"You mean a lot to me too," she admitted, her voice soft, uncertain. He let out a shaky breath, relief flashing in his eyes. "Then tell me how to fix this. Tell me how to make it up to you." She wanted to tell him that he had already done enough—that just hearing him say these things was more than she ever thought she’d get. But she also knew that words weren’t always enough. She needed actions. She needed proof that he wouldn’t walk away again. "Stay," she said finally. "Just... stay." His hands trailed down to hers, fingers intertwining. "I’m not going anywhere." For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt seen. She wasn’t just some useless, fragile girl. He truly cared—about her, about how she felt. And that alone made her heart ache. Why did he care so much? Why did it matter to him?The thought of it was overwhelming. "Elena," he pressed, his voice lower, rougher now. "Did someone hurt you while I was gone?" A growl rumbled from deep within his chest as h
Asher’s Past "Asher, come here." Kade’s deep voice echoed down the hallway. Something about his tone seemed off. Was he angry? Curious, Asher moved toward him. "Yes, Kad—" The words stuck in his throat. His feet stopped mid-step. Confusion clouded his mind. Kade, his cousin, who was ten years older than Asher’s eight-year-old self, stood there with his fist raised high. On the floor, a small girl trembled. One of her eyes was swollen, dark purple bruising the delicate skin. It looked painful, unbearably so. She whimpered softly, and Asher felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. Maybe they had been playing, and she fell? Maybe Kade wanted him to help her up? Asher took a step forward, reaching out—but before he could, Kade’s fist came down, striking the girl’s face. A sharp, piercing scream shattered the air. Asher froze, his eyes widening in horror. Blood trickled from the girl's lip, bright red against her pale skin. Footsteps suddenly echoed behind him, and just like tha
Killing them would bring satisfaction. But torture? That would be far more rewarding.“Alpha?” A guard stepped forward, his voice uncertain. “Do you need something?”Asher didn’t stop. He didn’t even look at him. “Open the cells.”The guard hesitated. “Alpha, are you sure? The prisoners—”“I didn’t ask for your opinion. Open the damn cells.”The guard swallowed hard but nodded. He hurried ahead, unlocking the heavy iron doors. The moment they creaked open, the stench of sweat and blood filled Asher’s lungs. It only fueled his rage.Inside, Connor and his men sat slumped against the cold walls, wrists bound, faces bruised and swollen from earlier beatings. Connor looked up, his split lip curling into a smirk.“Well, well. The mighty Alpha finally decided to visit.” His voice was hoarse, but laced with arrogance. “Did your little mate cry to you?”Asher moved so fast, Connor didn’t even have time to flinch. His hand wrapped around the bastard’s throat, lifting him effortlessly.“You thi
The chamber was one of the many places Asher used for interrogations. It was specifically designed to handle rogues who trespassed on his territory. The room had several hidden vents in the corners, which, when activated, released silver gas. The toxic fumes made any wolf inside weaker, forcing them to endure excruciating pain. Breathing it in felt like pure agony, stripping away their strength little by little. Moving onto the next prisoner, Emerson, Asher noticed he was already unconscious. That didn’t surprise him. Over time, he had observed that Emerson was far weaker than Harris. Without hesitation, he injected him with the sedative, stepping back as the drug took effect. "Put them in the chamber," he commanded, his voice sharp and unwavering. Only two remained—Nathan and Connor. These two were the ones Asher looked forward to dealing with the most. However, their suffering needed to be drawn out. They wouldn’t get the easy way out—not yet. Sticking each of them with the sy
"You talk in your sleep."Elena’s eyes snapped open.Her breath caught.For a moment, she was somewhere else.Somewhere dark.Somewhere cold.But then—Warmth.The steady rise and fall of a chest beneath her palm.A strong, steady heartbeat.The scent of pine and smoke.And the low, teasing voice that had just spoken.Asher.Her entire body went rigid.Slowly—too slowly—she lifted her head.Asher’s golden eyes were already on her, filled with something dangerously amused.His lips curled at the edges. "Morning, princess."Elena’s stomach flipped.Her pulse roared.She jerked back, her breath uneven as she processed where she was.Asher’s bed.Asher’s arms.And the lingering warmth of his body wrapped around her.Her heart pounded as memories of the night before flooded back.The way he held her.The way she let him.The way, for the first time in six years, she had fallen asleep without fear.Her throat tightened.Asher stretched lazily beside her, his arm still slung across her waist
Words Elena Hasn't Heard in Years The silence between them stretched. Elena shifted awkwardly. Her pulse was still racing. Asher exhaled through his nose, watching her. Then, his head tilted slightly. "Has anyone ever told you you’re beautiful?" Elena’s breath stopped. Her heart stuttered. The room blurred. A memory—soft, distant, aching. Her mother’s voice. "My beautiful girl." But that had been six years ago. No one had said it since. No one had even looked at her that way. And yet, Asher had said it so easily. Like it wasn’t foreign. Like it wasn’t a lie. Like it wasn’t a game. Her fingers curled into her palms. "Don’t say things you don’t mean." Asher frowned. "Why would I lie?" She didn’t know. She only knew that nothing good ever followed words like that. Because beauty meant attention. And attention meant pain. Asher studied her carefully. His voice softened. "Come with me today." Elena blinked. "What?" "To my pack work
