Bella's POV It felt like the world paused. I did not know what my fate was going to be and I did not want to look stupid asking Asher that question.Was I taking things too fast? I really couldn't say.I awkwardly stood there waiting for a reply. Are we going to do it? What is going to be my fate?"I do not really understand… could you repeat yourself again?" Asher looked me in the eye and smiled. He has now widened to see blue eyes and was staring at me in a funny way. I couldn't be more embarrassed. My cheeks were now moments away from turning blood red."You know.. I was just thinking… I don't know if ….what would you…oh goodness," I bit down on my lower lip. I was becoming too shy and I could feel the air in my lungs being stagnant."Come on, go ahead, say what is on your mind I won't bite, I promise."I watched Asher brighten up. He even gave me giggle. "I want to hear what's on your mind"I took a few deep breaths and gather the courage I had kept in myself from last month."You
I felt the tightness in my gut worsen. I could barely breathe. My chest rose and fell fast as my heart thudded twice as fast. I was scared. What was Asher going to do to me?"Asher. Like I said before, it's too early to be doing this. I think I'd like to take things slowly" my eyes started to waive. My fingers were also shaking."Nonsense!" Asher yelled. "Why would you think of that?!" He seemed upset at me. I felt my shoulders shrinking in. I was scared.Besides, I was aroused. His tempting lips and the distance between us wasnt helping matters at all. I tried to push him off me but my hands felt weak. I felt breathless."Please… alpha.." my voice faded.He waited for me to say something else but I was voiceless. I couldn't breathe not to mention utter a word. He was doing something to me.Asher must have taken my silence as a confirmation of his go ahead. He wasted no time in acting. Before I could blink, I saw Asher coming down on me.His grip on my waist tightened as his other ha
Bella's POV I stiffened. The sound of Asher's voice outside my door made me freeze. It was likely that he was there to finish off what he started."Asher please.. "A bang on the door jolted my memory. Claire looked horrified. She had no idea what had transpired between the alpha and me who was standing in front of her."Arabella, whats going on?" Claire whispered, "what have you done?!"I got on my knees. " Nothing.""Then why is the alpha banging at our door? Surely, you must have done something. Tell me"I got on all fours as I began to crawl to her."Claire, I did nothing. Keep your voice down"Claire couldn't hear me."Arabella, open this door. Don't force my hand. Come out" Asher shouted from outside. It seemed their whisper wasn't helping. He could still hear them."You have to let the alpha in. He is the leader after all. Let open the door, please" Claire begged. I could see terror in he eyes. She was still scared too, who wouldn't be? He was the alpha after all."Arabella!"
Arabella's POVMy cheeks blushed fully as I remained in a bent position unable to move. I had quickly bent over to pick the towel off the floor but bumped my head into Asher's head. He did the same and now, we were a few breaths away, looking into each other's eyes, lost in each other's time. It felt like time had stopped. His eyes fell first. He shifted his gaze from my eyes to my chest. it was then that I was brought back to reality–– I was naked. No! I was naked in front of a man. And it wasn't just any man, it was Asher. Alpha Asher.I quickly recovered my senses as I tried to force my limbs to move.I struggled but I eventually snatched the towell off the floor and without a moment to lose, I ran back inside of the rest room. I banged the door so hard, I was sure it would fall off but it didn't."Arabella" I heard his voice from the other side of the door. I felt so embarrassed. My cheeks were red. My hands went up to squeeze them. How could I have been so stupid?! "Arabella, I
"Give me your hand please " I heard him say to me. His pupils dilated as his eyelids opened more. Looking into his eyes, my heart wanted to pop out. He had such gorgeous eyes. Asher had reached out to grab my hand. He took my finger in his and proceeded to smile."I know I've been a little meant to you and all but I can assure you, I really like you"Slowly, the tightness in my chest began to relieve itself. It was soothing to hear him say those words to me.He pulled me closer to him but more gently."I was waiting for the right time to ask you to be my mate. I apologize if I was slow witted and didn't match up with your energy. It's just that I had a lot on my mind and I didn't want to rush things."He's saying yes to you.My wolf whispered to me.I couldn't believe it. Despite being as excited as I was to hear this news, I maintained my cool."So, what are you saying?" I was right to ask. Assuming things were not a part of me. I had to be clear on what he was saying."I didn't act
We followed Ava through the entrance and outside to where the cars had been parked.I let Arabella behind me as I cautiously watched my sister from every angle. Ava was not to be trusted."Here we are" She finally stopped in front of something covered. I took a good look at it and then back at her."What is this?""A gift for you and your bride of course, what were you expecting?* She smiled wryly. "I made sure I came prepared. This is my gift to you, dear little brother"I narrowed my eyes. She didn't see me as one, unfortunately.Left to Ava, I'm sure she wanted me dead."Thank you" I managed to say. Arabella came up from behind me and thanked her too. "We really appreciate your gift"Ava nodded. We nodded too and we were about to leave when she called for our attention. "Wait, aren't you guys going to open it too?"I stopped. Arabella stopped too."Is it necessary? Why can't we do that when we can?""Well, I want to see the look on your face. Aren't you the littlest of curious t
