"Asher?" Elena’s voice was soft, hesitant, but the moment his name left her lips, she saw it—the way his body stiffened, the way his hand clenched against the sheets. She knew this reaction wasn’t just about her question. It was about them. Her past. Her tormentors. And whatever Asher had done to them. He didn’t answer. Not right away. Instead, he moved closer, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to the mark on her neck. A shiver ran through her, not just from the sensation but from the meaning behind it. It was possessive. Soothing. A reminder of what they were—of the bond they now shared. She knew he was grounding himself in it, using it to hold back the storm inside him. Still, she couldn’t ignore the way his hands trembled slightly as they rested on her waist. "Asher," she whispered again, this time reaching up to cup his face. Golden eyes met hers, and for a moment, all she saw was raw, unfiltered emotion—rage, protectiveness, something darker lurking
His fingers flexed against her waist, but he didn’t speak. She swallowed hard. "I need to know who I’m looking at right now, Asher." His jaw clenched. "You’re looking at the same man who would do it all over again if it meant keeping you safe." She searched his face, her heart pounding. "You’re scaring me." His grip on her softened instantly. "Elena—" "It’s not just what you did," she cut in. "It’s how much you’re holding back. It’s the way you won’t tell me everything. It’s the way you—" She sucked in a shaky breath. "It’s the way you looked at me just now. Like you weren’t sure if you should tell me the truth." His throat worked as he swallowed. "I didn’t want you to see me like that." "Like what?" His voice was barely a whisper. "Like a monster." Her breath caught. "You’re not a monster," she said, but there was a crack in her voice, and she hated that he heard it. His expression twisted, something pained flashing through his eyes. "Aren’t I?" She shook her
Asher’s Uncontrollable Fury His body tensed, muscles rippling beneath his skin as a growl rumbled deep in his chest. The warmth in his golden eyes flickered, replaced by something darker. "No." Elena barely had time to react before he was on his feet, pacing, fists clenched at his sides. "They don’t deserve to see you." His voice was sharp, final. "They don’t get to witness how strong you’ve become." His breathing turned ragged, and Elena realized— He wasn’t just angry. He was spiraling. "Asher—" "No!" His voice rose, filled with barely restrained fury. "You don’t need to see them, Elena. They’re nothing. Nothing!" She had never seen him like this before. His anger had always been controlled, calculated. But this— This was something else. It wasn’t just about her anymore. It was consuming him. Elena stepped forward cautiously. "Asher, look at me." He didn’t. Didn’t stop pacing. Didn’t stop seething. Her heart ached. She had only wanted closur
"You’re not even listening, are you?" Elena's voice was laced with amusement as she lowered the book, raising an eyebrow at Asher. Asher blinked, snapping out of his daze. "Of course, I am." She smirked, tilting her head. "Oh, really? Then tell me—what did I just read?" He opened his mouth, then closed it. Elena’s smirk widened. "That’s what I thought." Asher groaned, running a hand through his hair. "It’s not my fault. Your voice is distracting." She laughed, rolling her eyes. "That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard." He leaned closer, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "No, really. I think you might have cursed me, Elena." She gave him a skeptical look. "Oh? And how exactly did I do that?" Asher grinned, tapping his temple. "Your voice is like a spell—every time you speak, my brain stops working." Elena snorted. "That explains so much." --- Intimate Moments and Unspoken Desires She went back to reading, her voice soft, rhythmic. But Asher wasn’t listeni
Elena scoffed. "You’re impossible to sit still, so no." "I can behave." She snorted. "That would be a first." Asher grinned, watching as she started sketching. At first, he let her work. But then he got bored. And restless. And he wanted her attention. So, he reached forward, trailing his fingers lightly up her arm. Elena tensed, her pencil pausing. "Asher." "Hmm?" He feigned innocence, drawing slow, lazy circles on her wrist. She sighed, trying to focus on the paper. He moved closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, just like he had before. She stiffened again. Asher smirked. He leaned in, his breath warm against her neck. "You’re getting distracted." Elena gritted her teeth. "You’re distracting me." "You say that like it’s a bad thing." She turned to glare at him, but the second their eyes met, her irritation wavered. His gaze was intense—burning with something unspoken. Desire. Longing. Something deeper than teasing. Elena swal
A Family Dinner and Painful Memories:The scent of spaghetti and meatballs filled the air as they entered the dining area. His mother stood by the stove, plating the food, her posture more relaxed than usual. She turned and smiled at Elena. "I hope you’re hungry." Elena returned the smile. "It smells amazing." Asher studied his mother carefully. There was a softness in her expression that he hadn’t seen in years—not since his father was alive. They sat down, and for the first few minutes, there was only the sound of forks clinking against plates. Then his mother started talking. "You know, Asher used to be the pickiest eater as a child." Asher groaned. "Mom." She ignored him, turning to Elena with a smirk. "He refused to eat anything green. I had to hide vegetables in his food just to get him to eat them." Elena’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "So that’s why he avoids salads." "Exactly!" His mother laughed. "You should have seen the tantrum he threw when he foun
A River of Memories : A Lingering Mystery"You're not going to tell me, are you?"Elena narrowed her eyes at Asher, who smirked from his spot on the bed. He lay stretched out, arms behind his head, looking far too amused by her frustration."Nope," he said simply, his voice dripping with satisfaction.She huffed, crossing her arms. "Why do I even bother asking?"Asher chuckled, his dark eyes gleaming in the dim light of their room. "Because you’re curious."She hated that he was right.Elena had spent the last hour trying to pry the secret from him, but he remained annoyingly tight-lipped. Whatever he wanted to show her, it was important enough for him to keep it a surprise.And that only made her more impatient.She tapped her foot against the floor, staring at him like he might crack under the pressure. He didn’t."Not even a hint?" she tried again, lowering her voice to a coaxing whisper.Asher turned his head slightly, pretending to consider. "Alright, I’ll give you something."