The familiar scratch of pencil against paper was soothing. Line by line, she built her mother’s face—the curve of her cheek, the softness of her smile, the warmth in her eyes. For a moment, everything faded. The pain. The bruises. The doubts. All that remained was the quiet rhythm of shading and detail. Then— A scent. Pine and smoke. A presence. Warm and steady. A voice. "You didn’t answer the door." Elena jumped, nearly smudging the drawing as Asher’s voice broke through the silence. Her heart pounded. She turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression. His golden eyes flickered to the journal in her lap. "You draw?" Elena hesitated. She wasn’t used to people seeing this part of her. But Asher wasn’t just people. She nodded. He pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. "Can I see?" Her throat tightened, but after a long pause, she tilted the journal slightly toward him. His
"You’re frowning," Asher’s deep voice broke through the silence.Elena startled slightly, looking up from the book in her hands.He wasn’t even looking at her.He was still at his desk, flipping through documents, one hand holding a pen, the other resting on the desk. Yet somehow, he’d still noticed."What?" she asked, feigning confusion.Asher finally glanced up. His sharp gaze settled on her with unnerving accuracy."You’re frowning," he repeated, tilting his head slightly. "Either you don’t like the book, or something else is on your mind."Elena swallowed, gripping Animal Farm tighter in her lap.It wasn’t the book. She loved this book.It was her thoughts.The ones that had been creeping in the moment she stepped into his office.The moment she realized how perfectly he fit in this world—his world.And how she… didn’t.Elena forced a small smile. "I’m fine."Asher didn’t look convinced.His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, like he was debating whether to push.Then, fina
Elena watched Asher disappear down the stairs, the warmth of his body still lingering on her skin. But something gnawed at her chest—a flicker of unease. The moment he’d sat up, she’d seen it in his face. That storm behind his eyes. And now, alone in the quiet room, that image refused to leave her.She sat up slowly, wrapping the blanket around herself tighter. Her fingers brushed the mark on her shoulder, still tingling faintly from his touch, but her thoughts were no longer anchored in the bliss of their morning.___________ Elena’s Concern“Asher?” she had murmured earlier, when his expression had shifted—when the relaxed man she woke up with suddenly seemed a thousand miles away.“I’m fine,” he’d said too quickly. Too flatly.She’d reached for his hand then, but he’d gently pulled away, avoiding her gaze.“I’ll go make breakfast,” he’d mumbled, already halfway off the bed before she could press further.Elena wasn’t naive. Something had rattled him. And she hated the distance it
Awakening in Love:“Asher,” Elena whispered groggily, her voice a soft rasp in the quiet morning air. “Are you staring at me again?”Asher smirked, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek. “Guilty. You make it hard not to.”She peeked one eye open, still nestled against his chest. “That’s creepy, you know.”“Is it creepy if I’m admiring the woman I love?” he murmured, pressing a light kiss to her forehead.Elena’s eyes fluttered open fully this time. She smiled—lazy, content. “You’re lucky I love you back.”“I know,” he said, grinning. His hand slid down to trace the outline of her mark, his thumb moving gently over the sensitive skin. “I’m really damn lucky.”She sighed and nuzzled into his chest. “It’s cold.”Without hesitation, Asher tugged her even closer, wrapping his arms around her bare body. “Better?”“Mmm,” she hummed, her eyes closing again.He chuckled softly, the vibrations rumbling through his chest. "You always do this."Elena peeked up at him, brow arched. "Do wh
Without a word, he turned, grabbed his discarded shirt from the riverbank, and draped it over her shoulders. The fabric was still warm from his body, carrying his scent. “Mine,” he murmured, voice deep and possessive. Elena shivered, though not from the cool night air. A flicker of amusement danced in her eyes as she looked up at him. “Possessive, aren’t you?” Asher smirked but didn’t deny it. Instead, he ran his fingers along the edge of the shirt, adjusting it so it covered more of her. “Damn right,” he said, voice husky. “And you love it.” Elena flushed, but she couldn’t deny the way her heart raced at his words. He reached down, grabbing her pants from where she had left them on the rock. Before she could protest, he crouched slightly and helped her step into them, his fingers grazing her thighs as he pulled them up.The simple act sent a thrill through her—not from lust, but from the intimacy of it.Once she was dressed, Asher cupped her face, running his thumb alon
