(Anna’s Pov) As I stared at Asher, I grew increasingly nauseated. Why was he so silent? Say something! Anything! Oh Goddess, just freaking---dammit!Like a fish out of water, in a bid to break the tension cranking high in the room, I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times and only a sigh just escaped.Finally, Asher took pity on me and cleared his throat. "I'd been shot yesterday and while it took me down for a couple hours, I didn't lose my brain, Anna Kendra." He stopped looking out the window and suddenly turned those piercing emeralds on me. "It was Black Rose with me yesterday, she and my beta brought me to the hospital. You had gone to a conference with your "boss" whom I'd never met, how and why are you here right now in the same dress she was in yesterday?A lump formed in my throat and I licked my lips over and over again, trying to find my wits that were fried from the burning intensity of his gaze. "Asher..." I trailed and somehow the sick feeling in my stomach twist
Asher’s P.O.VAs the door locked behind me, I took in a shuddering breath, and still, the tightness in my chest didn’t ease. Gritting my teeth, I slammed my fist into the wall next to me, causing the needle from the IV to sink in further. White-hot pain streaked behind my lids and I bit back a groan, gasping silently. The pain dug its roots deep into the barely healed bullet wound on my chest and down the entire length of my arm to my fingertips. Fuck. Crimson spilled from the back of my hand and I watched it with increasing rage.What the heck was I doing? I had tried to fight my desire but there was no denying that I felt something for Black Rose. My wolf tingled when she was near. Anna on one hand was the mother of my children and even though it was within my power, I couldn’t separate the boys from her. They loved her so much and her absence would badly impact their lives. Shit would hit the roof if in the future; they discovered that I was the one who stripped her of her maternal
Anna’s P.O.VIt’d been thirty-six hours, one hundred and twenty minutes, forty seconds since I saw Asher at the hospital. Not that I was keeping track of time. I was just…maybe concerned about his health as Sen had gone to pick him up from the hospital as soon as I’d returned home.He was an Alpha, yes, but it was a gunshot, not a knife wound! He needed to give himself time to recuperate at least.I let out a sigh and turned my attention back to my kids.“Why do we have to go back to school?” Ivan scowled at me. “Dad –”“I am not your dad, Ivan!” I snapped, suddenly exasperated. We had been at this for hours and he refused to understand. Evan just sat in a corner, round glasses framed eyes glued to his tab as his fingers flew over it. I could bet he didn’t hear a word of what his older brother and I were arguing about. He was my little nerdy genius while Ivan was my daredevil.I just wished he would take my words quietly without fighting me back at every turn. I needed them to resume
Anna’s P.O.VHis words felt like a bucket of cold water over me and I flushed, trying and failing to push away from his arms. “Yeah, I have something I need to tell you myself.”But he was making it hard to concentrate with the way his jeans-covered dick pushed dangerously close to my wet heat.Shamelessly, I ground into the metal zipper of his jeans, gasping as electricity zinged through me. Fuckkkkk. It felt so good.Panting, I blurted. “I want Ivan and Evan to return to their school.”His brows furrowed and he pushed away from me to get his bearings. “Why?” His voice was harsh.I licked my lips, thinking of the story I’d painted. “They don’t have a social life and I just think it’s unfair for them. I’d spoken with the proprietress and she agreed to take them back in. Please, Asher, every child needs friend. They’ll start tomorrow.”I gave him my most pleading look and after a while, he sighed. “Fine.”Then his mouth returned to mine. Asher kissed me, slowly and greedily. His erecti
Anna’s P.O.VThe sheets were pulled directly under my chin as my eyes traced a very interesting pattern over the ceiling of Asher’s bedroom. This was the first time I’d be seeing it—the times I’d slept in his bed, I had the sheets over my head to hide my abilities from him. Now, it was very clear. There was a very stunning sculpture of a golden crescent moon surrounding by little paws. With a jolt, I realized, it was Asher’s mating mark. It had once adorned my neck for a very brief three hours before he…rejected me. How conceited and into himself can a person be to have his own mark above his head anytime he sleeps?“I can hear you think, Anna Kendra,” Asher said very dryly and I blushed, turning my head over the pillows to look at him. “Anyway, if you must know, I have one like it back home, better sculpted anyway. I don’t know how you live here. They are very cultureless, bland, and clearly untalented.”“If by cultureless, you mean Westside doesn’t believe in your archaic pack desig
```Some minutes later, as I curled in bed with a book, the door to my room suddenly flung open, and in came running my kids.Laughing at the top of his lungs, Ivan jumped on me. “Momma! Nurse Jane allowed us to play football with the other kids! You never let us play ball!”My heart stopped beating for a moment and with wide eyes, I held Ivan at arm’s length, checking for any signs of a relapse. How could she be so careless? Football was a very vigorous physical activity! How could she let them play such a rough game?Tears of fury stung my eyes and I made to stand from the bed when Evan came closer and placed his small hand on my cheek. “We are okay mum. Please don’t be mad. It was fun and Nurse Jane didn’t let the other kids push us. We even made a friend with our old classmate back at school. We told him we were returning to school soon.”The soft look in his eyes softened the ache in my chest and with a sigh, I relaxed back on the bed. Jane was a certified nurse…she wouldn’t let