She frowned. “A reminder of what?”He turned to her then, something raw flashing in his gaze. “Of how much things have changed. Of how some things you love can disappear before you’re ready.”Her heart ached at the sadness in his tone. She wanted to ask more, to dig deeper, but she knew better. He would tell her when he was ready.Instead, she gave his hand another squeeze. “You’re not alone, Asher.”A shadow of a smile crossed his lips, brief but genuine. “I know.”They stood in silence for a moment, the river’s soft murmurs filling the space between them. Birds rustled in the trees above, a cool breeze shifting the leaves, but neither of them moved.Finally, Asher sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to bring you out here just to drown in my own thoughts.”Elena shook her head. “I don’t mind. Sometimes silence says more than words ever could.”His lips twitched. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”She smirked. “Not always. But I try.”His gaze softened as he lo
Elena let herself sink into the moment, feeling the soothing weight of Asher’s arms around her. But soon, a mischievous spark lit in her chest, refusing to let the peace stay too serious.“Sit over there,” Elena said suddenly, nudging Asher’s chest with a grin.He blinked, confused but amused. “Bossy,” he teased, but obediently shifted across the bed, sitting up against the pillows.Elena scrambled off the bed and found a battered old sketchbook and a pencil from her nightstand drawer. “Don’t move,” she said with exaggerated sternness, tossing a wink over her shoulder.“Am I about to be immortalized?” Asher smirked, lounging dramatically as if he were about to pose for a royal painting.Elena giggled. “Yes, but if you keep moving like that, it’s going to be a disaster.”He puffed out his chest, then instantly ruined the serious pose by grinning mischievously. “Paint me like one of your French wolves, my Queen.”She burst into laughter, tossing a handful of popcorn from the bowl on the
The room hummed with the quiet sounds of their breathing, the world outside forgotten. Elena shifted slightly against Asher, feeling the warmth of his body wrap around her like a living shield. For a long, blissful moment, they simply held each other, their hearts beating in lazy tandem.Eventually, Asher stirred, brushing his lips lazily across her temple. “Come on, beautiful. Let’s get cleaned up,” he whispered, his voice rough with exhaustion and lingering tenderness.Without letting go of her hand, he guided her toward the large bathtub tucked in the corner of the room. Elena chuckled sleepily as the warm water filled, steam curling up around them like a cocoon.“Lazy wolf,” she teased as he lifted her effortlessly into the bath with him, settling her between his legs, her back resting comfortably against his chest.“You’re one to talk,” Asher murmured, pressing a playful kiss to her wet shoulder, making her giggle.The water enveloped them in heat and comfort. Elena sighed in con
The world outside their little cocoon faded into nothing but heartbeats and whispered breaths.Asher's fingers brushed slow, teasing circles along Elena’s bare hip, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. His touch grew bolder, more deliberate, tracing the sensitive line of her waist, then venturing lower, making her body arch into him instinctively."Asher..." she whispered, breathless, her nails digging lightly into his shoulders.He chuckled against her skin, low and teasing. "What is it, beautiful?" he murmured, nipping playfully at the curve of her neck."You’re... you're teasing me," she said, half-laughing, half-whimpering, the sound laced with undeniable need.He lifted his head, eyes dark and full of wicked affection. "Maybe I am," he said, his voice rough with desire. "You drive me crazy... it’s only fair."Elena whined softly, bucking her hips up to him. "Please," she whispered, her voice cracking with longing.The simple word made Asher growl low in his throat, his restraint cr
A Love That Feels Like Home:"Asher, stop squirming," Elena giggled, trying to peel his shirt over his head as he wrestled with it like it was some wild animal."I'm trying!" he laughed, arms trapped above his head. "This thing’s possessed, I swear."She tugged harder, finally yanking it off with a victorious huff. His hair was a mess, cheeks flushed, eyes crinkling at the corners from laughter. Elena burst out laughing, dropping the shirt to the floor."You look ridiculous," she teased, running her fingers through his tousled hair, smoothing it down."You love it," he said, grinning crookedly, catching her wrists and pulling her closer."Maybe," she whispered, just as he ducked his head to kiss her neck. His lips brushed her mark tenderly, sending a shiver racing down her spine."You definitely do," he murmured against her skin, his voice low and teasing.Elena hummed, threading her fingers into his hair again, tugging playfully as he trailed slow kisses up her jawline. The air betwe
