Chapter 2

Asher’s POV

Alpha Nicholas and his betas were already waiting at the entrance for our arrival, guess he’s waiting to see if we will show up. The tension in the air makes my wolf agitated, he is at alert, all senses heightened just in case the Alpha tries something funny.

I could feel the tension rolling off from Derek and Dale, they are also wary of the situation and also at alert incase of any ambush.

“Welcome Alpha Asher” Alpha Nicholas says as he walks up to us greeting, his betas by his side bowing their heads in respect to me.

“Thank you, let’s get down to business, shall we?” I asked, staring him down, a gesture to show I'm still in charge here, even on his territory.

“Right. Please come this way. Everyone is waiting at the clearing.” he gestured towards the entrance.

The pack enforcers and some other members of his pack are all gathered at the clearing, all to witness the exchange and serve as a witness to our deal.

 I could hear the murmuring and whispering of the pack members, no doubt in fear of what might happen if things don’t go smoothly. After all, I'm known as the Mad Alpha and my reputation precedes me.

Moving forward, I catch a scent so sweet and pure, a scent of bliss. My wolf purred within, urging me to trace where the scent is from and from who.

Standing right at the center of the crowd was a petite female, looking so meek and gentle. Slowly, cautiously, I allowed my gaze to drift to her. Studying her blond hair, highlighted with silver strands, cascading around her shoulders in loose waves.

Her dark eyebrows arch over her midnight dark eyes that ensnare me. She wears a simple pair of blue jeans that hug her curves and show the swell of her ass and a pink sweater that accentuates the swell of her breasts.

This woman’s sweet scent of vanilla and roses cocoons me in a rippling blanket of fire, engulfing me in heat. Mine. My wolf growls in the back of my head. A wave of possessiveness hits me at once, making me wince.

How can this be after years of searching for my mate and here she is standing right in front of me, looking so scared and anxious, a feeling my wolf doesn’t like, because he snarls.

Every fiber of my being wants to claim her right here in front of everyone and declare her as my own. Mine. Mine. Mine. Everything about her calls to me not only the wolf inside but the man as well.

She’s perfection personified and I’ve never wanted a woman as badly as I want her. I could sense my betas trying to communicate with me through our mind link, no doubt they could feel the change in my emotions and knew something was up.

“Asher, you good?” Derek asked 

“Is something wrong Alpha, we could sense the change. Is there a problem with the female standing before you? Everyone is starting to stare” Dale said, scanning the environment.

“I found my mate, guys. My mate is standing right in front of me now”

“What” from Dale

“Shit! What’s going to happen with the deal” Derek asked

I want to know why my mate is bound with chains on her hands and feet like a fucking slave. My wolf seems so furious at that and I agree with him on that. No one gets to treat our mate like that. My expression turns murderous, wanting to tear apart those who bound her with chains.

Raven's POV

From the expression and look on Asher’s face, I could feel him trying to make sense of the situation, the wheels turning in his head. His eyes seem to grow distant for a while like he’s communicating something to his betas through the mind link.

Suddenly, his expression changes from longing and want to that of fury. Anger radiating from him, even the pack could feel it too, from the way they seem to scurry back away from him. Scared of him.

My father seemed tense and shocked. Sweat trickled down my back. Have I done something wrong? What could suddenly be wrong? I thought, from my side eye I could see my mother glaring at me as if this was all my fault.

“What’s the meaning of this”. Asher asked in a booming voice 

“How dare you bind my mate with chains on her hands and legs like a fucking slave”. He directs his words to my father, who seem to flinch at his anger .

My father looked so scared right now, if not for the situation we are in i’d be laughing right now at the look on his face.

I didn’t think Asher would claim me as his mate right in front of everyone so soon. Right, he still doesn’t know I'm a latent wolf. Once he finds out, I'm sure he won’t want me anymore.

“What do you mean your mate Alpha Asher. That’s my daughter there who is supposed to go with you today as the exchange”. My father replies looking so anxious and scared.

“You mean your daughter who you sold to me to save yourself right?” Asher snarled at him and my wolf rolled with happiness, clearly liking his show of dominance and claim for her.

“I didn’t know she was your mate. She is just a latent wolf, not useful for anything, she can’t even change into her wolf form”. My father says with so much disgust on his face.

“Don’t you dare speak to my mate like that ever again or I'll have your head for it. How dare you disrespect her right in front of me. Is this how you’ve been treating her?” Asher asked, looking at all the pack members present. None of them look him in the eye.