Chapter 9

—Third Person POV—

As Asher held Sienna in his arms, he felt a huge pang of sorrow for her. It wasn’t like her at all to cry like she was, so it had to have cut deep.

For a good while, he let her cry against his chest. Heaving, agonizing sobs, ones she’d been holding onto for days, the pressure building inside her.

She was wheezing, wracked with the heaviest sobs he’d ever heard.

When her sobs started to lighten not long after the loudest wave, he decided it was time to speak.

“You should get some rest - you need it more than anything. All you’ve done the last few days is wear yourself thin,” he said softly, his arms staying wrapped around her.

She struggled against him, desperate to get back to her work. “My work isn’t done.”

“And it won’t be done tonight no matter what you do. The issues Nightwind is facing are far more than just one night of work.”

A whole lot more.

He knew his words struck a chord with her because of the way she froze for a moment, finally looking up to meet his gentle expression, her struggles waning.

“But I can’t fail,” she croaked, at her absolute weakest.

“You can’t force yourself to do any more,” Asher murmured, keeping his grip on her unrelenting. “You’re tearing yourself apart, Sienna.”

“I was thinking about my parents,” she whispered, averting her eyes. This was hard for her - showing emotions.

She’d always been the strong girl, never letting anything affect her. Standing tall through anything and everything.

“Bed.” His arms lifted beneath her, and she was no match for his strength.

Asher carried her swiftly to her room, dropping her onto the bed.

Definitely not thinking about that one night right now.

Our hands all over each other.

Those little noises she made.

She squirmed against him still, and he couldn’t help but laugh. He was far stronger.

“I can’t just sleep - ”

“Be a good girl and sleep now,” Asher purred, pushing her back onto the bed, sensing the tired in her body. “I’ll stay here until you’re out cold.”

He felt the shiver that ran through her, presumably from being called a good girl. Over the years, he’d noticed women having a strong reaction to him saying those two words.

A very strong reaction indeed.

Sienna wanted to protest again, but he knew the tired was creeping up on her the longer she lay there in bed. It was astonishing, really, the way she started to calm down in his presence.

Almost like he was magic.

Almost like their bond was actually real.

Within minutes, Sienna was unconscious, breathing deeply. She looked peaceful for once, all the stresses evaporated, if only temporarily.

That was the least Asher could do for her.

Asher waited a while longer before he crept from the room, quietly shutting the door behind him.

Sienna slept the whole day, not a single peep out of her once.

Asher had reviewed all the papers on the table, surprised at the way Sienna had handled so many of them with such…maturity.

Maybe everyone really was being too harsh on her, discriminating her for her age without seeing what she was capable of.

Asher hadn’t given her much of a chance yet either. No one had.

He was aware her invitations were being denied, with no interest expressed in attending her banquet, and could only imagine how that was weighing on her.

No wonder she’d broken down the way she had. Her entire world was shattering.

Maybe she thought she’d been safe with him as her chosen mate, but the issues extended so much further than that. There was still a huge chance she’d lose her status as Alpha of Nightwind.

After looking over everything, Asher hopped in the shower. When he got out, he was surprised to find Sienna’s door cracked, no sign of her anywhere in the house.

She hadn’t left a note or anything as to her whereabouts, and concern crept up his spine.

She wasn’t necessarily in the best of states - would she run off and do something rash?

Most of all, he feared she’d run back to Julian, wanting so desperately to fix things that she’d take the easy way out.

With him.

Where would she go?

He left the Alpha house, heading for the boundary once again, where he’d found Sienna last night.

It was painfully obvious that Julian and Sienna had some sort of connection, whether he betrayed her or not. Asher couldn’t figure out why that bothered him.

Because Sienna is OUR mate, the wolf in him emphasized.

I’m asking again: is she really our mate? The bond doesn’t even feel real, Asher countered, sensing the wolfs immediate anger at his doubt.

You still doubt the bond? the wolf growled.

I doubt it because it was forced. Done to save her - not out of love. Every time Asher tried to bring this up, his wolf shot him down.

It will come, was all the wolf said in response. Then it went silent on him yet again.

Asher stood in the silence for a moment, soon startled by the approach of Beta Simon behind him.

“Simon,” he nodded, grateful for his constant protection. “I was looking for Sienna.”

“I haven’t seen her, either,” Simon sighed, concern in his eyes. “I know she’s been stressed.”

“Very, very stressed.” Asher looked out across the flowing river.

“You’re aware that Alpha Julian has been blocking all the other alphas from accepting her invitation to the banquet?”

“I am,” Asher growled. “He’s a lunatic. Surely the Elder’s must see this behavior?”

“Unfortunately, a lot of the Elder’s support and trust him.” Simon looked dejected, gazing to the stars.

“People are willing to just look the other way after what happened to Sienna’s parents?” Asher said with the shake of his head. “Even those that were loyal to them?”

“It appears so. It’s disheartening, isn’t it?”

“The Elder yesterday was on my side, though,” Asher blinked, his brows furrowing a little. “Not everyone is going to look the other way.”

“Many of them will, though. Julian has a lot of power.”

Not as much power as Lucius Thorn did, though. Julian would never hold even a candle to Lucius’ powerful flame.

“Look, I want to show you something.” Asher beckoned Simon back to the Alpha house, which was still very empty of Sienna.

He tried not to let his worry rise.

She would be okay.

When the two got inside, Asher picked up the letter that Lucius had sent Sienna. One of the last sparks of hope left in this crumbling situation.

“I have an idea,” he said, showing Simon the whole letter. “You’re aware that I know Lucius well. I can convince him to come to the banquet, and with his attendance locked in, Damon will come, too.”

Simon met his eyes, a prideful look in them. “Having Lucius attend the banquet would draw all the others. Force Julian into changing his mind, too, if only to not appear a fool.”

“Exactly,” Asher nodded, a smile growing on his face. “We can save this.”

I can save you, Sienna.