Ashton’s POV What the hell was I doing? Everything about her just tastes and smells so good. Her lips are soft and sweet. I thought she would tryto push me off her, but she didn’t. She stood limp against the wall; he eyes fluttered shut as soon as I made contact with her.I bit onto her bottom lip; something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.I nibbled on it; drawing it firmly into my mouth and sucking on it like it was a piece of candy. Once I released it, I paused the kiss.I didn’t push it any further than that. As much as I wanted to continue the embrace, I had to stop myself. She was breathing heavily; I watched as her chest heaved up and down. Her eyes remained closed, andher fair complexion was turning cherry red. “Our mate is growing extremely warm. If you aren’t careful, she will go into heat.” No.I couldn’t let that happen. I had to get out of here. “Take a cold shower,” I muttered.I left without another word. …Sheryl’s POV“Oh, my goddess!!!” Val screamed, rattling m
Sheryl’s POV“Is that Professor Ashton?” Miss Grace asked in a whisper as she slowly stood to her feet.I felt the blood rushing to my head as I stared at the portrait of Ashton. This meant the painting I had for this class was still in my room. How did I make such a terrible mistake like this?“He’s so handsome,” Val breathed lovingly as we took in the picture.I did a really good job at capturing every one of Ashton’s charming features. He had so much personalityin his dark eyes that made my stomach flip.I had to think of something to say, and quickly. “Yes,” I answered, turning toward the class of startled and curious eyes. “This is Alpha Ashton. He’sincredibly inspirational. He’s the youngest Alpha and my father speaks highly of him. He has hugeambitions. I also found out recently that he’s caring for his ill mother, on top of being an incredible professor. I don’t know how he has time to sleep, honestly. But I find myself wanting to be like him. He might not be my biggest ins
Sheryl’s POVI can’t believe I messed up so badly that I presented Ashton’s portrait as my project in class. He was never going to forgive me for this. Maybe if I switched the portraits after hours.I sat in the student lounge which was oddly empty, and I could gather my thoughts. I was doing some homework, but I found it difficult to concentrate.I still hadn’t heard from Ashton all morning or afternoon and I was starting to wonder if he was going toreturn. He had to return; I still had his portrait. He would want that back so he could give it to his mother. Unless something happened…. Just as I was about to pull out my phone, I felt his presence. His scent roamed through the loungecausing my heart to pick up speed. Val perked her head up, taking in his scent as it grew more potent.I turned and saw him taking long strides through the lounge and in my direction. My mouth hung open when his aura was practically glowing around him. His dark eyes poured into me and I saw a smirk appea
Ashton’s POVThis portrait was supposed to be a gift to my mother, and she used it for her art project. Was this her plan this whole time? Did she ever intend to give this portrait back to me? How could she think this was okay? Now everyone was going to think I gave her special favors.The look Miss Grace was giving me was of concern; it was clear she had no idea that I was blindsidedlike this.If I told her the truth, then Sheryl would get in trouble, and she would fail this class. Painting meant a lot to her as an Art major.I couldn’t take that away from her. “Oh yes,” I said, taking a step away from the painting. “I forgot she painted that. It was a while ago. Good for her though for getting a good grade.” Miss Grace rose her brows. “So, you really did permit her to use this painting as her project? You’re okay with this?”“I don’t think Sheryl is the type to lie, do you? I’ve only been her professor for a short time, but she seemslike a good student. I’m glad she looks up to me
Sheryl’s POVI didn’t know where else to go other than the forest. As soon as the electricity left my fingers and the shadows lifted from the ground, I knew I needed toisolate myself until it ended.I covered my head and ran from the school; I needed to get far away. But not too far. I still needed to be in a reachable area in case I needed somebody. What I wouldn’t give to have my mother with me right now. She would know exactly what to do at this moment.I couldn’t stop the tears from falling down my face. This was humiliating.I am Sheryl. The daughter of Bastien and Selene.I was good at so much stuff and rarely failed. So, why was I struggling with this thing that’s supposed to be a part of who I am? Val had no answers for me which worried me that much more. Was I seriously just on my own with this?I felt a little better when I reached the forest. I kicked off my shoes and crouched to the ground. I felt ground, surrounded by woodland trees and dirt. My toes sunk into the dry di
Ashton’s POVBeta Ethan was right, their scent was strong in the forest that surrounded the Calypso pack. It reeked of outsiders, and I knew that scent all too well. They were my father’s followers; at least a couple of them. They had no reason to be lurking around my pack, they knew they weren’t welcome here. They knew I would tear them from limb to limb if I saw them with my own eyes. But yet, their scent is fresh. They were staking out. Waiting. But waiting for what? A heard a twig cracking as I continued my search in the forest.I’ve been out here for hours and haven’t come across a single wolf. It was becoming late, or early. It wouldn’t be long before the sun began to rise.I’m not sure they would stick around in the broad daylight.It was the night of the full moon so wolves were typically stronger when the moon shined down uponthem. I certainly felt stronger. Max wasn’t going to give up until we found those assholes though. He was hot on their trail; sniffing and searching ev
