Asher
3 months later…
I let the window of my car down and took a deep breath. The air felt fresh, immediately bringing in a sense of familiarity with it. It has been months since I have been away from home because of my training at the BlackRiver pack in Spain. It was an integral rule for an Alpha to train at another pack to gain more knowledge and experience that was needed to fit the role.
The past eight months have been great, and it was amazing training at BlackRiver. But I was so glad to be back home, GrayCrest.
“It’s good to have you back, brother,” I whirled my head around and Noah gave me a smile. He was my elder brother and one of those saints who didn’t belong in this cruel world.
“It’s good to be back,” I agreed.
"The pack is eager to greet you. And so are Rose and Cora."I smiled, realizing how long it has been since I saw my family. The two women Noah mentioned were my brothers' mates. Rose was Noah's mate and Cora was my eldest brother, Logan's mate. Together they had a two-year-old son, Theo, while the former couple had an adorable little girl, Aurora. As for me...
“You are the one without a mate,” Mac, my wolf grimaced.
Yeah, I was the one without a mate. A fleeting memory crossed through my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. I was happy without a mate because I just do not believe in the concept. The whole thing makes life complicated. And I hate complications with a passion. As an Alpha, I already have plenty.
"So, met anyone special back at BlackRiver?” Noah raised a brow. I knew he must have been dying to ask this from the moment he picked me up.
“I came back alone, didn’t I?” I retorted.
“So, no one?” He sounded disappointed.
“I had my fair share of fun, as always,” I replied disinterestedly. “Spanish women are stunning.”
“Not stunning enough to entice you into making one of them your Luna?”
“No,”
“Asher, you are twenty-six now. You have to find a mate. Your position can be challenged without a Luna, you know that right?”
“I come back after eight months and that’s all you got?” I scowled.
“Alright, sorry,” he raised his left arm in defense. “Welcome back home. It did not feel the same without you,” I was about to retort but got lost in nostalgia as the enormous iron gates opened, revealing the smooth, circular drive through the forested area. The Alpha House and the pack were tucked further uphill, and it was one of the most stunning places to be, surrounded by the beautiful Adirondack mountains.
“Everyone is gathered in the living room to welcome you,” Noah said, pulling outside the garage. “You go ahead, I will park and be there with you,” I nodded and climbed out, immediately greeted with the scent of fall and home. It was just another day at the pack, I realized, as I jogged towards the Alpha house while glancing around and taking everything in.
The omegas were busy at work. The warriors were training. I spotted Eli, my best friend, and the Delta of the pack, training the younger boys who were yet to shift. He waved at me and mindlinked: “See you in a bit!”
“Oh, fuck!” The strong yet feminine voice distracted me from responding, and I blinked as something, no, someone, crashed straight into my chest. But it wasn’t the impact that caught my attention.
It was THE scent.
It was so extremely heady and potent that it made all my senses go numb for a second. But after that, it felt like the world came crashing down on me. My body started heating, my heart suddenly pounding furiously in my chest while a tremor curled down my spine. My wolf stirred, pushing me to move back and find the owner of that scent.
Blood rushed through my veins like a dam-gate opening as I peered down and blinked at the piercing blue eyes that gazed up at me. And right at that moment, time stopped, the world froze, and everything went to a standstill. All I could focus on at that moment was her. It was like everything disappeared, and it was her…and that scent.
“Mate,” Mac whispered, a tremor rolling down my spine again. “My…mate…”
I froze, and she froze and nothing seemed to make sense as we stood and stared at each other, eyes wide while shock erupted through my system.
“Ah, you guys met already,” It was Noah’s voice, somewhere behind me. “Ash, this is our new warrior and sworn guard for Cora and Rose…Ivyanka,”
I blinked and so did she, and the next word that rolled through her tongue brought back a long, lost memory buried deep in my mind. From shock, her eyes narrowed into slits as she shot me a dark scowl and hissed…
“You!”
