Sheryl’s POV“Sheryl?” Ethan said, staring at me in surprise as I stood outside the Calypso packhouse.I felt my face grow warm as he stared at me.I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain why I was here. Do I tell him I was worried about Ashton? No. I couldn’t say that. “What are you doing here?” He finally asked after it was clear that I wasn’t going to speak. “Professor Ashton wasn’t in class today and I wanted to make sure he was okay,” I answered. My voice sounded distant and small when I spoke. I hated that I was feeling weak right now. Ethan raised his brows as he stared around my face. “You traveled this far to check on him?” He asked. I wasn’t sure how to answer that, but thankfully, he didn’t wait for me to do so. “He has some family problems,” he explained. “He’s been at the hospital all morning with his mother.” Now it was my turn to raise my brows; I rose my gaze to meet his and saw the serious expression on hisface. “His mother?” I asked. Ashton hasn’t really spoken abo
Ashton’s POVI sat on the loveseat on the far side of the art gallery while Sheryl sat in front of her canvas. She had this perplexed look in her eyes as she fixated her gaze on her painting. I had given her some old clothes soshe wouldn’t get paint all over her outfit, along with an apron. Her tongue was out slightly, touching the top of her lip, as she often did while concentrating. I hadtaken note of that while watching her. She bit onto her bottom lip slightly, tugging at it between herteeth. I watched as it grew red and swollen from the intensity of her bite and I wondered at what point she would release it. She had paint smeared on her features as she splattered the brush across the canvas.It’s been a couple of hours since we began the painting; she had to have been almost done by now. “What happened to you wanting to reject her?” Max asked with a little humor in his voice.It was true that I was planning on going to the academy to reject her, but as I got close to the packh
Sheryl’s POVI took a step backward as children came running toward me. Their excited faces lit up as they got closer. “I can’t believe we are actually meeting you!” One of the girls said happily. “You are a legend aroundhere!”“A legend?” I asked, raising my brows in pure confusion. I glanced over at Dee who had a smile on herface. “I don’t understand…”“You fought the bad guys and saved that woman!” One of the kids explained. “Everybody is talkingabout it!”“Word travels fast,” Dee said with a shrug. “You are like a hero to the kids.”“We want to be just like you!”“Teach us how to fight! “We want to fight like the incredible Sheryl!”I must have looked as shocked as I felt because Dee started laughing at my expression as she stoodbeside me. “Can you teach us, Sheryl?” One of the kids asked again.I always had a soft spot for children and saying no to them didn’t sit right with me. As I stared around at all the eager faces, I knew it would be impossible to refuse them this. “Of
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