The door creaked open again.Elena turned, expecting Genevieve or maybe Dawn—but it wasn’t either.It was Asher.And he froze in the doorway.Time, breath, and sound—all of it stilled.He didn’t move.Didn’t speak.Just… stared.His eyes drank her in from head to toe. The white dress that floated around her like morning mist. The soft fall of her hair. The quiet strength in her posture. The way her lips curved just barely, nervous but glowing.“Elena,” he finally whispered, voice low and awestruck.Her heart stuttered.He stepped in slowly, reverently, like approaching something sacred. His gaze never left her face, as though he was afraid she’d vanish if he blinked.“Say something,” she breathed, voice barely above a whisper.“I would,” he said, his throat tight, “if I could remember how to speak.”That made her laugh, soft and breathy.He reached her then, his hands lifting but not yet touching—as if still trying to believe she was real. “You look like a dream I’ve had my whole life
Elena stood in front of the mirror, still and breathless. The ceremony was just hours away, but her stomach churned like she’d swallowed a storm.The room was quiet now. Genevieve had left to help with final touches. Dawn had skipped off with her flower crown. Even the hum of chatter downstairs felt far away.It was just her and the mirror.And fear.Her fingers trembled as she traced the edge of the white dress—soft chiffon with intricate embroidery along the neckline. The fabric hugged her lightly, flowing around her like mist. She should have felt like a vision.Instead, all she could see were memories pressing through the glass.The echoes of bruises that had once marred her skin. The hollow eyes she used to avoid in her reflection. The voice in her head that still whispered: You’re not enough. You never were.Her breath hitched.What if they see the truth beneath the silk? What if they see the scared girl still hiding under the skin of a Luna?She turned from the mirror, pressing
Elena stirred the next morning to the soft chirping of birds and the golden warmth pouring through the trees. Asher had wrapped himself around her during the night, their bodies curled together beneath a blanket of moss and dappled sunlight. For the first time in her life, she didn’t wake up flinching.Instead, she smiled.“Morning, Luna,” Asher whispered against her shoulder, his voice still thick with sleep.Her heart flipped. That title… it used to scare her. Now it sounded like a crown placed gently on her head, not one she had to earn by pain—but by love.Asher kissed her cheek before pulling himself up. “We should head back soon. Your ceremony's tonight.”Her breath caught. Nerves fluttered in her chest. Ceremony. People. Attention. Things she’d never felt comfortable with.And yet—she wanted it. For herself. For them.By the time they returned to the house, the buzz had already begun. Pack members moved in and out, carrying decorations, trays of food, and fabric-draped poles fo
"I think this is my favorite kind of silence," Elena whispered, her voice barely louder than the breeze.Asher turned his head slowly, his eyes glowing amber in the waning light. “The kind where we don’t have to say anything… but everything’s already understood?”She smiled faintly, eyes fixed on the sunset bleeding across the sky. “Exactly that.”The horizon was a watercolor of gold and soft lavender, bleeding into a dusky crimson that painted the clouds with fire. The lake mirrored it all—still, soft, endless. A hush had fallen over the world, as if nature itself paused to breathe beside them.“I used to hate sunsets,” Elena confessed, her fingers playing with a blade of grass. “They reminded me the day was over, and it meant going back into a night I couldn’t escape.”Asher’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t interrupt.“But now,” she continued, “I love them. Because I know what the night holds. You.”He reached for her hand gently, threading his fingers between hers. “The night belong
The forest began to thin, the trees spreading wider apart as the scent of water drifted to him—fresh, clear, kissed by wind. Asher slowed his stride, dark paws sinking into moss and damp soil as he followed the trail of delicate pawprints that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.Then he saw it.The lake.Still. Silent. Sacred.The water lay like glass, mirroring the golden sky overhead. Morning mist curled above its surface like a soft veil, and tall reeds swayed at the edges where dragonflies danced between blades.It hit him like a memory. One he hadn’t thought about in years.This lake—this exact lake—was where his father used to take him as a pup. Before the war. Before the loss. They would lie beneath the oaks and count the stars. His father had called it the heart of the forest, a place where the world stood still, where the bond between wolf and nature hummed the loudest.Now it whispered something else.Peace.And at its center—was her.Elena.She stood at the water’s edge, one