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?"
Charlotte POVI rushed over to where he was standing, and that's when I saw her. Lily was sitting by the lake, playing in the mud, completely carefree.I rushed over to her and scooped her up in a big hug. "Lily, sweetie, you were lost! We were so worried about you!"Lily looked up at me with big brown eyes and giggled. "I was playing in the mud, and I didn't want to leave!"I couldn't help but laugh at her mischievous grin. "You're so cute. I can't get mad at you."I cooed, and she giggled, showing her dimples smile. She was so pretty."But don't run off again and scare everyone, okay?" I said in a fake scolding tone, and she nodded slowly."Yes, Auntie," She said, and I held her muddy hand. "now you're all covered in dirt and mud; let's get you back to the picnic so Hannah can see you're all fine and okay," I said, and she squealed."Yay! Nana Hannah," She said, and I chuckled; she was so cute. I turned to Humphrey, who was walking beside me with a little frown on his face."Thanks
Charlotte's POVI was about to go after Lily to make sure she got to the picnic safely when Humphrey held me back. He stared at me with a serious expression."We have to talk, Charlotte," he said, his voice low and husky.I was taken aback, confused by the sudden turn of events. "What's going on, Humphrey? What's wrong?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities; what could have possibly happened? He looked like he was about to say something serious.Humphrey hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before finally settling on mine. "I have a confession to make to you, char," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.I felt a bit nervous, and sweat ran down my back. Was it bad news?Did he do something terrible?Humphrey was making me worried; what could he possibly have to confess to me?"What is it, Humphrey? You're scaring me."He took a deep breath before beginning his confession. "Charlotte, from the moment I met you, I knew you were different. Your kindness, your compassion,
Charlotte's POVHumphrey was about to walk away, but Asher said something that broke all hell loose."You can try all you want, but remember this lowlife. Not only does she work for me, but she is also my mate, and she belongs to me.""What did you just say?" Humphrey growled in a dangerous time, which Asher blatantly ignored."I said you will never have her!"That was it. Those words were all I took to break Humphrey's self-control.All hell broke loose. Humphrey spun around, his eyes blazing with fury I had never seen before, and lunged at Asher. He grabbed Asher's shirt, pulled him close, and started punching him.I screamed in fright and surprise. Humphrey had always been a gentle and easygoing person. I had never seen him get violent or physically attack and hurt someone, except it was combat class, and I knew he was pretty good and skilled when it came to combat..Asher was taken aback and a bit off guard, not expecting Humphrey to attack him, but he quickly fought back, and soo
Charlotte's POV After Humphrey finished bandaging my nose, things were a bit awkward. I couldn't help but remember what he had said earlier, about how he had feelings for me. I had been so caught up in the fight and the aftermath that I hadn't really processed it until now.Humphrey seemed to sense the awkwardness and tried to break the silence. "So, Charlotte, are you feeling any better?"I nodded, still feeling a bit dizzy. "Yeah, thanks to you."Humphrey smiled and started to pack up the first aid kit. "Anytime, Charlotte. That's what friends are for."I watched him for a moment, feeling a flutter in my chest. Then, without thinking, I blurted out, "Humphrey, can I ask you something?"He looked up, surprised. "Sure, what is it?"I took a deep breath. "Earlier, when you said you had feelings for me... did you mean it?"Humphrey's eyes widened in surprise, and he nodded eagerly. "Yes, Charlotte, I meant it. I've had feelings for you for a long time."I felt nervous as I remembered a
Charlotte's POVI woke up early, feeling all sorts of emotions. I had slept off last night with the events of yesterday on my mind.There was Asher, whom I'd had a crush on for years and who eventually turned out to be my mate, but he rejected me and hated my guts.And then there's Humphrey, my sweet best friend who grew up with me; he confessed his feelings for me yesterday and left me shocked and dumbfounded. And to avoid hurting him, I had agreed to give him a chance. I didn't know if I had made the right decision or not, but remembering how he tried to kiss me last night and how I reacted, turning away and avoiding the kiss, I was thinking it wasn't my best decision.I was pretty much excited for school but also nervous about seeing Asher and Humphrey. I got out of bed and started getting ready, trying to shake off the nerves. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and took my bath. Throwing on a mid-length jean shirt and black shirt with low black shoes, I tied my hair in a high pon
Charlotte's POVSchool was over before I knew it, and as soon as the closing bell rang, I rushed to my locker to drop all my things. I got my bag and soon found myself standing outside and waiting for Humphrey.I couldn't believe I was going on a date with Humphrey! I had been trying to avoid him all morning, but now I was excited to spend time with him. He showed up soon with a smile on his face."Come on, Char, let's go. This is going to be so fun" He said pulling me towards his car and I giggled. "Where are you taking me to?" I said as he got into his driver's seat. "It's a surprise." Humphrey winked and started driving.Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all.Humphrey surprised me and drove to a nearby amusement park. I had never been there before, and I couldn't wait to see what it had in store.As we walked through the gates, I felt a rush of excitement. The park was colorful and lively, with music playing and people laughing. Humphrey took my hand, and we walked through the c
Charlotte's POVHis lips brushed mine, and before he could kiss me even deeper. My phone rang, breaking us apart. I shook back to reality, and both Humphrey and I stared at each other in shock.I had just kissed my best friend. I had let him kiss me. My fingers traced my lips softly. I felt nothing. I remembered my kiss with Asher a few days ago. It was everything, and the little kiss Humphrey and I shared was nothing close to what Asher had done to me.I could see the slight disappointment on Humphrey's face, and I felt embarrassed. I checked my phone to see who had called me, and of all the people to ruin my moment with Humphrey, it had to be Asher.I frowned as I stared at my ringing phone; I couldn't remember how he got my number and how I had it saved on my phone, but I knew it was it."Who's calling?" "Huh?" I acted like I didn't hear what he said at first.Humphrey looked at me curiously. "Who is it?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.I hesitated, not wanting to tell
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