Sheryl’s POVI woke up with a start, glancing around my dark dorm room.It wasn’t like I had a bad dream or anything, but it certainly felt like I had. A feeling like this had never happened before.I glanced over at the clock, frowning that it was only 3 am. I glanced over at Rachel from across theroom and saw that she was sleeping soundly in her bed. My mother had left hours ago to return to Elysium, but I told her I would be going there over the weekend to work on practicing using my abilities. She told me as long as I keep calm, I can control them.I thought maybe this was just my abilities resurfacing, so I took a deep breath.It wasn’t until Val woke that I realized it wasn’t my abilities that were causing this feeling. Val’s words only confirmed my fears. “It’s our mate,” she gasped. “Something is wrong!” …I don’t know how I knew where he was. I shifted into my wolf form and allowed Val to take me to the Calypso pack. We raced through the quiet streets until we were enclosed
Ashton’s POVHer powers were truly incredible. I could no longer feel the sting of the dagger and the wound was completely healed. It was as if it was never there, to begin with. Sheryl used her powers so casually as if she’s done it a thousand times before, but I’m beginning to realizethat maybe she hasn’t. She didn’t say anything after I told her that she could use my portrait for her project; she trailed after me silently, keeping her head down. But I could sense that she was pleased. Max praised me for my generosity toward her. A small smile was tugging at her lips, but she was stifling it. She was afraid to show me any kind of emotion.I suppose I haven’t been making it very easy for her. Encountering the wolf who attacked my mother was only proof that Sheryl wasn’t safe, and I needed to do whatever I could to keep her safe. Even if it means rejecting her. “Funny how you haven’t rejected her yet,” Max teased. “Why is that?”“I’m just waiting for the right time,” I say to him in
“Earlier today,” I answered with a shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. “But you were busy taking Connie tolunch.”“When did you find out about this little vacation?”“It’s not a little vacation,” I said in return. “It’s a huge opportunity. Plus, I’ll be working as Cassie-Ann’s assistant the entire time. Plus, I could get into that school and really take my career to the next level.”“You can take it to the next level here too,” he said, still trying to process my words. “Why do you needto go across the world to do that?”“Because there’s no better school than the one in Monro,” I said, furrowing my own brows together as I stared over at his amazing side profile. He was so handsome no matter what the view. “Don’t you want me to succeed?”I said that last part using a small voice. I was afraid of his answer because it looked like he had beenthinking about it for a long while. However, he didn’t respond. “I was going to tell you about it…” I said in a softer tone. “I just didn’t think y
Sheryl’s POV My heart was racing in my chest because of the amount of adrenaline rushing through my veins. I hadnever done anything like this before but here I was, breaking somebody out of the hospital. “I can’t leave without knowing if Ryan is going to make it or not,” Rachel said, sliding out of bed. I couldhear the hurt in her voice, and it made me feel sad for her. “I’ll keep you updated,” I promised her. “But for right now, I need to get you out of here. I’m going tocall my dad when we are on the road. I won’t let them take you away to that awful place. You almost died the last time you were there. They should be investigated and shut down.”I still couldn’t believe a facility in a place that I love could be so cruel to other species. I had no ideathose with dark hearts could linger in Elysium. It was always such a loving place. Or maybe I have just been too blind to see what was in front of my face the whole time.I zipped her back and threw it over my shoulder as I made my
Sheryl’s POV“So, you are going to go away all summer?” Becca asked with large eyes as we sat in the studentlounge. “Yes, I think so,” I answered with a head nod. “It’ll be a good opportunity for me. Plus, my parent’s thinkit’ll be a good idea.”“What am I going to do all summer without you?” Becca pouted. “Rachel will probably spend thesummer at the hospital with Ryan.”“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” I chuckled, but then I frowned once I thought about Rachel. “Any word on how Ryan is?” I asked, peering over at her. She frowned as well and shook her head. “None yet,” she said. “But they are thinking about getting Rachel admitted into a rehab facility. They want to bring her back to the one she was in a few years ago.”“What?” I gasped, my heart falling into my stomach. “I had no idea she was even in rehab before. But they say she went to some place in Elysium,” Beccasaid, thinking more about it. “They want to send her back. I don’t think the doctors talked to her aboutit
