Chapter 33

Asher's Point Of View

I could only inhale her sweet scent until she fell asleep next to me. I pulled my eyes open, and they landed on her sleeping state.

Gently, I pulled her into my arms, pulling up the sheets to cover us. My hand got lost in her long silky blonde hair and I began stroking it. She adjusted in my arms, relaxing in my warmth. It made me smile.

I had had an exhausting long day and my lack of sleep for the last few days made it worse. But I felt a little bit relaxed just by being in my room, breathing in my mate's intoxicating scent.

Even without being around, I could still smell her presence. It was nice. Slowly, every inch of the room had begun to carry her scent. There was so much going on. So much to deal with.

It crushed me more than anything when I had informed Aunt Davi of the result of my team's search in Lakewood town, outskirts of Oregon. She had informed me there were new leads regarding the princess's whereabouts in a few places. So I sent Stefan and a few warriors I trusted there, but unfortunately, it was another dead end. And I could tell, just by her voice, that the other leads were also dead ends. It was upsetting, and I could only imagine how frustrating it would be for Theo as well.

I sighed, breathing in Cirilla's scent, it calmed me instantly. But there's more, Stefan had informed me they weren't the only ones searching for the lost princess in Lakewood. There were witches there as well, and they weren't sent from Aunt Davi. That only meant someone besides us was looking for her. I wonder who it could be.

I buried my face into her soft hair, desperately hoping to fall asleep. By the time I woke up, it was already bright outside and Cirilla was still in my arms and her hands were wrapped around me.

A smile crept on my lips, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she realized her true feelings for me. I still couldn't get over yesterday's fight with Melinda. Everyone hasn't. And I could understand why.

It wasn't every day you'd get to see a werewolf get knocked out by a human, even though I was yet to figure out what exactly she could be. But I was fuck as hell proud of her.

I bet she didn't even know what she had done, but yesterday she not only showed her strength but her mercy as the future Luna. She got the fear and respect of her pack so easily. I smiled, I always knew we would make a great team.

Cirilla may have spared Melinda's life, but I just couldn't forgive her for what she said and her disrespect to my mate. She had to be punished and it would be a lesson to others.

Even after Cirilla had left for the bar I had Lyra, Wren, and Dorian accompany her. I don't know, I just felt uneasy and maybe that explained why I had to go see Melinda. I had to ask her something about the fight with Ci when Melinda had shifted into her wolf and lunged at Cirilla.

Melinda shifted instantly from her wolf back to her human form in submission the second she was before Cirilla. It was as if Cirilla had commanded her too.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get anything out of Melinda. She was also clueless as to why she did that and all she felt was an overpowering surge, forcing her wolf into submission.

And that only strengthened my previous resolve and for the first time, I started to think that Cirilla could be just like us. A wolf.

I had Stefan get more information on her and her mum before they moved to Beaverton. But what we found out wasn't new. There was barely anything to work with, or any friends or relatives, and more importantly, nothing about her father, or her birth.

There was absolutely nothing about Cirilla Bane. I don't need my werewolf intuition to tell me, something's amiss somewhere. And I had to help her discover exactly who she was.

My large thumb brushed the soft skin of her cheeks, the bruises on her jaw and lips from yesterday had completely healed up.

She stirred awake under my touch. Her blue eyes found mine, and the only thing I could think of was how she could be so beautiful and perfect. She was completely without flaws.

"Good morning," I whispered with a smile, wishing I could just lean forward and kiss her. But I restrained myself.

I reminded myself I had agreed to take things slow until she was ready. Even if that slow might kill me.

It was difficult having her so close to me and I couldn't even touch her, feel her, kiss her, and do bad things to that smart mouth of hers and her sexy body. Oh, goddess she wouldn't even be able to beg me to stop. Just the thought of hearing her scream my name while I pleasured her sweet body, made me hardened.

I groaned, my senses getting corrupted by my lust. Only the goddess knew how fucking hard I was. She was the first I had ever shared a bed without doing anything with her.

I chuckled to myself at the thought of that.

"With that smile on, you look like a total creep," I heard her say in the most beautiful morning voice. "Now get off me, will you," She muttered.

"I think for that, you have to let go first," I pointed at her hands still groping my waist. "Unless you plan to do something really naughty to me," I smirked naughtily and her brows shot up, taking notice of her hands. I could tell she was hiding a smirk.

"Yeah, you wish. Trust me that would never happen even if you were the last guy on planet Earth," She pushed me off her, and I couldn't stop my laughter from flowing through her joke. I bet she wished it was true.

