Chapter-5

                                                                         Ivy

“No, I will not reject him!” I wasn’t sure if I heard my wolf right. Did she just refuse to reject this asshole?

“What?” I mumbled. “What did you say?”

“I will not reject him. I get to have a say on this too and I want my mate!” Silver retorted, sounding petulant.

“Even if he is an asshole? Silver…he ran away from us, remember? Remember the way we felt? That intense feeling, the longing and how crazy it drove us? How could you accept a man like that? He’s a freaking coward,” I protested.

“I know, but he admitted it…it was a mistake. And mistakes happen. You didn’t try to stop him either, did you?”

“I was shocked!”

“So was he…”

“Stop this nonsense right away,” Alpha Joseph thundered, shooting a glare at his son. “The entire pack is watching. Let’s just go inside and discuss this calmly. Some misunderstanding must have happened and it would be helpful if both of you act your age.”

“I agree with dad,” Noah nodded. “This isn’t the right place.”

“Please, Ash?” Luna Rose said softly, and I noticed how Asher’s eyes softened as he gazed down at her.

“Fine,” he grumbled, and at least he had the courtesy to wait and let me walk ahead first as I followed others to the Alpha House.

“See, he is nice?” Silver offered.

“Shut up,” I hissed under my breath.

There was a prickling sensation on my back as Asher followed behind me. He was at least a few feet away, but I could feel that sensation, that larger-than-life presence of an Alpha almost sticking to my skin. His scent, something very distinct and unlike any other scent I have ever experienced before, lingered around me, making a funny feeling erupt deep in my belly. 

“Can you walk faster?” Asher grimaced. I whirled around and shot him a glare, which he reciprocated with an even darker one.

“Asshole,” I mouthed, holding up my middle finger. 

The party halted at the eloquent living room and it almost felt like we were going to be charged for treason the way everyone assessed me…us. Asher took his position beside me and even though I was fairly tall, he seemed to be looming in comparison, emanating that alpha vibe that will have you bending in front of him, no matter what. But I was his mate, so if anyone would bend here, that would be…him.

“Now, will you guys explain?” Alpha Joseph demanded.

“I already told you everything. What else do you want?” Asher muttered. 

“You do realize how disrespectful your actions were?” Joseph demanded. “I can’t imagine the gossip that will spread if anyone finds out.”

“And how will anyone find out?” Asher retorted.

“You know that’s not the point,” Logan said. “You are an Alpha, and it’s your duty to treat your mate with respect. Ash, you need to apologize to Ivy and make things right. You need to accept her and then make her your Luna the right way, which is by marrying her.”

Wait, a moment…did he say marry her? Her as in…me?

“Marry? Logan…we don’t even want each other…what the fuck?” Asher grimaced. “No freaking way. I am not marrying her. Apologize…yes. I was wrong, but marry? I just met her ten minutes ago. If it weren’t for Mac…”

“What about him?” Rose probed.

“Mac doesn’t want to reject her and if he doesn’t reject then…I can’t,” he grumbled. I was surprised again. His wolf doesn’t want to reject me either? Why?

“Because we aren’t idiots,” Silver grimaced. 

“I don’t want to marry him either,” I protested. “I want to stick to my oath of being the Lunas guard.”

“Ivy, you cannot be our sworn guard because you are rightfully the Luna of the pack now.” Cora said. 

“Not unless we accept each other. Our wolves may be averse to rejection, but that doesn't imply we should accept it. There’s always free will,” I responded.

“If your wolves aren’t hesitant, then why are you two? Mistakes happen and they can be sorted. That doesn’t mean you would take such drastic decisions just out of anger. Rejection isn’t child’s play. It’s a very serious thing,” Rose muttered. “Is it just because Ash ran away from you that you don’t want him?”

My stomach was in knots while I tried to form a reasonable answer. How can I make her see that I can't be bonded with the man who was the damn Alpha of this pack?

The very pack Killian sent me to destroy. 

The stakes were too high. I have lost my entire family. My father was my only hope, and his life hung in the balance that I was holding. What Killian wanted from me, I wasn’t sure of that yet but one little slip and everything will fall apart.

No. Asher Gray can’t be my mate. I don't want him to be, nor can I afford him to be. It would complicate everything. It would destroy everything.

“Ivy?” Luna Rose probed. 

“That’s a reason enough, don’t you think, Luna Rose?” I prompted. “What kind of person runs away from his mate and then hides the fact from everyone? Would you have accepted a mate like this? How can I even trust him?”

“Well, that settles it then. There’s no other choice but rejection,” Asher said flatly.

“You will not utter the word rejection again,” Joseph warned. “It’s high time you take a mate, Alpha Asher. It’s your duty to the pack,”

“What else can I do if she doesn’t want me?” 

“You will prove yourself worthy of being her mate. Rejection is not an option, so settle it between yourself. I don’t care what needs to be done. I won’t have people making fun of us because the Alpha of GrayCrest doesn’t want to give up sharing his bed with random women and finally settle down with a mate.”

“You can’t talk to me like that,” Asher growled, his face darkening.

“I can. I am still your father and an Elder of the pack. It’s high time, Asher,” Joseph retorted, his voice firm.

“I agree with dad,” Logan nodded. “There’s some serious misunderstanding that happened between the two of you, but nothing that can’t be sorted. Take your time, get to know each other. There’s no rush. And once you two have figured things out, we can discuss the wedding and stuff.”

“Screw you all.” Asher snapped, and everyone jumped as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

“Goddess, I have no idea how this will turn out,” Luna Grace grimaced. “My head hurts.” She glanced at me and it was unnerving the way she assessed me from head to toe. No doubt gauging whether I fit with her perfect son.

“He needs to grow up. Let him be for now,” Alpha Joseph muttered before stomping out. Luna Grace followed, as did Noah and Logan.

“What a day!” Cora shook her head before turning to me. I didn’t like the grin on her face.

“Finally, we get to meet Asher’s mate. You have no idea how long we have waited for this moment. And he couldn’t have found a more perfect person. Right, Rose?” Rose smiled softly and nodded.

“Absolutely,” she said. “I know you are upset, hurt and angry with Asher and this wasn’t a perfect beginning for the two of you, but trust me, when I say this…you’re very lucky.” I pursed my lips, suddenly overwhelmed by an urge to cry.

Was I?