Chapter 23Charlotte's POVMy cheeks turned red, and my eyes watered. What did I just do? Asher moved away with his back turned to me. I could see his hands running through his hair, and I quickly grabbed my underwear and threw it back on, zipping back my costume.What had gotten into me?Asher kissed me twice! And I responded. He touched me, and I'd let him touch me; what was I thinking?His back was turned to me, and I heard him let out what sounded like a sigh of frustration. One moment, Asher's lips were pressed against mine, and the next, he had pulled away, his face twisted in disgust. He turned his back on me, just like when he rejected me as his mate.I felt like I had been slapped. Confusion and hurt swirled inside me, mixed with a healthy dose of anger. Why had I let Asher touch me? Why had I let my guard down?I couldn't deny it felt so good. My wolf was pleasantly excited, and I could hear her purr. I couldn't tell if it was the mate bond or if it was Asher, but the feel
Charlotte's POV I got to school in no time and walked through the school gates, feeling a bit nervous and excited. I was going to see Asher, and I didn't know how to face him or react. I didn't know what we were at the moment, if he liked me or not. I was confused, but for some reason, I wanted him to notice me. I had spent extra time preparing that morning, curling my hair and applying a subtle amount of makeup. I had chosen a bright yellow sundress with white flowers, hoping to draw a little of his attention at least.I wasn't overly pretty, but Humphrey made sure to compliment me and tell me how good-looking I was, and it boosted my confidence a little.Walking down the hallway, I spotted him leaning against his locker, talking to his friends. My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him. He was dressed so casually and leaned against the locker with his hands in his pocket as he talked to Tristen and some other boys in their group.How could one be so attractive without doing anyth
Charlotte's POVAfter the little talk with Humphrey and my revelation to him about the kiss, I noticed Asher and Brittany weren't at the spot I'd seen them standing early. They had left. I sighed and let Humphrey walk me to class."Be a good girl and pay attention to what's being taught, okay?" He said, like a father talking to his little daughter. I nodded and walked into the class, sitting at the usual spot.I sighted Asher at the other end of the class, where he sat with his friend, and to my surprise, Brittany also sat with him. I clenched my pen and tore my gaze away; I didn't want him to notice me watching them or think I cared.I took a deep breath and tried to ignore them, focusing on the lecture. The rest of the class went well and fast, and soon, the bell rang, signaling it was the break period. Everyone left the class, and I walked to my locker to place my books and other materials."Hey Char!" Humphrey called, walking towards me excitedly."Let's go get lunch," He said, pu
Charlotte's POV "Humphrey, Charlotte!"My mom's face lit up with a warm smile as we approached her bedside. "What an unexpected visit," She chuckled. Her voice sounded so much stronger, and she looked healthier. The bags under her eyes were gone, and it looked like she had gained a little weight. I guess the nurse wasn't lying about Mom getting better. Seeing her in this condition made me happy and filled my heart with joy.I rushed to her and envelope her in a hug, and she hugged me back. "Mom," I mumbled, and she patted my back gently."Hey, sweetie! I'm so glad you're here," she said, her voice full of love. I pulled back and stared at her with a smile."You look so much better," I said to her, and she chuckled."Yes, I've been told; I do feel much better, too. The hospital staff have been the best."Humphrey stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern. "Hi, Aunt Zora," he said nervously, and Mom stretched out her hand and pulled him in a hug."Humphrey, it's been a while. You'v
Charlotte's POVThe next day, I woke up excited; I decided to skip school to go to the hospital instead. Mom was going to be discharged today, and I was pretty excited. Finally, she wouldn't be in the hospital anymore, and I wouldn't have many bills to pay anymore. Although she would still be on house rest and have many medications, it was better than staying cooped up in a hospital.Since Mom was being discharged, it meant her condition had improved, and she was doing better. I hadn't smiled so much in a while. I skipped to where I took a cab, and my phone rang in the vehicle. I took it out of my purse to see it was Humphrey calling me. "Hi, Humphrey," I said, my excitement evident in my voice."Someone sure sounds happy; any reason in particular?" He said in a teasing voice, and I chuckled."Mom is being discharged today, Humphrey!" I almost screamed, and Humphrey gasped."Oh my! That's great news. That explains your absence from school, you should've told me earlier. I would have
