helplessly and foam at the mouth. All I could do was hold her down to prevent her from hurting herself, while confusion, worry, anger, and, most of all, fear mixed into one dangerous concoction."What the hell is happening?" I screamed at no one in particular, barely registering the shuffle of feet behind me."Aphrodite," I called, touching her face with a shaking hand as she continued to seize in my arms. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she stopped seizing abruptly, going limp in my arms."No, no, no, wake up!” I shook her limp body violently, but when I didn't get a physical response, I screamed."Get the doctor!" I yelled at a maid, who jumped in fear and rushed out. I looked down at my mate, terrified that I might lose her. I could hear her heart, but it was faint. I didn't know if it would last, but the thought of losing her made me want to pull my hair out in frustration.The memory of losi
Aphrodite:Prying my eyes open took more effort than it should, but when I finally managed, I realised I was lying on a bed as soft as clouds. The only sound I could hear was the steady beeping of a heart monitor. As my gaze roamed the room, I recognised it as Asher's bedroom.The realisation made me sit up so fast that I felt dizzy for a second, but it quickly cleared. I looked around in confusion, wondering how the hell I had ended up in his room and on his bed. The last thing I remembered was drinking coffee while watching Asher flirt with Sophia on their stupid date. Nothing else.The door opened, and I snapped my attention to it. Asher walked in, his eyes widening when he saw me. He rushed to my side, enveloping me in a hug that left me both speechless and breathless at the same time.He pulled back and held my face with both hands, his eyes searching mine as if to make sure it was really me. He smiled tenderly, and I furrowed my brows in confusion."You're awake. How?" he mumble
AsherThe moment Aphrodite fainted in my arms, I roared in fury. My wolf growled angrily as I scanned the crowd, which had stopped to watch the scene unfold with shocked faces.“You!” I snarled at Harold; he was the community council head, and I knew he'd instigated this whole thing. I wanted to wring his neck so badly, but I couldn't leave my unconscious bleeding mate.“M—my King,” he stuttered, falling to his knees and shaking in fear.“Arrest him now,” I growled at George, who quickly sprung into action, ordering a warrior to take him away. Two warriors grabbed Harold by the arms, dragging him away as he continued to stutter out excuses and pleas.“Get the Devil Wolf out of here to a secure room,” I ordered, quickly lifting my mate and heading straight to my parked car.What was Aphrodite thinking when she decided to protect the Devil Wolf? She'd refused my offer to go out, but at the mere mention of Devil Wolf, she changed her mind.I glanced at her unconscious form in the passeng
AsherI almost bumped into Matilda on my way to the front door; she looked surprised by my abrupt departure, and I had to mask the seething rage that was simmering just beneath the surface of my skin. "You're leaving so soon?" She asked, frowning, her brown eyes dropping in disappointment. I gritted my teeth in anger at the fact that dinner could have ended a lot better, but as usual, the old man had to ruin it."I'm so sorry, Matilda. I have an emergency that requires my immediate attention," I lied smoothly. She nodded in understanding. I felt guilty for lying to her, but I couldn't stand being under the same roof as the man I called my father without wanting to break something."Just take care of yourself, my boy," she said with a warm smile, adjusting the collar of my dress shirt. I could feel the warmth radiating off her in waves, and it made me feel oddly safe."And Hilda too; I know she's always been obsessed with following you around, even as a child, but she'll outgrow it,"
Aphrodite I finished up my work for the day and walked out of my office, shutting the door behind me before heading down the corridor to Lara's office. I found her arranging the open files sprawled haphazardly on her desk. She smiled when she saw me walk in, and I returned it with a wave.“Are you ready?” I asked, leaning against the door frame with a raised brow.“Yep,” she replied, stacking the last file in its place in the cabinet. She picked up her handbag and rounded her desk, and I walked out with Lara in tow. I nodded at the security on my way out, and we headed to our parked car.“We should drop by the mall on the way; there's something I want to get,” she said. I arched my brow at her but mumbled an "okay" before pulling out of the driveway.I glanced at my side mirror, noting the tinted SUV filled with pack warriors trailing behind us for security. I rolled my eyes and looked away, but said nothing. Even though I wasn't comfortable with the entourage, I understood it was fo
Aphrodite: The past week with Asher has been spent in ignorant bliss. Despite the threat looming over my head, it took a while to come to terms with the fact that I literally had a bounty on my head. Asher's presence and support helped me momentarily forget about it. I dropped the book I'd been staring at absent-mindedly and walked into the open bathroom. Asher glanced at me when I walked in and smiled before looking back in the mirror, proceeding to drag a razor down his jawline, which was covered with shaving foam. “Let me,” I mumbled, taking the blade from his hand. He conceded, his hand snaking around my waist and pulling me flush against his chest. I stood on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips before reaching up and gently dragging the razor across his jawline. I rinsed it under the running tap and repeated the process. “I have to go into work today,” I murmured, watching his reflection as his brows furrowed in concern. “So soon?” he asked, and I chuckled, nodding slo
Asher I narrowed my eyes at him, but his gaze was fixed on my mate, staring at her with a condescending air. It made my blood boil with anger, but I held back from lashing out. I bit down on my tongue so hard that I tasted blood and clenched my fists until they turned white.“She’s not a bitch, Father. She’s my mate. Show some respect,” I growled, my eyes flashing with anger.Father's gaze flicked to our joined hands, his expression hardening at the sight of my mother's ring on Aphrodite's finger.“Respect? You threw away a perfectly good alliance for her,” he sneered, taking a slow drag from his cigar.“What you did yesterday has cost us an important alliance, and the only way you would marry this woman is over my dead body,” he seethed, and I scoffed.“Look at her. She was your matchmaker, and now she's your mate,” he chuckled dryly, his eyes devoid of mirth.“I don't smell her rank. Are you sure she's not just a conniving bitch using you for your power?” He snapped, his eyes zeroi