Then, suddenly, he lowered her onto a smooth, flat rock near the water’s edge. Elena barely had a second to process before Asher leaned over her, his hazel eyes dark with something unreadable. “I’ve never wanted anything the way I want you,” he murmured, his hand brushing along her jaw. Her breath caught. “Asher…” His lips hovered over hers, their breaths mingling. “Tell me to stop,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “And I will.” But Elena didn’t want him to stop. Instead, she reached up, her fingers tracing the sharp lines of his jaw. “Don’t stop.” That was all he needed. Asher kissed her again, slow and deep, his hands roaming her body with reverence. Elena knew she was lost. But for once, she didn’t want to be found. For once, she wanted to let herself drown in him.Elena gasped as Asher’s lips trailed down her neck, his warm breath sending shivers through her. His kisses slowed, lingering on the sensitive spot where his mark should one day be. Her body tense
A Love Confession Under MoonlightThe Confession“Elena.”She heard her name through the soft ripples of water, but she wasn’t sure if she had imagined it. The moonlight shimmered on the river’s surface, casting a glow over Asher’s face, highlighting the intensity in his hazel eyes.“What?” she breathed, her heart hammering against her ribs.“I love you.” His voice was steady, unwavering.Elena froze. The words hit her like a tidal wave, knocking the air from her lungs. She stared at him, sure she had misheard, blaming the gentle rush of water distorting his words.“You… what?” she whispered, her pulse roaring in her ears.Asher didn’t hesitate. He cupped her face, his wet fingers grazing her cheeks. “I love you, Elena. I’ve loved you for longer than I even realized. And I don’t want to wait anymore.”Her breath hitched. This was unreal—impossible. No one had ever said those words to her. No one had ever meant them.“Asher…” she started, but she had no idea what to say. She could only
Elena splashed water at him, and he let out a dramatic gasp before retaliating, sending droplets flying around them. Their laughter echoed through the quiet woods, blending with the gentle ripple of the river. When they finally stilled, Asher cupped her face, his thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. "Elena," he murmured, his voice lower, more serious. "Hm?" "You’re everything," he whispered, his forehead pressing against hers. "Everything I didn’t know I needed." Elena swallowed the lump in her throat, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of his gaze. For once, she didn’t shy away. Instead, she smiled, letting the warmth of his words settle deep inside her. Maybe—just maybe—she could let herself believe it.Asher smirked, brushing a stray droplet of water from Elena’s cheek. “You’re staring.” Elena blinked, feeling heat rise to her already flushed face. “I am not.” He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh? So you weren’t just admiring me?” Elena scoffed, trying to fig
"Asher, I don’t have anything to wear," Elena said, crossing her arms over her chest. Asher smirked, the mischief in his eyes undeniable. "You’re wearing something now, aren’t you?" He gestured to her shorts and tank top. Elena’s lips pressed together, contemplating. The river was beautiful, its cyan surface shimmering under the afternoon sun, but the idea of undressing, even partially, made her hesitate. Asher noticed her apprehension and took a step closer, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You trust me, don’t you?" His voice was soft, patient. "Of course, I do," she said without hesitation. "Then come in," he said simply. Elena bit her lip, the internal war raging inside her. She was tired of letting her past dictate her present. She had come so far. This was just another step. Asher, seeing her uncertainty, reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head in one smooth motion, tossing it onto the riverbank. Elena’s breath hitched as she to
Chapter: A Moment of Vulnerability and IntimacyA Sudden Surprise:“Elena.”Her name barely left Asher’s lips before he closed the distance between them, his hands framing her face as his lips met hers. The kiss was slow, deliberate—filled with an unspoken emotion that sent a shiver down her spine. It wasn’t rushed, nor desperate. It was something deeper. Something she wasn’t sure she could put into words.She sighed into the kiss, letting herself melt into his embrace. His warmth, his presence, it was intoxicating. But just as she was beginning to steady herself, he pulled away.Her lips parted slightly, confused by the sudden loss of contact. “Asher?”And then, to her complete shock, he reached down and pulled off his shirt in one fluid motion.Elena’s breath caught in her throat.She wasn’t sure what she expected, but seeing him like this—shirtless, the golden glow of the setting sun casting shadows over his well-defined torso—made her pulse quicken. She could see every ridge of mu
Elena tightened her grip on Asher’s hand, her thumb tracing small circles against his skin.“Your father… he sounds like an incredible man.”Asher’s gaze softened as he studied her, his hazel eyes reflecting something warm, something deep. “He would’ve loved you.”Elena’s breath hitched at his words. “You think so?”He nodded, brushing a stray curl from her face. “He always said strength wasn’t about how hard you could hit or how many battles you won. It was about how much you could endure.” He paused, his fingers ghosting along her jaw. “And, Elena, you’ve endured more than anyone I know.”Her throat tightened, emotion swelling inside her. She had spent so much of her life feeling weak, feeling like she was constantly struggling to stay afloat. But Asher—he saw her differently. Not as broken, not as fragile, but as someone strong. Someone resilient.Her eyes burned, tears threatening to spill. “Asher…” She swallowed, shaking her head. “I don’t even know what to say.”A gentle smile t