Charlotte's POV"You know, I've always wanted this one bag. It's been on my wish list for ages!" The Luna said loudly to my mom."Is that so?" Mom replied, sounding interested."Yes, but I have been so busy. I was hoping to go to the mall to get it on my way from the hospital as it's almost sold out, but seeing you there, I couldn't leave an old friend. And going to the mall with you, who has just gotten discharged, isn't the best idea," The Luna said, and I immediately felt terrible."I wouldn't want to be in your way, Jasmine. You can just drop Charlotte and me here and go pick up the bag at the mall. It will be a shame for you to miss it. You sound so excited, and I know you really want to get the back," Mom said, but the Luna shook her head and waved her hand."Nonsense! That isn't proper. I can't just drop you here, don't worry, Zora, I will drop you two home. And besides, I have another pack meeting to attend. Shopping for a bag at the mall would take ages." The Luna sounds swee
Charlotte's POV"What was that all about? What did you do back at the store?" He asked and I snapped at him. "You're asking me that?" I scoffed at him. "You know exactly what happened! You were in there, flirting with that attendant, holding her hand, and looking all concerned. And then you have the nerve to ask me what's wrong?"Asher looked taken aback. "Charlotte, I wasn't flirting with her. She was just......"I cut him off, my voice rising. "Don't lie to me, Asher! I saw the way she was looking at you, the way you looked at her. Did you ever look at me that way? And then you come out here and hold my hand like everything is okay? What game are you playing, Asher?"Asher looked at me, his eyes hardening. "Charlotte, what are you talking about? Games? What games? She tripped, and I caught her .."I pulled my hand out of his, my anger and hurt boiling over. "Oh, Prince charming, catching everyone that falls for him," I said sarcastically, and he frowned. "You kissed me that night,
Charlotte's POVI knew Clarice was about to attack me, and I was preparing myself for her when someone suddenly walked in, making the both of us freeze.He looked between me and Clarice, who was holding her cheeks, her eyes now welding up in tears."What's going on here?" He asked, and I returned to sit on the bed, knowing Clarice would never attack with Asher here."Nothing," I mumbled, but Clarice screamed in tears."Y.. young master, she hit me. That.. t.. Charlotte hit me across the face." She cried, but Asher paid her no attention and kept staring at me."Young Master Asher, did you hear-""Leave," Asher said without looking at her in a cold voice, and she gave him a look of disbelief."W.. what, I said she... Hit me," Clarice said, but Asher walked over to the table to take the food tray."Leave now, or I'll get the guards," He said coldly, and Clarice burst out crying before leaving the room in tears.After Clarice left, Asher turned to me with a cold expression. "You hit her?"
Asher’s car came to a stop outside my home. My fingers twitched, clutching the fabric of my coat with more force than necessary. I could feel the weight of his gaze without having to look at him, though I knew it wasn't pity. No, it was something deeper, something that came with the understanding of a loss that wasn't his own.I opened the door with a force that startled me and I stepped out of the car. Asher walked me down to the doorstep and kissed me softly before I went in.I walked up to my room and everything felt still, yet somehow, there was a profound sense of absence, a void that seemed to wrap itself around me. Each step felt heavier than the last, and the gnawing sensation of guilt gnawed at me, refusing to let me find peace.Humphrey was gone. He was truly gone. He’d left with a quiet resignation that shattered me more deeply than any words could. I hadn’t fought hard enough for him to stay. Instead, I’d let him slip away, believing that it was for the best. But now, stan
I stood on the opposite side of the street, my gaze fixed on her as she lingered at the end of the sidewalk. When our eyes finally met, I saw the instant flicker of recognition ignite in hers, quickly followed by an emotional wave that surged through her, an intensity that struck me to my core. It was a look I had witnessed before, yet its power never ceased to leave me breathless.Her eyes locked onto mine, and in that split second, the weight of everything I had been avoiding came crashing down. Her body trembled as she stepped closer, her eyes shimmering with unspoken pain. She didn’t say anything, but her distress was obvious.I didn’t even think before I opened my arms, pulling her into my embrace. She fell against me, her sobs soaking into my shirt, but I didn’t mind. Her pain was like a raw wound, and I would have let it consume me if it meant giving her comfort."He’s leaving me," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of the sorrow that spilled out with the words.
