Asher's POV The run with Raven was therapeutic, I needed the release. It's been far too long and I could finally run with my mate.My wolf wanted to mount her and claim her in the woods but I had to hold him back. Raven's not ready yet for that.She's still getting used to being in her wolf form. I could see her eyes light up in excitement when I suggested the run.The tension in her shoulders released after the run. She also needed it as I did.“Thank you for today Asher, I didn't realize I needed the run.” She says, with a smile on her face.“We should have done that since, guess with everything that had been happening I forgot”. I say, walking over to the bed.“Yeah, I know, but I had fun today. We should do it often and soon.” She says, as she dries her hair.“Of course we will. Come here.” I say, patting the bed. She walks over, lying down beside me.I place her head on my chest, kissing the top of her head. She hums in content and snuggles closer to me.“Asher” she says“Yes” I
Raven's POV I don't know how long I slept for, I can't remember all that happened. I remember waking up with the need to build my nest.I went all frenzy trying to arrange Asher's clothes and pillows to build the perfect nest and then Asher's…Asher's scent.The scent of my mate, the haze of lust and the need to mate completely took over and all I wanted and craved was the knot of my mate.The sex, that was intense. I remember bits and bits of it. I can't imagine I went all wild on Asher and my wolf staking her claim on him.I can only blame it on my heat. I've never had one this intense before. I usually use heat suppression drugs to suppress my heat.But after mating with Asher, I didn't use them anymore. The smell of pancakes brings my attention back to the present.Asher walks in holding a tray containing pancakes, waffles and an orange juice.I perk up at the smell of the food and the sight of Asher's shirtless look.I guess my heat period isn't completely over yet, heat pools at
Asher's POV When I got the message from Derek to come down to the office without Raven, I knew they had found something.It had to involve Nicholas, Raven's father. I quickly excused myself and Raven didn't seem to mind or think much about it .Clearly exhausted from her heat and needing to rest. She just hummed out a reply. It's a good thing for me anyway.“Talk to me, what's going on?” I ask, as I enter the office, going straight to my seat.Both Derek and Dale were already seated in the seats opposite mine. Connor and Liam leaning against the window frame with their legs crossed and arms folded.Lucian has his head buried in his laptop in the seat close to the bookshelf. “Lucian has something to show up.” Derek says, pointing at Lucian.Lucian raises his head at the sound of his name, bringing his laptop over to my desk, he adjusts the frame of his glasses on his nose.“Last night, I was finally able to get a clearer video feed on Alpha Sean's pack.” He says, turning the laptop
Raven's POV I'm supposed to meet up with Bryon this Friday. We picked a middle point, not too close to my pack and too close to his.We agreed to meet somewhere in the woods, a neutral ground where no one will suspect a thing or see us.Bryon is meant to try to sneak me into the foundation so I can access those boxes. I had to get concrete evidence before we could confront father and those he is working with.But first I need to figure out a way to leave the house without alerting anyone. If I say I'm going out, Asher will want someone to follow me and guide me. Ever since Isla's attack he has become more strict with my security and safety.That's true, I have not heard anything about Isla and her friends since the day of the attack. I hope Asher kept his word and didn't kill them. I will have to ask him about it later.First I need to come up with something, an excuse to leave the house alone for at least an hour. What should I do? What can I say? Asher strolls in a few minutes
Asher's POV First I visited Jason's home. He was devastated by what happened to his wife. He broke down in tears In front of me, he was trying to be strong for his children.I asked about them and he said he sent them to their aunt's place for a while till their mother was fully healed.At least they are safe there, that's all that matters. Later that day, I called an emergency meeting with my enforcers and betas.Derek and Liam were the first to arrive, then Lucian and Dale and finally Connor arrived.They all say down, all having a brooding expression on their faces.“I'm sure you all know why I called for this meeting.” I say, leaning back in my seat. They all look up at me, nodding their heads.“Good, it seems we are all on the same page.”“How's Fiona doing now? Do you think she'll make it?” Lucian asks, with a concerned look on his face.“Arianna and King are doing their best to heal her. She was gravely injured, she sustained four broken ribs, dislocation in her shoulder, a
Raven's POV It's Friday, today's when I meet Bryon and we find out everything father's been up to.Asher's been acting strangely since he woke up and he has blocked me from his thoughts, so I can't tell what he's thinking.Something's up with him, I can feel it. I just hope he doesn't suspect what I'm about to do.I need this plan to go seamlessly without any problems. Just go in and out, simple.I know not telling Asher about it is not right, but if I l do, he wouldn't allow me do it.He will want to confront father himself and things will get all complicated and messy, and I don't want that.“Asher, where are you going?” I ask, sitting up in bed. Asher is all dressed in black.He has on a black leather pants and a black shirt. Who wears all black? And on a Friday, when not in mourning.“You awake Raven.” He says as he buttons up his shirt.“Yes, I've been awake for a while now.” I say.“So where are you going all dressed up in black. Did someone die? Or wait— no, it's not Fiona rig