Asher's POVI heard the sobs of someone nearby. My mind woke fully to feel I was lying on a bed. I felt someone's hands on my stretched out arm. Someone was sad and I didn't know why. "He's alright, Miss Arabella. He just needs some rest and treatment. I will be here to check on him in an hour time"Someone walked into the room.Arabella was the one beside me. I wondered why they needed to check on me. What had happened?"Alright doctor"My wolf felt weak also. I could barely feel him inside of me. I tried to awaken but couldn't.I took a deep breath in and tried to recall what had happened before. The last time I was conscious was when I was having an engagement dinner for Arabella… Yes.I walked out of the hall and went to the woods to clear my head. I tried to smoke but couldn't and then I met her.But who was she?I couldn't recall. Last time I had my eyes opened, something was blown on my face. Something white and poisonous had come in contact with my eyes. I tried to wipe the
Asher's POV:I was ready to have a face off with Ava. She had gone past the line and this time, I wasn't going to respect that she was my senior. No! There would be nothing like that.Quickly, I closed my eyes to summon my wolf. He was still a little weak from the substance they had thrown at my face but he was still somewhere there.Ava saw me closing my eyes, she knew what I was doing."Are you trying to summon your wolf? Do you think that'll scare me?" " "Pfft!" She spat in my face, "that's the least of the things you can do to scare me." I heard.My anger heightened. Ava was testing me in every way possible. First, she raised the question of an alpha not being able to rule better because I lacked a mate. I had found Arabella and made her mine, now Ava was coming at me directly. I could no longer control myself. "I wasn't the one who poisoned you. Get over it!" She softly said."You liar!" I roared. I felt the pillar I was leaning on and rushed in her direction. Clenching my fis
Arabella's POVAfter feeding and tending to the triplets, we carefully escorted them to a secure safehouse in the basement of the attic. Ava insisted on staying with them, her protective instincts kicking in as she cradled our precious babies in her arms. With tears in my eyes, I kissed each of their foreheads, silently promising to return to them unharmed.As we left the safety of our makeshift sanctuary, the weight of impending conflict hung heavy in the air. The moon cast an eerie glow upon the forest, illuminating our path as we marched toward our destiny.The night whispered with the rustle of leaves, a symphony of anticipation and fear. We moved with purpose, each step a silent vow to protect our loved ones and rid the world of the darkness that threatened to consume us.Arriving at the rendezvous point, our allies stood ready, their eyes ablaze with determination. Jeremy, clad in the mantle of leadership, exuded a quiet confidence as he addressed the assembled group."We strike
Arabella's POVMy heart raced as the echoes of the ritual still lingered in my mind. The bond may have been severed, but either it didn't work or its remnants were imprinted on my senses. I turned to Asher, urgency etched across my face."We need to find Jeremy. He's in danger," I uttered, the gravity of the situation piercing through the newfound calmness.Without hesitation, my father led the way, his steps purposeful as we ventured back to the house but I stopped them. "I think he's in this direction," I shouted and they stopped."Noah, take them home. I'll go find my brother." My father suggested but I shook my head. Without me, they might never find him and I'll be restless. I had to go with them. We just had to be extra careful.The air seemed charged with an unspoken tension, and my instincts guided me toward Jeremy's location.As we moved deeper into the forest, a sense of foreboding enveloped us. The ominous rustling of leaves and distant echoes of a struggle sent shivers do
Arabella's POVIn the quiet of the nursery, surrounded by the soft breaths of the sleeping triplets, I grappled with the enormity of the revelations.I traced the patterns on the floor, lost in thought when Mary and her sisters materialized in the room. “Asher called me," Mary said, her eyes locking onto mine. "Your father explained the situation between you and the other Jere brother. “Is there a way to unlink us from each other? I don't want to be linked to him. And my blood, isn't there a way to remove that too?” I asked with hopeful eyes.“They asked me this and I will tell you the same thing I told them. Breaking a bond like yours is no easy feat. Only the witch who binds can unbind but she doesn't seem to be alive and with the help of my sisters and the rest of the coven, we'd try our best. I believe we can find a way.”Relief washed over me at the prospect of a solution. "Please, Mary, find a way”One of the sisters nodded, her expression serious. "First, we need to delve int