CHARLOTTE'S POVI looked up from my phone, just as the cab pulled up at the pack house. “Thank you,” I said to the driver and got down with excitement coursing through my veins. I pressed the doorbell and only had to wait for a few minutes before a maid opened the door.She smiled warmly and ushered me in. “He's not around but you can wait for him in his room,” she says. “He will be back before you know it.”I returned the smile and made my way to Asher's room without any form of assistance. I pushed the door open and I'm immediately greeted by the sight of Asher's bed in a state of turmoil. I chuckled and walked in.Just like one would expect from a boy, Asher's room barely stays clean. I picked up a few shirts from his bed to make space for me and dropped them in his closet.I reclined on the soft bed as I scrolled through my phone. Just as I contemplated dialing Asher to inform him that I had arrived at the pack house, the door swung open, and he walked in. He looked disheveled, his
Asher's POV"Tyler, get your dick out of that bitch and get your ass to my house in 5 mins, we need to pay someone a visit!" I growled to the phone and hung up.Someone knocked on my door, and I mumbled for the person to enter. A blonde maid entered with a tray; I was a bit surprised, that was fast from the chef.The tray had a bowl containing some kind of soup in it. I watched her drop the tray on the table, and she bent in front of me, making her white lacy underwear visible. I knew what she was trying to do, so I pulled her by the skirt. She landed on my thigh and made a soft moan-like sound."Master Asher," she whispered seductively, and her eyes blinked in fake innocence. I stared at her for a moment, wondering if I should throw her on the bed and fuck the life out of her, but for some reason, I couldn't. Charlotte's sweet face appeared in my head, and I couldn't imagine touching some other girl that wasn't her. I was suddenly irritated by the girl in my arms, and I growled at h
Charlotte's POVTHE NEXT DAY "Mom, hurry, we have to leave," I yelled, and Mom came rushing down the stairs giggling."Calm down, will you? A lady has to take her time to dress," She said, and I rolled my eyes."That should be my line," I huffed at her, and she just smiled. We got out of the house and got into the cab that was waiting outside the door.I gave him the address of Mom's hospital, and we set off. On the way to the hospital, I texted Asher to make sure he was okay, and I was surprised when he informed me that he was going to be discharged today. Wasn't it too early?It's barely been three days since the accident and since he was rushed there. I sighed, thinking about how fast his injuries must have healed; he was the Alpha's son, after all, and was stronger than the bunch. The hospital probably only helped speed up his recovery and monitored him. Knowing Asher, I knew he was kind enough to nag and complain about everything, including not staying in the hospital for so lon
Asher's POV "That's all, Master Asher, you're healing so well and fast; it's very impressive!" The nurse said with a slight blush on her face."When do I get to leave here?" I asked her coldly, and she remained silent for a while before checking her note."Well, according to the hospital policies, you'll still have to stay for about a week until we are sure you're okay and fit to leave," She said, and I scoffed. A week? I was going to be couped up in this room for a week. "A week?" I hissed at her. "I'm healing just fine. I don't feel weak or tired; there's only a little scratch on my head that has stopped bleeding, and I will probably leave there by tomorrow. I don't need to stay here all couped up in this room for another week, all in the name of healing," I said, and she flinched at how harsh my tone was, not that I cared about her."W.. well, you can't leave, according to the hospital -""I am the son of the Alphas; I'm not just some regular patient here; you all should be grate
Asher's POV"Well?" I pressed, annoyed, and his face turned serious."It's Humphrey"I was taken aback. "Humphrey?" I mumbled, my eyes narrowing. Could it be.. the same Humphrey?I shook my head; no, it couldn't be. Why would he? How could he.. was he stupid?Being popular in school made everyone want me as their friend and boyfriend. And as many friends as the popularity brought me, it also gathered enemies for me.I knew there were some boys who didn't like me, with that idea that every girl around was fawning over me, and even their crushes and girlfriends shamelessly threw themselves at me.However, since I was not only popular but also came from an influential family, they didn't dare to face me. I was the only son and heir of the Alphas and Luna; I knew every parent wanted their children to be acquainted with the son of the Alphas.And even though they didn't like me, they would put on fake smiles around me and try to make me notice them, not just the boys, but the desperate gir
Charlotte's POV "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm here to inform you that the time is up. Our patient needs to rest," She said, and I mouthed an "oh." "I will be out now," I said, and she nodded and left. I turned to Asher and kissed his forehead. "I have to leave now; I'll be back tomorrow, promise, I said to him, and he smirked back at me. "You don't have to worry about me; I'll be fine," He said, trying to act strong, and I rolled my eyes at him. "I know," I said and got up; I waved at him and left the room. Sophie and Tyler were still sitting where I had left them. They were having a conversation, and Sophie had a little smile on her face. I frowned; although Tyler was close friends with Asher, I still didn't like or want him around me. He was my bully, and that would never change. From how he reacted at the dance night, I knew he wasn't too happy to learn Asher and I were together, not that I cared about what he liked and didn't. "Come on, Sophie, let's go," I said, and she
Charlotte's POVThe doctor, Bell, paused for a while, and then her expression softened, and she offered a small smile. "Asher is fine. He needs a few days to heal, but he is going to be okay," Doctor Bell announced, and everyone simultaneously let out a breath of relief.I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, and my heart swelled with gratitude. We had all been on edge, awaiting news of Asher's condition.And now, the doctor was out with a smile on her face and was assuring us that Asher would be fine and would recover quickly.Luna Jasmine gasped and ran to her husband, who hugged her back. He stroked her hair softly, and I heard him number something along the lines of, "I told you not to worry, Love. Doctor Bell is here, and she'll make sure Asher recovers quickly," He said, and Luna only nodded quietly.But then, the doctor dropped a bombshell. "Asher is now conscious, which is abnormal, given the severity of his injuries. However, as the Alpha's son, he's stronger than most."Luna