Asher's POV Everything is going smoothly according to plan so far. Alpha Giovanni men are all surrounding the perimeters.Alpha Giovanni, Connor and Liam are also stationed close to the pack house.Dale, Derek and I are also sitting inside the car parked just outside Alpha Nicholas pack waiting for Jackson to go inside and do what he needs to do.We all have our comms hidden somewhere on our body to avoid suspicion.Adjusting my comms, “Lucian, Lucian, you there?” I call into my comm.“I can hear you Alpha.” He replies back.“Good, how are things going on your end? Hope nothing seems suspicious?” I ask.“No, everything is fine here. Alpha Jackson just went inside now.” He says.“Good, so let's wait for him to settle. We can listen to their conversation and know the best time to move in.”“Alright then.” He replies, then goes mute. I guess he's back to monitoring the security cameras.It's a little suspicious that Alpha Nicholas has very little security protecting his pack.“Don't you
Raven's POV “Axton, what are you doing down here?” Bryon asks, moving slightly towards me to shield me from his view.“Do I need your permission to come down here dearest brother?” Axton sneers .“No, that's not what I meant. I just…”“Who is behind you brother? What are you hiding from me?” Axton asks, interrupting Bryon.I shiver silently, adjusting my face cap, my back is turned towards him so he can't make out my face.“It's nothing, no one of importance.” Bryon says, trying to keep his voice steady.“Is that so?” Axton asks, moving closer. “Let me see then, why are you hiding the person? You're shielding the person.Don't you trust me brother? Is the person your girlfriend? Do you think I'll hurt her?” He asks, mockingly.If there's anything I know about my brother Axton, is that he's very smart and cunning just like our father.Trying to feign innocence now is not him at all. It will be difficult for Bryon to try to convince him to let us out of here.Not when he found us where
Raven's POV Pacing around Asher's room, thinking of everything that was said downstairs.I rub at my temple, feeling a headache forming.What they are asking of me is too much and difficult too. How do I do that? Explain to my best friend that I turn into a wolf sometimes, that I'm not entirely human and there's a world out there that contains shifters and a lot more.That's insane, but at the same time they have a point too. I've seen the way Maya looks at Derek, the way her eyes light up when he's around her and she hears his name.This is the first time I've seen her look truly happy with someone.I don't want to ruin that, I want my best friend to be happy too.And if what Asher thinks is right, that they might just be mate then it's highly expected for her to know who he is and the kind of person she's getting herself involved with.But how she's going to take it, is what I can't tell. I don't want to lose my best friend because of this.But I know keeping this from her will n
Raven's POV “Raven, Asher's here for you.” Maya called out to me from the door.I was washing the dishes we used to eat just now. “I'm coming.” I called right back.“She's coming, come in and have your seat.” I hear Maya say to him. I quickly finish up on the dishes and head straight to the sitting room.“I'll leave you guys alone now.” Maya pats me on my shoulders, winking at me before leaving for her room.“Hey,” I say, in greeting.“Hey.” He smiles up at me, patting the spot beside him for me to sit.I sit down beside him and he pulls me closer to him. “I've missed you.” He whispered into my ear.I shiver at the contact. “What? You saw me just a few hours ago, why miss me now?” I asked, a smile curving on my lips.“Raven, if I don't see you for just a second, I'll miss you. I need to have you with me constantly. Do you understand?” He regards me with golden eyes. I suck in my lips, nodding my head.“Good. Now don't suck your lips like that, it makes me want to do dirty that's to
Asher's POV “So, how did it go with Maya?” I asked Derek as soon as we settled down at home. Dale wasn't in sight, saying something about how he needed to sleep off the betrayal.So it's just me and Derek in the sitting room. “What are you talking about?’ he asked, feigning ignorance. I raise my brows at him.“Oh really! Don't start with me now, Derek. You know exactly what I'm talking about.”He takes a deep breath. “Actually, I really can't explain how it all happened, because I'm still shocked over the whole thing.We were together at the club and after I got your message not to come back home I decided we should all hang out at their house.That's how we got to their house. Dale, of course added wolf weed to our drink again, saying it will be best for us to be free and have enough fun.Then things got pretty heated after that. Dale was so out of it, he didn't realize we had started making out right beside him.We took things up to the room and that's all that happened. I don't