Arabella's POVI rushed to find Asher, my mind swirling with unanswered questions. As I entered the meeting room, Asher's concerned eyes met mine, and I knew he sensed that something was wrong."Dad needs us. There's something going on," I said, trying to convey the gravity of the situation.Asher nodded, immediately following me to my father's room. The atmosphere was tense as we entered, my father and Jeremy exchanging uneasy glances. My father gestured for us to sit, and as we did, he began to explain."As you already know, Jeremy and I are the Jere twins," he began, looking at his brother and then at me. "We've been around for more than three hundred years before I finally met your mom then had you. Before that time, the two of us used to rule, until there was a fight and he became a rogue. I couldn't bear to kill my own twin but I had to find a way and it came with its own consequences. With everyone's help, we were able to find the witch queen who explained that you were coming,
Arabella's POVAs I met Jeremy's gaze, a chill ran down my spine. The shared look of terror confirmed that what I had experienced wasn't merely a product of exhaustion. There was something more, something ominous lurking in the shadows."Jeremy," I whispered, my voice shaky. "What does it mean? Why would we both dream something so vivid and unsettling?"His eyes darted nervously, and for a moment, I wondered if he held a piece of the puzzle he wasn't ready to share. "Why did we have the same dream?" I asked and this time he opened his mouth to speak."We're connected. As for the dream, I don't know…"A surge of anxiety tightened my chest. "But what if it's a warning? What if something terrible is about to happen to Dad or you?"Jeremy hesitated, his jaw clenched. "We have to be careful. I think you should call your witch friend," he said, then turned around, an air of mystery following him as he left. "Don't bother him now, Ara," Asher sang in my ear as he saw that I was looking at t
Arabella's POVJeremiah's eyes held a mixture of sadness and regret as he regarded me. "Arabella, my dear, I've been trapped in this place for many years. Breaking the barrier at the door was only the first step. But now, we need the map that brought you here."I nodded, determined to free my father from this mysterious confinement. I retrieved the aged map from my Jeremy and handed it to him. As he studied it, a solemn expression crossed his face."This map is more than just a guide," he murmured. "It holds the key to the enchantment that keeps me here. We must decipher it together."I leaned closer, my eyes fixed on the intricate details of the map. "Tell me what to do, Father. I'll do whatever it takes to free you."He muttered a few incantations, his fingers tracing the lines on the map. Suddenly, the room seemed to shift, as if responding to whatever he was saying. A low hum filled the air, and the barrier that surrounded my father's room weakened."Arabella, my strength is fadin
Asher's POVJeremy led me to a secluded corner of the house, away from prying eyes and curious ears. The air was heavy with tension, and I fixed him with a glare that could pierce steel."Explain yourself," I demanded, my voice low and threatening. "What happened with Arabella? And why the hell is my sister claiming some... connection with you?"Jeremy ran a hand through his wet hair, raindrops falling onto the floor like a steady beat. "Look, Asher, I didn't plan for any of this. I found Arabella outside, unconscious. I have no idea why she was there or what caused her to faint. And as for your sister, Ava, I can't explain that either. It's not something I control."I scoffed, unconvinced. "You expect me to believe that? We've been through enough without adding mysterious mates and fainting episodes to the mix. I need answers."He sighed, a weariness in his eyes. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm not your enemy here. As for Ava, the connection she feels is real, even if it defies
Asher's POVAll of a sudden it began to rain heavily and we decided to go back inside.As I approached the entrance to our home, I noticed the lights were turned on. Thinking it was Jeremy, I ran in.Entering the living room, my eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before me. Jeremy stood there, his soaked figure revealing that he was in the storm outside. Yet, it wasn't the rain that held my attention, it was the limp form of Arabella he cradled in his arms."What the hell happened?" My voice came out, filled with shock and anger. I glanced between Arabella's unconscious form and Jeremy's stoic expression."She fainted," Jeremy explained calmly, his eyes meeting mine. "I found her like this outside. I didn't see you, so I brought her in."I could feel the heat rising within me. "Fainted? Why was she outside in the first place?""I don't know. She was just standing there, and then she collapsed. I did what I could to get her here quickly." "Call for the nurse. Now." My command cut
Arabella's POV"I don't know, Asher," I replied, my anxiety growing. "But I have a bad feeling about this. He just disappeared."Asher nodded, a stern expression on his face. "You stay here with the triplets. I'll gather some men, and we'll search the pack house and the surrounding area. We can't let him slip away when we are this close to finding what's going on."I watched as Asher hurriedly stood up, wore his clothes then left the room. Alone with the triplets, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach.The minutes felt like hours as I waited, listening to the distant sounds of footsteps and hushed voices. When Asher returned, his face wore a mix of frustration and concern. "We couldn't find him anywhere. It's like he vanished into thin air."I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling within me. "This is not good, Asher."Asher's gaze hardened. "We'll keep searching. But you need to stay here, Arabella. It's not safe for you to be wandering around