Chapter 100: Progress.

Kira’s POV

I paced my vast room, my whole body tensed as I waited for some news. I need good news, I've heard enough of bad news.

"Good news," Jonas said, striding into the room, a triumphant gleam in his eye. "The spies you and Lord Ashton planted are working. We’ve intercepted some intel...seems the triplets are arguing among themselves. Your plan is destabilizing them.”

My breath caught for a moment. “The spies…” I murmured, recalling Ashton’s insistence on planting two weeks ago. I hadn’t believed it would work. “What are they arguing about?”

Jonas hesitated. “We’re still gathering details, but it’s clear they don’t fully trust each other anymore. The cracks are forming.”

A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. I nodded, dismissing Jonas with a wave of my hand, and he left me to my thoughts.

"You see, together with Ashton, you achieved something you haven't been able to achieve, only if you'll trust him fully." Mo said and I just shrugged and dropped on my bed. She's right and I was happy that my mission was seeing a little light, Ashton was extremely smart and his connection is something unimaginable, both in the human world and the supernatural realm, I have no idea how he gets so much power, it was with his connection that we were able to plant some spies.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, leaning back against the plush pillows of my bed. The news Jonas had delivered replayed in my head like a sweet melody. The triplets—those indestructible monsters—were finally showing signs of weakness.

“You hear that, Mo?” I muttered aloud, staring at the ceiling. “Cracks are forming.”

Morana hummed in agreement, her voice sharp but pleased. “And you know why? Because for once, you listened. Ashton’s plan is working.”

I rolled onto my side, glaring at the empty space beside me. “Don’t start.”

“Why not?” she challenged, her tone dripping with smug satisfaction. “Admit it, Kira. You can’t do this alone, and Ashton is proving that. He’s not just your mate, he’s your greatest ally.”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. As much as I hated to admit it, Morana was right. Ashton’s connections, his calculated strategies...they had been instrumental. Without him, I’d still be running in circles, slamming against walls I couldn’t break through.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke through my thoughts. The door creaked open, and Ashton strolled in, his usual confidence exuding from every pore. His sharp suit was immaculate, and his piercing eyes were locked on me, a small smirk playing on his lips.

“Well?” he asked, stopping at the foot of the bed. “Did Jonas give you the update?”

I nodded, sitting up and crossing my arms. “It’s working. Your idea… it’s working.”

Ashton’s smirk widened, but he didn’t gloat. “Of course it is. Did you doubt me?”

“I always doubt you,” I shot back, though my tone lacked venom. “But I’ll admit this was a good move.”

He chuckled, leaning casually against the bedpost. “High praise coming from you.”

I ignored his teasing, my mind already spinning with possibilities. “If we can keep planting seeds of distrust, the triplets will unravel. My knowledge of what can easily affect them and your connections, it's definitely gonna work. Once they’re divided—”

“We strike,” Ashton finished, his voice firm. “But you’re nervous.”

I froze, my eyes narrowing at him. “I’m not nervous.”

“You are,” he countered, stepping closer. “I can see it. You’re tapping your fingers on the sheets. You do that when you’re worried.”

I glanced down at my hand, realizing he was right. Damn him for knowing me so well.

“It’s nothing,” I said, brushing it off.

“Kira,” he said softly, his voice a gentle caress that made my defenses waver. “Why are you so desperate to bring them down? What did they do to you?”

I stiffened, my walls slamming back into place. “This isn’t about me. Just stop probing me”

“Bullshit,” he said, moving to sit beside me on the bed. “You don’t go after someone with this kind of fire unless it’s personal. So, what is it? What are you not telling me?”

I turned away, refusing to meet his gaze. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is taking them down.”

“As your partner—your mate—I think it does matter,” he pressed.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Drop it, Ashton.”

He didn’t move. “I’m not dropping it.”

Before I could argue, his hand cupped my chin, gently turning my face toward his. His gaze was intense, filled with something I didn’t want to name. “Kira, whatever it is, I can handle it. Trust me.”

Something in his tone, in his eyes, made my resolve waver. But instead of giving him an answer, I leaned forward and kissed him.

It was slow at first, a test, but when he responded, deepening the kiss, I let myself get lost in it. His hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer as his warmth surrounded me. For a moment, I forgot about the triplets, the blood moon, the impending danger.

But when the kiss broke, reality came rushing back. I pulled away, resting my forehead against his. “You’re too good at this, you know.”

He smirked, his hands still holding me close. “At what?”

“Making me forget why I don’t trust people,” I admitted softly.

He chuckled, his lips brushing against my temple. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere, Kira. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Oh yeah, but I still don’t want anything to do with you,” I said, my voice sharp as I pulled away. “You offered to help me, and I really appreciate that, but I don’t want the bond. I have so much on me and—”

Before I could finish, Ashton moved with that infuriating speed of his, pinning me against the bed. His weight was firm but not crushing, his hands bracketing my wrists above my head. His eyes locked onto mine, and to my shock, I saw them flicker...gold swirling into their usual piercing blue, a dangerous glint I hadn’t seen before.

“Ashton, what the hell are you doing?” I snapped, struggling against his hold, but he didn’t budge.

“You can run all you want, Kira,” he said, his voice low and deadly, sending shivers down my spine. “Push me away, fight me, curse me...but I’m not stopping. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to. You’re mine, and I’m yours. No matter how much you try to deny it.”

His words sent a jolt of something through me, something I didn’t want to name. My heart raced, my breaths quickening as his gaze bore into me. “You’re stupid, Ashton,” I hissed, trying to twist free. “You’re foolish, and—”

He silenced me with his lips.

The kiss was fierce, all-consuming, and utterly possessive. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a statement, a declaration that no matter how much I tried to push him away, he wouldn’t let me.

My body betrayed me before my mind could catch up. Heat pooled low in my stomach, my heart hammering as his mouth claimed mine. I hated the way he made me feel, hated the way my body responded to him. But as much as I wanted to resist, I couldn’t.

When he finally pulled back, his breath mingling with mine, he smirked, his eyes still glowing faintly. “You can call me stupid all you want, Kira. But we both know you don’t want me to leave.”

I glared at him, trying to ignore the way my pulse thrummed in my ears. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re beautiful when you’re angry,” he countered, his voice softening as his hand trailed down to cup my cheek. “Stop fighting this, Kira. Stop fighting me. I’m not going anywhere, and deep down, you don’t want me to.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn’t come. Damn him for being right. Damn him for making me feel this way.

Instead, I did the only thing I could. I kissed him again, pouring every ounce of frustration, desire, and confusion into that kiss. If he wanted to play with fire, I’d make sure he burned.

Author's Note

Hello to any reader here, I really appreciate the fact that you've come this far in the story, I want to say thank you so much, thanks for investing your money here, please do well to comment, share your reviews in the review centre about how you feel about this story, special thanks to my very first and second reader who voted (Loopylowla and Tezza) then thanks Alana and Jossie for commenting, it means a lot, thank you ❤❤.