Chapter 20

Asher's point of view

I was rooted to the sofa. My darkened eyes watched Andy halt right before my mate. His lips twitched in a mischievous smile, causing the guys to release unison laughter and cheers. They probably thought something was funny, but I didn't. And the look on Cirilla's face was unreadable. There was no way of telling exactly what was going through her mind, but I was in chaos. Ryker had gone ballistic, battling me for control.

He wanted to cut off Andy's hand that he had brought to my mate. He wanted to detach the miserable bastard's head from his body and rip out his heart. I wanted that too. I badly wanted that. Cirilla was mine. No one had the right to have her, let alone touch her.

I was seething with rage, burning with jealousy, and dying from frustration. I watched as Andy's hand landed on her face. Fuck! I lost it. I couldn't sit still and watch one of my pack warriors touch my mate, in my very own presence.

My eyes had darkened. I didn't even realize Ryker and I had slowly merged as one, and I was growling. I didn't even realize my nails elongated into claws, piercing into my palm as my hand was curled in a ball. Blood rushed from my hand. I saw red completely, and that meant someone was about to die.

Ryker was in agreement that Andy deserved to die. I was already up on my feet when Andy pulled his face closer to Cirilla, and to my surprise, she pulled away, her unwavering, flawless smile appearing.

"Sorry Andy, but I'll just drink up." She said sweetly with a persistent smile, reaching for a drink that was in the middle of the circle they formed, and she gulped it down at once.

I froze. Her instant action surprised me. I wasn't quite sure what Andy was still waiting for, still standing beside my mate. Ryker's anger that had lessened intensified instantly. Before I could stop my wolf, he growled within the walls of my mind, connecting to Andy through the mind link.

"If you value your life, Andy, get away from her, or I swear to the goddess I won't hesitate to detach your head from your body," Ryker warned in his beastly tone.

Andy's eyes widened, snapping at me. He was brutally terrified. Quickly, he withdrew from Cirilla, putting a safe distance between them.

Ryker retreated to the back of my mind and I took control once again. He was furious with me, growling at the back of my mind.

Speedily, I rushed out of the gaming parlor. I needed some air. I went out to the balcony to calm myself. I can't believe that I almost lost it and was a second away from murdering a member of my pack. I ran my hands through my thick black hair, tugging at it in frustration.

I totally lost it. I lost it. I could still feel my aching body. Fuck! I didn't know what happened. I wasn't in control and this was all because of Andy. He was extremely lucky or I would have ripped his heart apart. His body would have been shredded into unrecognizable pieces.

I felt the same anger from earlier brewing up again. Ryker was getting more furious. I needed Cirilla badly. I needed her scent to calm my raging emotions. I shut my eyes, instead trying to make do with the night's crisp and calming air on the balcony. I felt a few steps move towards me. But I didn't look its way knowing who exactly it was.

"You can be honest with me now." I heard Stefan's voice draw closer to me. "Cirilla, is your mate, isn't she? That's why you've been acting... not like the usual you around her, and especially tonight. With the almost kiss between her and Andy–"

I growled, silencing him for bringing it up again. He held his hands up in the air. "Chill man! Is Cirilla your mate? "

I looked away, staring into the darkness. I nodded gently. For the first time, I accepted that she was mine.

"Fuck, man!" Stefan huffed out in shock. My eyes went to the entrance, and Wren was standing there, looking as surprised as Stefan.

I sighed. Great, now someone else knows Cirilla is my mate.

"I knew it. I knew it. But it just didn't make sense why you hadn't claimed her yet if she was your mate, so I thought, no way."

"Believe me, I would want nothing more than that." I mean it. I really do. Nothing would make me happier than claiming her as mine. Placing my mark on her, making love to her, and giving her the respect she deserves, but that couldn't be.

"And why not Asher? I don't get it?" Stefan asked while Wren leaned against the wall, listening.

I groaned in outright aggravation. I also didn't get it. But things weren't that simple, at least not with Azalea just waiting to take control and what? Have Cirilla killed? I would die if something happened to her because of me. I closed my eyes. "It's not that simple, Stef." I sighed, explaining everything to them.

"So basically, you are saying your demon wants Cirilla's blood," Stefan said.

I nodded.

"But why?" Came Wren's voice.

"He's a part of you, so why would he want to hurt the one thing you love?" Stefan shoved his fingers into his hair.

I wish I knew. I wish I knew it all. The whole conversation and mood were making my chest ache. "I don't know, Stef." I sent a look to Wren, and then to Stefan. "I forbid you both from telling anyone about Cirilla," I warned. "Not even Lyra,"

Stefan nodded.

"What about everyone else?"

"Gone to sleep, including Ci. She's in Lyra's room." Stefan replied.

I nodded, "I should get some rest too." I left for my room, walking past Lyra's. There wasn't any sound from inside; they must be asleep already. I reached my room and opted for a cold shower before going to bed.

It was at the peak of midnight. I woke up with a burning sensation in my chest, which spread throughout my body, causing my body to writhe in pain. This was Ryker at work. He was fighting me for control.

I pushed off the bed, roving to the window. The moon was shining brightly from its abode. I groaned, crippling to my knees and fighting for control. Ryker knew exactly what he was doing, he mustn't take control. I knew exactly what he was thinking. The instant I lost to him, he would go after Cirilla and mark her, even against her will. I can't let that happen.

I could hear his loud growls within the walls of my mind. He was slowly gaining control. Because of the effect of tomorrow night's full moon, Ryker was stronger.

I felt my nails extending; Ryker was already pulling to the surface, and I felt my consciousness slowly slipping away. He was in full control now.

"Ryker stop! Don't do this, you will hurt her!" I groaned in pain.

"I will make her ours, and you won't be able to stop me, human!" He was firm, his mind already made up.

Fuck! This will not end well.

Ryker tossed me into the darkness and I fell into a slumber.