Chapter 14

—Sienna’s POV—

Asher just stared at me, his eyes widening, body rigid.

I might have taken this a bit too far…but I am drunk.

Things happened when you got drunk.

“Sienna…” Asher said, sounding pained. “I’m sorry about that.”

Was he really? I searched his eyes, my gut telling me that yes, he really was.

He closed the distance between us, hovering an inch from my face. “I really, really am.”

His words echoed what I’d just thought to myself, and it was a little creepy.

“You’re not acknowledging the if you love her more part,” I blurted out with absolutely no filter at all.

“I promise I don’t. That was a part of my past - you are my future.” Asher reached down, stroking a strand of hair behind my ear.

That was a little corny, I laughed to myself. The goosebumps it gave me were undeniable, though.

Asher in general gave me goosebumps.

The way his eyes locked on mine, staring straight into my soul, filling every empty void in me.

His smell, wrapping so carefully around me, cocooning me in its comfort.

As he leaned over me on the bed, our bodies inches apart, I was prepared for him to kiss me. It was in the air, another charged moment, heating up rapidly.

But I’m drunk…my mind mumbled to me. He won’t take advantage of you when you’re like this.

No, the truth was, he wouldn’t.

That didn’t mean the hunger didn’t persist in his expression. He wanted me, he just wouldn’t take me.

Again…

I wouldn’t let him do it this way.

Even drunk, I knew that.

Asher was giving in to the temptation, so I reached out and pushed him back, two fingers against his chin.

“Bad boy,” I murmured hazily, noting the way his eyes filled with heat.

“I promise I belong to you,” he whispered, his body staying hovered above me.

The way he said it sounded so real - like he actually was mine, and mine alone.

It wasn’t real though.

“She’s in the past,” he said after a beat of silence, finally lifting himself away from me, leaving me immediately missing his warmth.

Without him there above me, the sleep crept in fast. He was still murmuring to me while he stood up, lingering at the edge of the bed.

“It’s you.” His last two words were nearly inaudible, and somehow still sent chills over my entire body.

I wasn’t going to be able to deny this connection much longer.

The world faded away around me, one thought repeating in my mind, again and again and again.

Was he really my second chance?

Sunlight surrounded me, beating on my eyelids. The only thing I could feel was the pounding in my head, deep and excruciating.

This always happened when I drank.

“Ugh,” I coughed, finding a huge cup of water on my nightstand.

Asher, I thought to myself.

I gulped down the water in a matter of seconds, taking a moment to catch my breath.

The night before was a huge haze, though I remembered the banquet was a massive success. I also remembered, in a jumble of fragments, Asher’s body over mine…

That felt nice.

But what else happened?

I pulled myself out of bed, dragging my feet to the bathroom to freshen up. The dress from the night before was pasted to my body, the stick of spilled alcohol on my fingers.

Back in my room after a quick shower, there was a knocking on the door. A lot of it.

“What, Asher?” I called out, answered only by more knocking.

I ripped the door open, about to start raging, stopping in my tracks.

It was Julian.

“What do you want?” I said in exasperation. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

He shoved me back into my room, slamming the door and locking it at his back. Anger simmered in his eyes.

“When did you start getting involved with Lucius, Sea?” he hissed, his breath stale against my face.

“What do you even mean, involved?” I shoved him away from me, disgusted at his proximity. “I’d never met him before last night.”

What’s his deal? Is he obsessed with acquiring my pack?

Yes, I sang to myself.

Julian sniffed the air, his face quickly twisting in disgust. “That gamma was in your room yesterday.”

I couldn’t do anything to stop the boisterous laugh that exploded from my chest. “Are you serious, Julian?”

He acted like he owned me. Like I was his sole property, every piece of me shackled to him.

“You should be mine, not his.”

Having a man want me like this did feel nice - but Julian was delusional. Any speck of thrill his need for me brought was erased by the motive he harbored.

He was powerful, too. And with power came consequence.

“Why are you still chasing this? It’s sad,” I glared at him, keeping as much distance between us as I could. “How did you even get in, anyway?”

“Your little beta boy let me in,” Julian said with the wave of his hand. “What matters is your future, Sea, and right now you’re ruining it.”

“My mind is set. You’re a liar - why would I ever trust you again?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Pleasure is just pleasure; anyone can give that, you know. But leadership…” he winked at me. “Only the best can do that together.”

Blah, blah, blah, blah.

“I don’t believe a word you say anymore.” I rolled my eyes, reaching for the door, only for him to grab my wrist and stop me.

“You’re wasting yourself on that gamma,” he growled, leaning way too close to me again. I really didn’t want him to be there.

“A real, mature Alpha would have let this go by now.” I shoved him away yet again, his back thudding against the door.

He grabbed me at the waist, yanking me towards him. I was far too weak to fight back, my body falling against his.

Suddenly, he stopped, smirking slowly. “I’ll prove to you our mate bond hasn’t faded.”

“Stop - ” An acidic taste fought its way into my mouth, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “We’re over!”

Why was he doing this? Did he really think he’d win me over acting like he was?

His lips brushed mine - against my will - and I bit down on his bottom lip, drawing a few drops of blood.

“What the - ” Julian jerked back, wiping at his mouth. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t want you,” I growled, unable to budge from his grip on my waist.

“Deep down, you do.”

“I don’t,” I repeat, still fighting his strength. I was so much weaker than I had been just a few weeks ago…

“Weak, aren’t you?” Julian beamed at me in amusement. Slowly, realization spread across his eyes. “Really weak.”

No, he can’t possibly -

He shoved me back, and like a paper doll, I stumbled, sprawling out from the force.

His body was now foreign over mine, uncomfortable, unwanted.

The smile on his face gave me chills.

When he spoke, his voice was laced with a dark amusement.

“I see,” he smirked, pressing down on me. “You’ve lost your wolf, haven’t you, Sea?”

Oh no.