IvyMate,” Silver, my wolf, mumbled, giving me goosebumps all over as I aimlessly stared at the man in front of me. “Oh my, that’s him again!”He was very tall, with dark eyes that seemed to pierce through my soul. His extremely sharp face was covered in a stubble paired with a shock of unruly, unkempt curly dark hair. And beneath his fitted white T-shirt, sticking to his body like glue, I could already see the fine line of muscles and abs and tattoos peeking out from the deep v-neck. He wore a diamond stud in his right ear and there was a piercing on his left eyebrow as well."Asher!” Alpha Noah called, strolling over to us while the two of us stared at each other like robots. Shock was an understatement for what I felt at the moment. Especially after knowing who this man was.This was Alpha Asher Gray, the youngest Alpha of GrayCrest, one of the most powerful packs in the world.This was…my mate.And the man who ran away from me, from the bond two years ago.“You!” I hissed, scowling
Asher What were the odds of running into the same woman I ran away from two years ago? The woman whose face was a blur in my memory but who has still managed to haunt my dreams every single night since I collided into her.How was that even possible?“It’s her,” Mac whispered. “I will never forget the scent.” I felt doomed, nausea hitting me hard as I met her sparkling blue eyes that simmered with annoyance. The way she held my gaze, the hold much stronger than just eye contact, it made me want to turn and run for the hills.Approximately two years ago, I was on my usual clubbing spree, getting drunk and looking for the next pussy to fuck when I caught a glimpse of her. Just a glimpse. I was instantly drawn to her and followed her like a lost puppy but somehow ended up losing her. However, it was when I was making out with my fuck-mate for the night outside the ladies room, that I crashed into her again. One whiff of that intoxicating scent and I was sent rolling into shock as my wo
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
AsherThis was fucked up on a whole other level. “You are being unreasonable,” Mac said flatly as I stormed into my room and slammed the door shut. “Just accept it. You have a mate now. How long do you think you can run? Isn’t it pretty clear you can’t? It’s fate, Ash. Otherwise, you won’t run into her again. Mates are for life, just accept it. She is the one for you.” “Shut up! Shut up!” I growled, my mind spiraling. I just…I had no idea how to process this. I wasn’t ready for a mate. I do not want a mate. “It isn’t a big deal,” Mac assured me. “Just let her in, and you will see how easily everything falls into place.” “No, it’s not. It’s too much work…it…no, I can’t,” I flopped down on the bed and placed my head in my hands. I was hardcore panicking, sweat beading on my forehead. I have never dated, never had a conversation with a woman that didn’t start with sex and end with sex. Heck, I don’t even know how it feels to love someone. I love my family fiercely, but I’m sure it wa
Asher “Dad…what?” I snarled, appalled at the audacity of that man. “Yeah,” both Logan and Noah nodded. “Who does he think he is? Do I look like a kid? Am the damn Alpha of the pack!” I shouted, my blood boiling with fury. "Exactly, Asher. That's precisely the point. You can't keep fooling around," Logan's voice was firm. "You're way past the age of just messing about. It's time to find a mate and settle down with a family. And no matter how many kids Noah and I have, you still need to produce an heir. It's your duty."He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "If Dad arranges a mating ball, think about the kind of girls you'll find there. Rich, entitled daughters of alphas who'd do anything to be your Luna. Not because they want you, but because of your money and the power it brings. Imagine how that'll turn out for you."“Yeah. Ivy might not be what you are used to but she is your mate for a reason. And from what I have seen, she is very honest and true to herself. And a
IvyI stared at the clear water of the small pond built within the pack, feeling torn. Did all this mess with Asher really have to happen now? A mate was the last thing I needed, especially one who happened to be the Alpha of the pack. Accepting him would make me the Luna of the very pack I was betraying. It was a sin, but did I have a choice? Didn’t the moon goddess have enough already? Why did she have to do this to me now?"Maybe a mate is exactly what you need right now," Silver suggested.I grimaced in response. "Are you serious? This will only complicate things further, Silver. If I accept Asher, I'd have to marry him, accept his mark, and be bound to him through the mindlink. It would be impossible for me to follow through Killian’s plans. If Asher finds out the truth about why I'm here and the lies I've told Noah and Logan... it's treason. I'm not afraid to face the consequences, but not until I know my father is safe.""So, what's your plan now? How do you intend to resist a m
IvyThe lake house was at the far end of the endless forest draped around the GrayCrest territory. The lake was beautiful, stretching out as far as eyes could see, and built on its bank was a pretty wooden lake house. It was an immensely peaceful place, which I would often visit when there wasn’t any training or anything else to do.But it looked far from peaceful at the moment.The thundering music could be heard all the way to the primary perimeter, the area closest to the pack house. The lake house was located near the final perimeter, where the GrayCrest territory ends. As we got closer, I could hear a lot of noises, people shouting and whistling and, of course, the stench of alcohol. It immediately repulsed me because I just hated noise with a passion.“I want to go back,” I muttered under my breath.“Oh, come on,” Eli said, dragging me by the arm.“Yeah, let’s get drunk,” the girl beside me exclaimed, excitement radiating off her in waves. Naya was Eli’s twin sister and just like
AsherPanic. That was the first emotion I felt. It hit me like a damn wrecking ball. My reflexes were on overdrive as I pushed the blonde away and dashed towards the lake almost. I had caught a glimpse of her from the corner of my eye as she stood there, sipping beer or something. My mind was set on ignoring her and focusing on the blonde and her wet, sloppy kissed. But with her standing merely a few feet away, it was a struggle. I barely registered the kisses. And the moment her scream reached me and I spotted her toppling headfirst into the cold, dark water of the lake, everything, just everything, went to hell. My heart almost lurched into my mouth with fear, my feet moving on their own accord towards her.“Move!” I growled, pushing through the crowd, who stood there watching and enjoying the drama, not even attempting to help her.“Ivy!” It was Eli’s panicked voice. And he looked just as panicked as he sounded, ready to jump. But before he could have a chance, I was already in the