2. Lyra's Pov

"Asher!!!" 

I shrieked with impulse. My heart as if nearing a clunking stop and I was unable to move. 

The sudden strong wind that blew round the arena sent goosebumps through my spine, but like a tree rooted to the ground I stood firmly, despite my tiny body.

My heart panicked, and my gaze was fixed at Asher as he laid on the ground with no one rushing to help. 

Everyone was busy clapping for Kaden and the duel was being refix.

Angrily, I gulped down the lump in my throat and I finally found the strength I needed to move a muscle. I took a step forward, but then-

 A woman rushed to the stage along with two subordinate as they carried him off the stage. 

My gaze followed them as they walked away, and my heart couldn't stop thumping fast and loud. It was as though I could feel his pain. The muscles around my heart clutched tight, I couldn't bare it. 

The clamoring of the crowd tightened every muscles in my body but the grimace in Kaden's, made my insides turn. 

Kaden wasn't just the child of the Luna, but one who took pride in boosting about when he'd be the Alpha. He was well known among the she-wolfs and even the coolies sent here for work. 

Calling him shameless, would be disrespectful to the word.

The crowd kept cheering for Kaden, even though he had punched Asher on his head while he was distracted. I was suffocated by the sounds of their cheers and their breath that have filled the air.

There was a growing grudge in my stomach for Kaden, and with spite I glared at him. 

He was smiling so much as though he had won the duel, when it was only a tie. 

Ridiculous!

I continued my work till evening, when everyone had left and went back home.

....

The clouds finally darkened and I was standing on a stool steering the soup on high heat. 

 I was alone in the kitchen making dinner for Asher. 

It's my favorite recipe!

The frigid winter air caused goosebumps throughout my body but yet, I could only think about Asher.

I found my mate!

The excitement made laugh lines visible on my face and at every thought of Asher I found myself smiling like a little girl who just have her first crush.

After being mocked since birth, and with a face like mine, I've never imagined someday I'd get mated to anyone, and he wasn't just anyone.

He is going to be the Alpha of the strongest pack around. 

A smile slowly played on my lips as I blushed in thoughts of Asher marking me for life. 

But would he?

A wave of negative thought suddenly hits my chest as I wiped the beads of sweat on my face.

"No!" I wobbled my head trying to get rid of every negative thoughts. 

I clouded my mind with only positive thoughts of him, it brought warmth to my body, and despite the cold I could feel the heat of attraction, slowly creeping underneath my skin.

My lips curved in laughter as I thought of being married to him for life.

After few minutes I was done. I carried the tray of food for Asher, and stepped out of the kitchen. 

I quickly changed into another dress, with a scarf I wrapped around my neck.

I grabbed the tray and walked out of the house, but then-

The moonlight suddenly spilled on the tray flashing my reflection that instantly killed my confidence.  

The pimples on my face were as big as boils, reddish and covered every part of my face.

And for the first time, I could see what the others saw-ugly! 

Tear dripped from my eyes, and my heart etched at the thoughts of Asher rejecting me. 

I turned back around toward the kitchen...how can I give this to him, with a face like mine?

One step through the kitchen the doors, and I thought-

What if he doesn't gets to see my face? 

My lips parted at the thoughts of it, and a smirked played on my lips as my grip tightened on the tray. 

There is a mask I used to wear outside the pack and whenever I felt dejected.

I've got this!

....

As I stood in front of Asher's room, my face completely covered with a mask, I knocked twice...

"Come in." Asher's deep husky voice called out sending a rage of shivers through my veins and my knees quivered for a while. 

I swallowed my saliva and bit down on my lips mulling over going in or leaving but then-

The door creaked open sending shock through my body and suddenly he was standing right in front of me. 

My gaze slowly trailed his body, and when I met his brown eyes my heart freezes-

"Alpha Asher..."

He looked down at me upon hearing what I said, and stared briefly before saying, "I'm not the Alpha yet." 

"But you will be." I responded with sheer eagerness, staring into his eyes like a lost poppy. 

His countenance slowly stiffened and his brows slanted making me quiver and I took a step backwards and said, "Here is your dinner." 

His eyes instantly darkened and abruptly said, "Mate!" 

My lips curved into a wide smile as I watch him slipped his hand into his pocket and bent his head and then smiled at me, "Come inside."

My mind suddenly stopped functioning, seeing him smile at me up close was like watching the sun set. 

It was alluring, and my wolf kept sniffing his scent that have mixed in the air, causing butterflies in my stomach and unconsciously, I giggled...but paused instantly, and I froze lowering my eyes.

His giggles echoes in the air, and I felt his lips touched my ears slightly as he whispered, "I said come in..." He suddenly grabbed my hands, and lend me inside. 

I shyly placed the tray on the table and when I spun around, he was standing by the closed door. 

A glint slowly appeared in my eyes. I couldn't conceal the joy on my face. 

Asher lit a cigarette and took a drag at it, "Where you at the duel?" 

I looked up at him upon hearing this. His face was shrouded by the white smoke and his exquisite features slowly shaded the lamp behind him, as I felt him closing in, he looked all the more stoic, dignified and unattainable. 

The soft expression on my face slowly bloomed into smile and I answered, "Yes."

"I lost because I was distracted by your scent." His brows raised in mischief. 

My jaw tensed up and my gaze wavered, but before I could speak his voice snorted, "You will have to appease me for it." He chuckled. 

I didn't know what to say for a moment there. My lips turned pale as I slowly dug my nails into my palm.

"Remove your mask." He ordered.

Asher put out the cigarette and towered over me as he said, "Why do you look like you are giving it a deep thought? It's just a mask, remove it." He winked at me. 

"I can't..." 

If he sees my face, he will certainly reject me!

One part of my heart gradually died at his request, and the expectation that shouldn't have existed was sucked out too, leaving nothing but cold emptiness. 

My heart was etching, and my eyes wells up. I was hovered with regret, I shouldn't have come here. 

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." I kept muttering and tried running towards the door but he gripped my hand and pulled me closer. I almost slumped but he spin me around and I fell on his hardened chest. 

"You won't leave here without me seeing your face..."  

I struggled but his hands around me firmly gripped my tiny body and I couldn't move.

He gently placed his fingers beneath the mask trying not to hurt me with his long nails.

His eyes was filled with so much excitement that made me felt like a terrible person for being so ugly. 

"Please stop..." Tears trickled down my cheeks but he only smiled-

"There's no need to be sad, we'd be mate for life." 

He responded ever so sweetly but then-

There was a sudden knock on the door, and his gaze instantly drifted away from me. I loosen his grip around my body, and when I looked at the widely opened window, I waited for an opportunity.

He walked towards the door, and gestures me to wait, but that's when I knew I had to leave.

"Sorry..." I muttered underneath my breath and jumped out the window as he opened the door.