Raven's POV After eating the pancakes, Asher drove me back home. The door was opened when we got there.“Strange, did Maya forget to lock the door?” I wondered, looking back at Asher.“Hold on, let me.” He said, leading the way. He opened the door, shielding me behind his back.Asher suddenly stopped moving, making me smack my head on his back. “Ouch, why did you stop?” I ask, peering over his back to see what made him stop.Dale was spread out wide on the couch, snoring gently with a bottle of whiskey still in his hands and popcorn littered on the floor.My brows knitted together, “What's going on here?” I asked no one in particular. “And where's Maya?” Just as I was about to head upstairs and check for her, Derek emerged from the stairs in only pants and socks.He was shirtless and his hair messed up, his glasses nowhere to be found.He hasn't noticed us yet, still rubbing the sleep away from his eyes while yawning.“Well, good morning.” I say, startling him. My hands folded just
Asher's POV “Wake up for me,” I whispered gently on the back of her shoulder.“No, I don't want to.” She grumbled sleepily into the pillow.“Come on, Raven. Wake up.” I said gently again.“I just need a minute or an hour more perhaps.” She mumbled sleepily into the pillow.I kissed and licked her shoulder. “It's almost noon.”“What!” She sits up at once, eyes wide open In shock.“What's the time now?” She asked, facing me.“It's 11:30 am, almost noon. You haven't had anything to eat yet.” I told her.“What! How— I mean, how did I sleep for so long? I'm usually up by 7 or 8 latest.” She shakes her head, musing over how late she woke up.I kiss her on the cheek, “I must have worn you out then, because you slept so soundly, I didn't want to disturb you.And I loved hearing those cute sounds you make with your nose.” I say, scrunching up my nose.“I do not.” She says, giving me a pointed look.“Oh yes, you do. You need to hear yourself.” I snickered.“Asher, do not mock me this morning.
Raven's POV Seeing Asher standing in the club brought all kinds of emotions and feelings to me.At first, I was shocked and happy to see him, glad that he wasn't harmed or in any form of danger, that he was safe.Then those feelings changed to anger and disappointment. Disappointed because he just left without a word or anything.Anger, because he felt like he could leave and show up anytime he likes and demand things from me.I was livid with the statement he made while I was dancing with my handsome stranger. I was just starting to enjoy myself, letting go of all my worries, just for him to show up and ruin everything.I wasn't going to pay any attention to him before, until I saw how hard his wolf was riding him to give up control.I saw his bloodshot eyes and his fingernails elongated, I could hear the growl over the noise and knew things would turn pretty bad if I don't step in and handle it.That's why I asked the stranger with me to leave because his presence wasn't helping.
Asher's POV “Take your hands off her now.” The menace that slithered into my voice made Raven freeze and the man with her watched me warily.I'd spoken so softly, so steadily. But, the danger was there, sending a trickle of trepidation to anyone who heard me. “Do you know him?” The guy had the audacity to ask Raven. Raven stared at me dumbfounded, the look on her face morphs from that of shock to anger.She turns to the guy beside her, places her hands on his shoulder and smiles sweetly at him.“I have no idea who he is or what he wants.” She says to him and then turns to me.“If you want to dance with me, get in line. As you can see, I'm already with someone right now.” She scowls at me, annoyance all over her face.I know she's mad at me and she has every right to be but right now, I'm on the edge, my wolf is on the edge too.Ever since I found out she was here tonight, I've been riding on the edge of destruction.I came straight here form the pack, only to see some random guy ha
Raven's POV “Any news about them?” I ask Maya once I got into the car.Maya arrived at the bookshop not too long ago to pick me up from work.“Yes, I got an address to their house.” She answered, reversing the car out of the parking lot.“How were you able to get the address so quickly?” I asked.“Well, I asked around if anyone moved in recently and someone was kind enough and showed me the apartment where a group of guys just moved into.That's how I got it.” She says, winking at me. I shake my head at her. “Oh Maya, you're the best.” I say, smiling at her.“Should we go there now before going home?” She asked.“Alright, let's do that.” Maya drove over to the address. “This is it.” Maya points at the house before us.The house is huge, it's two times bigger than ours. Well, I'm not surprised. Asher never does things in moderation.“Let's go find out what's wrong.” She says, taking the lead.Maya knocked on the door repeatedly but no one answered.“I don't think anyone's at home.”
Raven's POV Today's appointment with the doctor was by 10:00 am and by 9:30 am I'm still waiting for Asher to show up.Yesterday, he asked where they could shift and go for a run because his wolf is getting antsy and I gave directions to where they could go, away from prying eyes.I've not heard from him since then. He promised to be here by 9:00 am but it's 9:30 am and he's still not here.“Asher still hasn't arrived?” Maya asked, coming down the stairs.“Not yet.” I say, staring at the window for any trace of his car.“Don't worry, he'll be here soon, he's probably just running late, maybe he slept in.” She says, pouring herself a cup of coffee.She chuckles when she sees me stretching my neck at the window. “You really are so eager to see him, uhn?” She says, sipping her coffee.I turn to face her. “What do you mean? Asher has never been late before. He's usually a little too early or right on time, never late. That's why I'm a little worried.” I explained to her.“Okay, but you