Chapter 31

Third Person POV

Mia was looking at him. Right at him.

Does she recognize me? Asher whispered in his mind, forcing his heart to stay even, beating with no irregularity.

But that was impossible. His heart was absolutely thumping in his chest with Mia staring at him, a small smirk on her lips.

Something Asher had locked away long ago stirred in the pits of his soul, seeing her standing there in front of him, more beautiful than ever.

Yet there was a part of him that swayed towards Sienna, despite his past with Mia. A fierce loyalty had awakened in him, at some point, for Sienna.

That would be me, here to stop you from making stupid decisions about someone in your past, his wolf growled to him.

But Mia, Asher countered, his eyes glued to her.

Mia is your past. His wolf spoke in such a way that it was obvious the conversation was immediately over.

Sure, Mia was Asher’s past, but couldn’t she be his future too?

A heat trickled up Asher’s spine, Mia’s attraction to him quite obvious.

Though it was clear by now that she hadn’t recognized him as Alaric.

Relief was an understatement to how Asher felt.

Sienna bristled at Asher’s side, their tender words from a few minutes ago now extinguished and forgotten.

“Nice to finally meet you,” Mia smiled at Asher, completely ignoring Sienna. “I’d love to sit down and talk with you alone.”

“And why is that?” Sienna cut in, her jealousy scenting up the air.

“You see, I like to assess both sides of the relationship.” Mia turned her attention to Sienna, finally, a prideful look in her eye. “See if there’s anything the other wants to say in private, something they might not say in front of their partner.”

Why did it seem like Mia was trying to start drama?

“To me that just sounds like you’re trying to drive a wedge between partners,” Sienna shot back, completely reading Asher’s mind.

“Not at all,” Mia shrugged, unfazed by Sienna’s venom. “It’s just my process.”

“Your process.” Sienna said it not as a question, but a statement, her arms crossing over her chest like they always did when she was locked in.

“Yep!” Mia said brightly, turning her attention back to Asher, that damned hunger in her eyes like every other woman that glanced in Asher’s direction.

He was used to it, except this time, it was Mia.

And Mia made him weak.

Asher rested a hand on Sienna’s shoulder, noticing how she tensed at his touch, instead of comforting the way she usually did.

Ouch, he winced internally, though he understood the tension was high. This was really, really awkward for him.

“Sienna, it’s okay — I’ll go. You know I have nothing negative to say about any of this.” Asher met Mia’s gaze, shivering at the coldness he could see lingering just beneath the surface.

Sienna’s fists clench, and she steps away from Asher just one single step. Mia’s eyes dart to the sliver of distance between them, hounding in on their tension.

She’d never missed a beat before, and now, all these years later, she still didn’t.

“Fine,” Sienna muttered. “Have a nice outing.” She brushed past Mia without another word, slipping inside the Alpha house, barely able to resist slamming the door behind her.

Mia raised an eyebrow, glancing over her shoulder where Sienna had just disappeared. “Seems a bit moody.”

Asher cleared his throat, ignoring the way Mia’s smooth voice set him off.

“Well, a lot rests on her shoulders. She has reason to be tense.”

“Mmm.” Mia shrugged the subject off, linking her arm through his, her touch sending an electric current through Asher.

This is Mia. Here. Next to me.

He couldn’t quite wrap his head around that fact. Everything just continued to get more and more complicated, like the world was desperate to rip him and Sienna apart.

Perhaps that’s what’s fated to be, Asher murmured to himself, the bark of his wolf quick to object.

You will not defy the bond, it snarled, heating up his whole body.

I certainly won’t deny the bond with Mia, Asher said back.

NOT THAT BOND!!! His wolf was furious, the anger rippling through every muscle in Asher.

Calm down, Asher hissed back. This is a tricky situation.

You are ridiculous, his wolf responded dismissively, obviously disappointed in his lingering loyalty to Mia. She doesn’t even know who you are.

That stung, but wasn’t it better she didn’t know? This just meant his secret was extremely well kept.

His transformation had been so great that even the love of his life couldn’t recognize him.

But are you really the love of hers? his wolf said snidely, digging the dagger in deeper.

Asher said nothing back, refocusing on Mia next to him.

Beautiful Mia.

His Mia.

His eyes skimmed over her face, taking in the beauty that had only grown more intense over their years apart.

Her hair was long and dark, shining in the light of the morning, the olive hue of her skin shimmering with it.

She’d always loved to paint her nails black, and there they were, a matte black, the same as so many years ago.

“While I love being analyzed by you,” Mia purred, jerking Asher back to reality. “How about we go and get a bite to eat nearby?”

“Yes,” Asher responded robotically, his ears burning with blush. Thankfully, his longer hair covered that up for him.

“Any suggestions?” Mia asked cheerfully, falling into step beside him, so purposely brushing the bare skin of her arm against his toned upper arm.

“Uh.” Asher was flustered, struggling to think clearly. “There’s a few nice places just outside the main square.”

“The main square seems touristy,” Mia observed, staring ahead on the path.

“What else would it be? It’s to draw in visitors and be a major focal point for the pack.” Asher bristled with annoyance, seeing the way Mia so happily attacked any little thing about the pack that she could.

“It could be classier,” she shrugged. “I’m staying a cabin or so down from the main potions shop.”

“That’s what Nightwind is known for,” Asher said with a smile. “We’re proud to offer the range of antidotes and health boosts that we do.”

“Are you proud of it though?” Mia sang, picking up on the tiniest bit of hesitation in his tone. She was stellar.

“Nightwind is heading towards a very positive recovery,” Asher responded, keeping his voice calm and steady to not bait the shark in her.

“I’m not sure you believe that.”

“I do.” Asher did believe Nightwind was getting better, its improvement pretty obvious with the growing partnerships with bigger and bigger merchants.

“I know of the partnerships,” Mia said with a glint in her eye. “I equate that to a whole lot of luck — luck that might very well be temporary.”

“I don’t agree.” Asher shook his head, keeping his eyes forward, the main square coming into sight in the distance.

“You know what I also think?” Mia said, stopping them in their tracks so she could look right at him. “I think it’s a whole lot of pity.”

Asher’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes drawing towards her lips as they parted to say more.

“A whole lot of pity that won’t last forever. A girl that young shouldn’t be in charge.” Mia’s eyes narrowed, and soon the chilled moment was over as she spun on her heel, resuming their leisurely pace towards the square.

“Anyway,” Mia giggled, that laugh that meant she knew she was right and nothing else could be said to convince her. “Let’s get to that breakfast, hmmm?”

Oh, boy, this is a total mess.