Chapter 15

—Third Person POV—

Asher watched as Alpha Lucius kneeled in front of him, his posture that of absolute respect.

“Up,” he whispered sharply, motioning for Lucius to stand. He didn’t want anyone to see, and he really wasn’t interested in formalities.

Lucius stood with a gentle laugh, brushing aside the growing tension.

“What did you think of the banquet?” Asher asked, falling in stride with Lucius towards the park in the center of the Blackmoon pack.

“Truthfully, I was impressed. For such a small pack, it was pretty extravagant.” Lucius spoke with honesty, and Asher felt pride swell in his chest for Sienna.

She made Lucius admit that he was impressed. That was a big success.

“Did you really mean it when you said you’d partner with Nightwind?” Asher glanced at Lucius, a pang of his past striking him.

Some days, he missed his old look.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean,” Lucius peered at him with narrowed eyes. “You know that.”

“Nightwind really could use the help,” Asher sighed. “It’s a mess. You shouldn’t know that, but…”

“Most of us all know how wrecked it is.” Lucius paused under the shade of a tree, leaning against the old trunk. “Speaking of…you and Sienna.”

“What about us?” Asher shrugged nonchalantly, hoping to brush the topic off.

“Well, how is it?” He stared at Asher, genuinely curious.

Asher was tempted to lie, but he could trust Lucius with every fiber of his being. He couldn’t say this relationship was real - because it wasn’t.

“It’s…well. It’s all a lie.” Saying those words, some weight lifted from Asher’s shoulders. He was constantly faking everything around him - just this once, he could live his truth.

“You can’t mean that. I’ve never seen you care about a girl this much, Asher. She’s not your true love?”

Even Lucius can tell I have these hidden feelings? Asher thought silently. Oh boy.

“No,” Asher emphasized. “I should have loved Mia.”

Lucius shook his head, letting out a sigh. “That was ten years ago. Do you even know if she remembers you?”

Ouch.

Asher completely ignored the question, changing the subject, even though it made everything really awkward. “We should go see Sienna, talk about the partnership and what not.”

“Avoiding the topic, I see?” Lucius cocked a brow, a cheeky glint in his eye. “Fine, I won’t press it.”

Thank god, Asher mumbled to himself. He already implied she might not remember me.

The two walked back in silence towards Nightwind, trapped in a moment filled with tension brought on only by Asher’s reluctance to keep talking.

Their footsteps were the only sound for a while, the crunch of gravel filling the air.

But the closer they got, the weirder Asher felt. An ominous foreboding settled on his shoulders, and he began to worry about Sienna.

Was something wrong?

That’s when he heard the struggle inside as he approached the Alpha house.

She’s being attacked!

“Sienna!” Asher bellowed, almost knocking the front door off its hinges as he burst inside, heading for her room at light speed.

Lucius was left in the dust, not yet realizing what was happening. He took off racing after Asher, confused.

Asher nearly broke Sienna’s door as he barreled into her room, not hesitating a second as he grabbed the guy by the collar of his shirt - ripping the fabric straight down his back - and hurling him off of her.

It took him a moment to register who it was.

Then he punched Julian so hard that his jaw made a terrible cracking sound, most definitely dislocated. He was immobile only a split second before he tackled Asher right back, their wolves howling in fury.

How dare you touch our mate! Asher’s wolf roared, fueling his rage further.

They clawed, bit, and howled at each other, drawing blood as their nails slashed bare skin. It was a complete animal fight - literally - taking place on Sienna’s bedroom floor.

“You vile excuse of a man - ” Asher shouted, punching Julian again, right beneath his eye.

That’s gonna bruise.

“Pathetic low life gamma - ” Julian’s lame attempt at a blow only made Asher scoff.

If only he knew who he was really fighting. Who he was about to surrender to.

It quickly became obvious that Julian was absolutely no match for Asher. They fumbled and rolled, their imprints left on the carpet.

And Asher soon ended up on top, pinning Julian down, his hands on either side of his head.

Julian couldn’t move an inch, his muscles straining under Asher’s force.

“You’re a disgrace to the Alpha title. Get out.” Asher’s voice was colder than it had ever been, his muscles like steel, flexed and at the ready.

Asher shoved his face down to Julian’s, his eyes narrowed, the wolf in him raging. “And never, ever come back.”

“You won’t ever get rid of me,” Julian snarled, blood staining his teeth. He shoved Asher away - just barely - and stumbled up and out the door.

Running away, bruised and battered, with his tail tucked between his legs.

The loser. Someone he never, ever wanted to be, but was, and always would be, at heart.

Just a loser faking his strength.

Asher had seen the real Julian now.

As Julian left, Asher quickly turned to Sienna, a sharp, nervous exhale escaping him. She was so pale, so clearly startled and frightened.

He didn’t care how he looked, if he was bleeding or injured. He just wanted her to be okay.

So he sat next to her, pulling her into his arms, his chest pressing against her cheek. She was trembling, ever so slightly, trying not to let the depth of her fear show.

While she didn’t shed a tear, she was obviously distressed.

Asher leaned into her, his lips hovering at her ear. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

His voice was softer than he expected. More emotional than he’d heard in his head.

Raw was the best way to describe it.

When Sienna looked up, he’d expected her to look comforted, a warmth in her gaze from his contact. What he got instead was pure ice. A disconnect he’d never anticipated.

Something was off with her. There wasn’t a drop of fear in her eyes - only rage.

She was angry, so angry that she wasn’t even able to speak. The fury, though, was evident.

Of course she could be furious at Julian for molesting her. Anyone would be. But she was trembling a moment ago - in anger, then?

Suddenly, Sienna shoved Asher back, leaving the room without a word.

He heard Lucius gentle voice from in the main room of the house, Sienna’s voice ringing out.

“What a surprise to see you, Lucius,” she said so casually, far too calm after what just happened. She didn’t even sound like herself.

Her tone chilled him to the bone. She didn’t care about anything - her words were saturated in apathy.

“Sienna, are you alright - ” Lucius asked, his voice filled with concern. “We can report Julian to the Elder’s, you know.”

“Sit - forget all that. Let’s discuss that collaboration we mentioned yesterday. I’ve a few ideas I’d like to run by you.”

Asher didn’t like the darkness in her words.

What are you planning, Sienna?