I watched as my twins, Ivan and Evan, squealed with delight, their eyes shining with excitement, as they ran from one colorful stall to the next. The amusement park was alive with the hum of laughter and thrill-seeking screams. Tony, stood beside me, a gentle smile on his face, as we watched the kids have fun. "So you're back with him now huh?" Tony asked quietly next to me. "Is that why you are no longer pack?"I shook my head and turned to him, eyes wide. "No! Tony I swear it's not what you think! I didn't mean to hide the truth from you. I just wanted you to not sabotage the business with Asher. you need to understand this please.""You are like my little sister, Anna." Tony snapped eyes glowing. "How do you think I feel when you suddenly return to the bastard who abandoned you... Is he forcing you to do this?"I opened my mouth to tell a lie But Asher, appeared, his eyes narrowed, and a smirk playing on his lips."Hey, Anna, I see you're having fun," Asher said, his voice laced w
A week later.(Anna’s P.O.V)He was here.I could feel it from the way the hairs at the back of my neck stood at attention. For the past couple of days, I had successfully evaded a meeting with Asher Knight and thankfully, he was probably too busy to come in anyway. But today was a Friday night and well, he was here. I had so much to do though, balancing accounts and overseeing sales. Due to the conference those nights ago, business has tripled in West-side and I swear, even a few movie celebrities comes in on less busy days.Snapping shut my umbrella as it was raining buckets outside, I stepped in through the sliding doors. A smile pushed up the sides of my lips as warmth washed over me and a very familiar scent of beer and drunk people.“Welcome boss,” One of the waiters greeted me politely as she balanced a tray of drink in a hand and one of food in the other hand. Everyone was so busy and it seemed I wasn’t really needed so I let my eyes dart across the room to the back. And there
ASHER'S POV~“Let me go! Let me go, you stupid disgusting things! I'm going to ruin you! You're going to regret putting your disgusting hands on me!" The guards dragged Vira towards me as I say quietly in the dark room, my cold eyes on her. Her struggle against their hold was ferocious. Snarls ripped from her throat, her body writhing and twisting, her muscles tensed and coiled like a feral beast. But the guards were impassive, their faces stoic as they held her securely in their grasp.“Here you are. I've being wanting to meet you… step mother.” My lips curved upward, the corners of my mouth stretching into a sadistic grin. I watched as the guards hauled Vira towards me, a low, guttural chuckle rumbling in my chest.She gasped in shock before faking a broken expression. “Asher… what's the meaning of this? You asked these cruel assholes to hurl me like a criminal just for us to talk? Couldn't you send a text or something?” Her voice quivered. What a cunning bitch! Her eyes kept dar
ASHER'S POV~Finally, the day had arrived. Yet again, I didn't seem to sleep a wink. I kept turning on the bed, sending several messages to Anna who in turn returned all of them. She was anxious like I was. She was my perfect fit. I watched how the sun slowly began to rise in the sky and for the first time in my life, this was the first time I acknowledged the sun was indeed beautiful. It helped to light up my day.It didn't take me up to an hour to get dressed. I already gave an earlier instruction to Anna's stylists to dress her up quickly, I wouldn't want anything to delay my bride from coming on time. I was fucking dying to see her. I made sure every single thing in the venue was the best. Made from the very best.I wouldn't mind taking a drive to the hotel where she's been dressed up but Sen kicked against it and mentioned it to be a taboo for a groom to see a bride before their wedding day.Finally, I arrived at the venue. Sen made sure to scatter the guards at every station, m
ASHER'S POV~Last night I couldn't bring myself to sleep a wink. Tossing and turning in the bed, I fought against the grip of sleep. Anger, disappointment, and confusion mingled within me, keeping me wide awake.I couldn't think straight. No, I just couldn't. I thought about the several possibilities of me not appearing on time, what could have happened? Anna would have said yes, wouldn't she? My heart instantly clenched, I groaned while I pulled some strands of my hair in anger. Last night, I couldn't face Anna, not now, not while I was still struggling to make sense of it all. So I avoided sleeping in the same room as her. Someone suddenly knocked on the door. My eyes that were shadowed with dark circles lazily made their way to the door before I began to rise. My movements were sluggish and unfocused. “You look like shit, to be honest." I heard Sen mutter the very moment I let the door open for him. I rumbled under my breath, “So you came to taunt me about that?” I raised a br
ANNA'S POV~“For fuck's sake, Anna you're going to get me killed!" Tony groaned, pulling his hair as he turned around and refused to stare at me. I grinned, my cheeks widening and I went ahead to poke Tony's back which faced me but he softly slapped my hands away. “Heavens bear me a witness that I'm clearly the one chasing you away, Anna." The thought of seeing Asher storm into this place like a bull, his face set in a fierce scowl, his brows furrowed, his nostrils flaring, and his steps heavy to come ruin this playdate made adrenaline to curse through my veins. It made me so excited and I was looking forward to it. “Come on… Asher doesn't bite!” I brushed past him, only coming to stand right in front of him and I saw him turn around again from me, giving me his back and I barked out a laugh. “Jeez, Anna, go away. Asher would think you're dressed sexily for me when in reality this is just a prank. Go away! I don't want to lose a tooth.” He whined and I giggled more. I intentional
A year laterASHER'S POV~My mind was a swirl of thoughts, each one circling back to Anna. No matter how much I tried to make it stop, try to even focus, my thoughts kept drifting back to her—especially when she declared she was going for a vacation which was absolutely weird. I hated how suspicious it made me feel. I didn't sleep a wink last night and had spent the entire late hours of the day to search on several search engines on their search bars on ‘WHY WOULD A WOMAN SUDDENLY DECIDE TO GO ON A VACATION ALONE WITHOUT HER PARTNER.’My heart kept pounding in my chest as I waited for the results to load. As page after page revealed the same terrifying possibility, my face had gone pale and my fingers trembled. The realization that she might be losing interest in me, that she might have someone else, had filled me with dread and despair.The silence of our room was deafening, every tick of the clock in our room was a cruel reminder that my girl was about not to return to me anymore.