Ashton’s POV“Today, I’ll be teaching you how to shift in the air,” I announced to the class of students. “It’s all in thelegs. We kick off from the ground and then begin the shift right when the legs are being pushed off the ground.”I demonstrated with ease, and I was met with applause. “This is used mainly for sneak attacks. I want you to try and sneak attack your partners. Trade-off eachround.” Everyone went with their partners to a different section of the arena for some space. Sheryl stood in the distance, waiting for me because I’m her partner. We hadn’t spoken since my confession at the art show, and I was hoping we wouldn’t have to talk aboutthis again. It was a moment of weakness on my part, and it wasn’t something I was going to allow tohappen again. Connie was right the other day when she said I needed to stay away from Sheryl. It was for her own good. But her tight yoga pants and a tank top that she wore, hugged her body and fit around her every curveso perfectly tha
Sheryl’s POV“An election? This student committee was my idea,” I said, staring between all the school board’s faces until my eyes landed on Sarah who stared at me with a smug grin.I could tell that her intentions weren’t pure, and my stomach was forming into a tight knot. “Yes, but it’s a student committee. Meaning we need to give all students a chance to—”“Take my role as the leader?” I interrupted; they all looked startled by my stubbornness. I wasn’ttypically a stubborn person like this, but I was honestly hurt that it was this easy for them to just replace me. Sarah folded her arms across her chest. “I’ve done a lot of wrongs while I’ve been at this school. This gives me the chance to do somethinggood for once,” she said, eyeing me carefully. That smug look was still in her eyes though. She was pulling their strings. She didn’t care about this committee; she just didn’t want me to have it. “If I lose, where does that leave me?”“Worried you’ll lose?” Sarah asked, a grin appea
Ashton’s POV“You went to the art show, Ashton?” Connie nearly hissed, stepping in front of me as I sat on the couch in my living room. “What are you even still doing here, Connie?” I muttered, kicking off my shoes. “Didn’t your contract end a week ago?” She pouted, folding her arms across her chest. “Yes,” she answered. “But I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’m in between jobs and my next contract doesn’t start for another couple of weeks.”“So, why can’t you stay elsewhere?”“I don’t know anyone on this part of the continent,” Connie said, shaking her head. “You are my onlyfriend in town, and I’d like to stay close to you. Is that such a crime?”“Are you going to be a pest the entire time?” I asked, but I meant it almost teasingly despite how dry my tone was. Connie could see through my humor right away though and rolled her eyes as she sat beside me. “You are trying to avoid the conversation,” Connie pointed out, reminding me just how well she knew me. “You went to the art show.”
Sheryl’s POV What did he just say?I stared up at him with wide and shocked eyes. I could hardly breathe standing in front of him. We were outside and the air was starting to get brisk.It was growing late in the evening and only the faint lighting of the moon, hidden behind a few clouds, lit up the ground around us. “I can’t seem to get you out of my head,” Ashton repeated, keeping his eyes locked on mine. “And that’s a problem.”I wanted to say something to him, anything, but no words were coming into my head. I couldn’t believe he was saying such a thing. “Ashton, I—” Before I could utter a single word more, he stepped closer to me, closing the small gap that sat between us. He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck to hold my head in place as he paced hisforehead against mine. His breathing slowed down to match mine and his eyes shut for a brief moment before he openedthem and gazed down at my lips.I wanted to stand on my toes and kiss him; I didn’t know what else to say o
Sheryl’s POVThere was a part of me that was hoping that Ashton wouldn’t show up. Emily and Kate were especially happy to meet him when I told them he agreed to come. We spent most of the morning setting up the gallery for the show. The caterers arrived just in time toset up their stations for food and drinks and per request, Brody arrived with his guitar. After talking with Brody over time, I discovered that he was huge into music and that it was a passion of his. I heard him playing in the student lounge and I knew he would be perfect entertainment for the art show. “Where should I set up?” He asked, holding up his red velvet guitar case. “I’ll show you,” I said, walking toward a secluded area where a few paintings were set up. “You can set up your station however you want,” I told him with a kind smile. “Hey, Sheryl! Can you help me place napkins around the tables?” Cassidy-Ann asked from across the room.I nodded to her and went to grab the napkins in the back room. As I was in t
Sheryl’s POV“Absolutely not!!!” Val growled with fury boiling through her. I had to clutch the desk to keep her tameand not lose control. “We will not be introducing these whores to our mate!!”“Maybe he would finally reject us if we did though,” I said, trying to reason with her. Yes, it was painful to think about, but this might be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps this was the pushAshton needed to finally reject us and let us live our lives without the burden of being his mate. My stomach was in a complete knot as I stared around at the eager faces that stared back at me. They were waiting for an answer and Val wasn’t letting me say anything to them. “We know he’s unmated because he hasn’t found his mate yet. We heard through a grapevine that he’s on the market for a chosen mate,” one of the chuckled. “Yeah, that famous singer Bethany is staying with him, trying to get him to choose her. She has a better chance than anybody, but we would also like a shot.”I couldn’t believe what