Chapter 43

Third Person POV

Asher hid away in his room until he heard Sienna leave, the tables now very turned for who was avoiding who.

They could hardly have a conversation now without Mia or the divorce being brought up. It made him sad, and it irritated him instantly.

Something that constantly bothered Asher was the fact that he could feel that he and Sienna had some kind of soul bond — else why would this hurt the way it did?

He really had thought that soul bond was with Mia, except…when he looked at Mia now, he still felt only disgust.

You wouldn’t feel anything like that with a bonded soul.

But you always told yourself you’d end up with Mia. Asher’s younger self cried out to him. You promised.

“Things change,” he whispered aloud, stepping out of his room now that the coast was clear.

See, you’re coming to your senses, Asher’s wolf chuckled, smug that he was slowly switching sides.

Asher felt like Sienna just saw him as a pawn, though. A very temporary missing piece to help her in the meantime, soon to be discarded with their divorce.

After all, she paid him. So, in a twisted way, he was an employee to her.

Little did she know, though, that all the salary she paid him was secretly funneled back into Nightwind. He’d never needed the money — and he never would.

Nightwind needed it a lot more.

Asher stepped out of the Alpha house, starting the long walk to Blackmoon, where he planned on once again visiting the boutique that Lucas owned. He had a stellar tux waiting there for him.

This was his chance to stand out more than anyone else.

He entered the boutique, greeted by a beaming Lucas. “Asher! So lovely to see you. Sienna isn’t with you this time?”

“I suppose she has other dress arrangements,” Asher said, tight lipped. “Show me what you’ve got that’ll make everyone’s jaw drop.”

“Of course,” Lucas smirked. “Though I’m pretty sure anything would work on you, Mr. Blake.”

“Lucas, you know you can call me Asher.” He’d always done that — kept up the formalities, even though they’d all known each other since childhood.

“Habit,” he said with the wave of his hand, leading Asher back to the most expensive tuxes. “A lot of you coming by for the charity event today.”

Asher’s interest sparked. “Who else?”

“There he is now!” Lucas smiled his perfect host smile, and Asher turned around to see Julian walking in the boutique.

Why is he always here when I am? Asher sighed internally, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

“I can look at the tuxedo’s,” Asher nodded to Lucas. “Please, I’m begging — keep him occupied.”

Lucas hurried off to aid Julian, and Asher turned his back, his eyes scanning over the selection of tuxedos. He’d had an idea to match Sienna, but he didn’t even know the color of her dress.

So he was going to go with a custom tuxedo with Nightwind colors stitched at the shoulders and along the buttons.

“And we meet here again,” Julian says, sidling up next to Asher.

Where is Lucas? He was supposed to be keeping this prick busy.

“Are you really going to the charity event to embarrass yourself again?” Asher couldn’t resist the snide comment.

“I never embarrass myself,” Julian chuckled, sounding a lot like a hoarse hyena.

“Right,” Asher scoffed, turning his attention back to the tuxedos. “See you there, then.”

Julian was supposed to leave after that, but he stayed put next to him.

This is torture.

Asher snatched up one of the tuxedo’s in front of him, spinning on his heel to wave Lucas down, his eyes narrowed.

“I’ll do this one,” he said casually, just wanting to get out of there. “With the design I sent you embroidered in.”

“Yes,” Lucas nodded, his eyes twinkling. “A beautiful idea. I’ll have it couriered to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” Asher nodded his head, ready to take his leave of the boutique.

Mostly of Julian.

Asher briefly glanced back at Julian, finding him already staring at him, his eyes dark and soulless.

Quickly, he turned his back to him again, a shiver crossing through him. That man was not okay.

And it definitely felt like something very bad was brewing.

The flutter of a dressing room curtain to Asher’s right caught his attention, his eyes darting in that direction.

His breath caught in his throat so suddenly he almost wheezed.

Mia.

It was still hard for him to see her, so casually out and about, not recognizing him at all. Sure, he looked a lot different, but she really didn’t have any idea?

Better that she doesn’t, his wolf muttered. Wouldn’t that complicate things anyway?

Absolutely, Asher said back, his eyes not once leaving Mia.

She was wearing a stunning, very form fitting dress that left almost nothing to the imagination. Her waist was so narrow and trim, the glittering silvery blue fabric gathering at the gentle swell of her hips.

By the time Asher’s gaze moved up from her hips, she had spotted him, a smirk plastered across her face. She’d obviously caught him in the act of checking her out hard.

Mia knew she was beautiful — wickedly so. She used that to her advantage, even when she was younger, but in a much more innocent way.

Now, she was savage, using her beauty to get her more power over anything else.

She beckoned him over with the curl of her index finger, her eyes flashing with a mischief Asher wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with.

But he couldn’t just walk away from her — that would be rude.

So he strolled over, ignoring the beat of his heart in his chest, and stopped in front of her.

“I take it you like the dress,” she smiled, a sly look in her eye.

“It suits you,” Asher nodded, forcing his eyes to stay on her face. Only her face.

Not the ridiculous cleavage at her chest.

Definitely not the curve of her sexy hips.

“That’s it?” Mia raised her eyebrows in disbelief, playing up her shock.

“What else do you want?” That familiar prickle of annoyance started creeping along Asher’s back, his growing arousal extinguished by it.

“I could list a lot of things I want,” Mia purred, the currents of electricity in the air between them starting to spike.

Okay, well, our chemistry sure isn’t gone. But that means nothing.

You have a mate, his wolf growled in warning. Don’t you dare.

I’m not going to do anything! Asher shot back, almost rolling his eyes, stopping himself a split second before he did.

“Well, good luck with all those things. I see you’re going to the event?” Asher expertly shifted the conversation away from anymore flirting.

“Wouldn’t miss it, especially since I’m a temporary Nightwind citizen.” Mia laughed, flipping her glossy black hair over her shoulder.

“And exactly how much longer are you a citizen?” If only she’d say she was leaving soon.

“Until I prove Sienna isn’t fit for her position,” Mia smiled, turning to admire herself in the wall of mirrors behind her.

The dress reflected a million different lights, making Mia look like a supermodel.

Asher tore his gaze away, giving her nothing but a nod. “I suppose I’ll see you there.”

“Oh yes you most definitely will,” she hummed as he walked away, ducking out of the boutique before anyone else could wind him up.

He could feel her smirk burning into the back of his neck.