(Anna’s Pov) Darkness. Stifling, all-encompassing darkness. My lungs burned, a primal panic clawing at my throat. I was trapped. A metal cube, cold and unforgiving, held me prisoner, stealing my air bit by agonizing bit. This was it. This was how I'd die. They locked me in this cube that didn't have oxygen in it.As I tried to give up, my fist suddenly tightened around the object in my hand and I froze..A crazy idea, born of desperation, took root. My breath hitched, but not from lack of air. This time, it was anticipation.With trembling fingers, I flicked the lighter and the gas ignited in a blinding explosion, fire and debris hurling me through the air.Pain exploded in my limbs as I hit the ground and the force of the blast turned the room into a chaotic inferno, flames licking the walls.But I forced myself to move, crawling through the debris, my lungs burning with each gasps of smoke filled air. The acrid scent of burning metal and plastic filled my nostrils. Suddenly, a b
Asher’s P.O.VThe crisp white tux felt suffocating as I fumbled with the buttons, my reflection in the mirror absolutely mocking me. Was this really happening? Was I about to marrying a monster? How none-the wiser everyone would be, blind to the truth unfolding beneath their champagne flutes.Just then, a knock on the door startled me. “Alpha.” Came the voice through the heavy wood.“Come in, Sen.” I called in a rough voice.The door creaked open, revealing my Beta’s stoic face. He scanned the room, his gaze landing on the hidden remote nestled right under my sleeve. A flicker of understanding pasted between us and he gave me a curt nod.“Everything is in place, Alpha.” he reported. “The projector and screen are set up in the main hall, discreetly hidden behind the floral arrangements.”I nodded curtly and my stomach tightened in worry. This was the only way to do this. The door cracked open without an introduction this time and Vira appeared at the doorway. In a white silk lace dres
Anna’s P.O.VDrip, Drip, Drip.That’s the mix of sweat and blood running down my spine from where I was hung. Trying to move sent pain like a million darts ripping into my skin. So with gritted teeth, I stood on tiptoes, tears burning behind my lids.Vira was a crazy psychopath, no doubt, but what if her words had some truth to them? After all the million ways her team of doctors had tortured me to activate my phantom powers, I was starting to believe it.But why? Why won’t the so called fucking powers manifest so this torture could end? All my fucking life, I’d felt useless, hating myself for not having a wolf when my peers got theirs. I only had a useless shapeshifting ability. Now I was told I had such great powers at the tip of my fingers and I still couldn’t save myself, my babies and the others.The tear I’d been holding since I was locked in a tube without oxygen poured down my eyes and choked sobs seeped out of me. Goddess, please save my babies. I cried to myself as my sh
Asher’s P.O.V: My knuckles were white-hot around the steering wheel, the leather cool and slick beneath my clammy palms. Every muscle in my body felt coiled tight, a knot of churning anxiety that had taken root in my gut and refused to loosen it grip. It had been days since Anna’s kidnap, days that had stretched into an agoninzing eternity. To make matters worse, the wedding loomed ahead on my calender, a fucking deadline that mocked my helplessness. Marrying Vira. The very thought made my stomach churn. The woman was a viper, a fucking sicko and the last person I’d consider spending the rest of my life with. But what choice did I have? It was the only leverage I had, the only flimsy thread keeeping Anna and the kids alive. Tony had mentioned a possible lead but said I had to come to a hidden location to speak to him. It was a long shot, but fuck, it was all i had. The city soon gave way to sprawling surburbs as I droce, then slowly dissolved into a desolate landscape that h