Aphrodite I sat by my windowsill, staring into the mysterious woods that remained undisturbed by the ills of this world. The tree branches swayed gently in the wind, which caressed my cheeks.I sighed in contentment as I inhaled the sweet morning air, the rays of sunshine casting a warm glow over my fingers resting on the rim of the window.I jumped in surprise when droplets of water fell over my skin and gasped, turning back to see a wet Asher smiling down at me. He had a white towel wrapped around his waist while his dark hair dripped water over his hard chest as he hovered over me.I squealed when he shook his head again, droplets from his hair spraying across my face.“Asher,” I whined playfully, and he chuckled, leaning down and pulling my body flush against his.“You're going to get me wet,” I complained, and he smirked down at me mischievously.“Am I? Can I see for myself?” He rumbled in a deep baritone that sent heat travelling down south instantly, and I gasped.“Not here,”
Aphrodite I sighed contentedly as I admired the soft glow of the moon from my open window, its milky rays spilling across the windowsill, and the steady rhythm of Asher's heartbeat lulled me towards sleep.He held me so close, his fingers drawing lazy circles on my back as I stared ahead, deep in thought.“You're curious, aren't you? I know you have so many questions. I can feel it through our bond,” he murmured. I blinked slowly, clearing the haze of my thoughts, and looked up at him with my chin resting on his broad chest. He stared down at me, waiting for my response.“Yes. I'm curious how you found out I was a Devil Wolf and about the low possibility of me having children,” I murmured. He hummed, swallowing as he held me closer.“I suspected for a while," he began softly, "but I only found out when Sophia poisoned your necklace.” I gasped in realisation of his words; that must be why the poison didn't do as much damage as it did to Hilda.He paused, brushing a strand of hair away
Aphrodite My mother went down on her knees in front of Asher, to my utter surprise and to Asher's horror.“Mom, what are you doing?!” I gasped, trying to reach for her, but she dodged my outstretched arm and clutched Asher's dress pants over his knee.“I beg of you, King Asher, don't hurt my daughter,” she cried desperately. The sight of my mother kneeling and begging for my life broke my heart into a million pieces.“Please!” she whimpered. “I... I will do anything!” she stuttered desperately. "It's all my fault. If only I hadn't persuaded her into seducing you, this wouldn't have happened. Please kill me instead, but don't hurt my daughter. She is still young and has her whole life ahead of her. Yes, she is a Devil Wolf, but I swear, my baby girl isn't a monster," she lamented.Asher, who had been stunned into silence the whole time, crouched down to her level, his gaze levelling with hers. He reached out, gently taking my mother's trembling hands in his."Mrs. Johnson,” he began,
Aphrodite I walked into the house through the back door, still a little shaken from my encounter with the strange black wolf that seemed eerily familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. As I stepped into the living room, my gaze locked with Asher's, and I froze on the spot.He said he wouldn't chase after me again.I blinked rapidly to ensure it was actually Asher seated in my freaking living room, casually sipping orange juice, and not just my eyes playing tricks on me. But sure as hell, it was real."What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped, closing the distance between us, but my mom intervened, stopping me halfway."Is that any way to welcome your guest?" my mom scolded, and I pinned her with an incredulous stare. Meanwhile, Asher continued sipping his orange juice quietly, with a smug smile painted on his face."But Mom—" She cut me off immediately, shooing me away into the kitchen."Go on, prepare something for him while I keep him company," she whispered. I gave her an are
AsherI lied.I lied when I threatened never to go after her again because the moment Aphrodite walked out that door, I knew I couldn't let her go. What a fool I was to think I could.I went after her, cursing under my breath, when a server almost ran into me at the doorway. His eyes widened when he saw the mess behind me, but before he could say a word, I reached into the pocket of my dress pants and slapped a couple of hundred-dollar bills into his hand.He was stunned, but I ignored him and hurried down to catch up with her. By the time I got out of the restaurant, she was nowhere to be seen.I cussed, running my fingers through my hair and pulling at the roots in frustration. I stood there for a while before walking towards my parked car, dejectedly unlocking it, and then zooming off towards the mansion, hoping to fuck some sense to Aphrodite if needed.The idea of spanking her and spreading her legs open on my office table seemed like a fitting punishment after what she had done
Aphrodite "I'll be right back, sir," I muttered under my breath as I unintentionally slammed the taxi door hard behind me and stomped up the stairs to my bedroom, tears blurring my vision.A sob threatened to break free through my throat, but I gritted my teeth, holding back the flood. I pushed the door open, ignoring Lara's gasp of surprise, and rushed into the walk-in closet.I yanked my already packed suitcase, almost bumping into Lara as I turned. She grabbed my shoulders to stop me from leaving. A worried expression marred her soft features, and her gaze searched my glossy eyes while I bit down hard on my tongue to curb the sobs that were at the threshold of my throat."Are you sure you can cope?" she asked softly. "Can you really bear to live without him? You know how strong the mate bond is." Her expression shifted to one of pity, and I shook my head, steeling my resolve."I have to, for his sake and mine," I murmured, sniffing. She nodded slowly, pulling me into a comforting