"Are you sure about that?" I raised a brow, and she scoffed, about to speak as she pulled up from the bed but I stopped her, grabbing her hand and pinning her on the bed with my weight against her.

Her blonde hair was sprawled out on the bed, I couldn't read her dark gaze but I could smell her instant arousal. It was delightful.

"Asher get off me," Her words were sharp.

"You don't mean that. If you did, I would have been flying halfway through the room by now,"

Her breathing hitched and her gaze kept moving to my lips and then back to my eyes. "You are an arrogant asshole," She finally bit out, almost breathless as I leaned closer to her, my lips almost at the shell of hers.

"I know," I whispered back, my hands running up and down the sides of her curves.

"Absolute dumbass," She pushed out, breathless.

"I know," I swallowed her air, feeling my body ignite in flames. Fuck. This was a wrong move. What was I thinking?

I felt myself going way too deep, and I couldn't pull out. The senseless tension and heat between us had my body quivering.

"Asher—" She moaned out my name. It has never sounded better. She had fallen as deep as I was. I could see it in her gaze and how her body trembled beneath mine. Slowly, she started to move her body, grinding her hip against mine.

I growled in pain. My hands firmly grabbed her waist, pressing her against my bulging pants. I was so hard.

I was breathing hard as she kept on grinding hard against me. I buried my face in her neck, and slowly I began kissing it, nibbling it, and sucking it. She moaned again, and it only drove me crazy.

Ryker had begun to fight his way out. My canines slowly extended as I kept sucking her neck, preparing her neck for my mark. She was mine. I grazed the sharp tip of my canines on her neck and she gifted me another of her luscious moans.

I had begun to sink my fangs deep when I froze on top of her, and instantly she did. My eyes shot open, realizing what I was about to do. I pulled myself off her immediately to find her eyes wide on me as well. Before I could speak, she pushed herself up from the bed, speeding to the bathroom, and I heard the door click close.

I face-palmed myself, I must be fucking crazy.

*****

Cirilla's Point Of View

I locked the door, and stripped naked, running into the shower box, and letting cold water pour down on my body. It was hot and there was no way I could think of cooling it off.

It was only a few minutes later I felt myself coming back, and my breathing slowed. I leaned against the glass box, exhaling. I had no idea what happened back there. The only thing I remembered was Asher on me and I started running my mouth, not wanting him to know just how much he drove me crazy and that was it. The rest I didn't know what came over me. It was like I suddenly had an unexplainable craving and it happened to be Asher.

Oh gosh, I sound like I was on fucking drugs. Maybe I was, I felt so high that if Asher had ripped off my clothes, there and then, I would have willingly had sex with him. It was crazy, but rather than feeling shameful I felt even more turned on. I was crazy, I was fucking crazy.

I grabbed both sides of my head and banged it hard against the glass in an attempt to get myself in control and after long minutes I did.

I took a long shower and wrapped myself in a towel. I dreaded stepping out into the room and finding Asher still there. I had lost faith and trust in myself and my endurance tolerance.

Thankfully, he wasn't in the room. I got dressed quickly. I had no idea how I turned to this. I was the type of girl that could control myself and my urges. I loved playing dangerously but I had control. What had Asher turned me into?

I breathed out in frustration, combing my hair, then I realized the bruises on my face had healed and so had the cut on my skin.

I checked the small wound at the back of my neck where Mum had injured me but there was nothing. I calmed my beating heart before I became more crazy than I already was.

"This isn't normal," I whispered to myself, knowing that was the truth.

I went down to the kitchen with a growling stomach. It was heavily crowded and Asher was there, having breakfast. I went over to where they were. The only vacant seat was next to Stefan with Lyra on his lap, and conveniently it was right opposite Asher.

His eyes moved from his pancakes to mine, sparkling with mischief while wearing his devilish smirk.

"Good morning," I said, before sliding into the chair.

"Morning Ci," Lyra chirped in her usual happy voice, pulling her lips from Stefan.

I was already used to that. It didn't bother me. It was a thing around here, sometimes I had walked into a couple making out randomly anywhere. I loved how expressive they were, and it was always entertaining to watch.

I thanked Gina as she brought over a plate of pancakes with maple syrup. I dug in, ignoring Asher's stare.

"So Cirilla, what do you plan on doing for your birthday?"

The question took me by surprise. I tilted my head to Lyra, whose chocolate eyes were on me. For a second I was surprised how she knew, but then I guess it must have slipped sometime.

I left her gaze to find a few more gazes on me, including Asher's.

"Uhm…nothing really special," I took a bite of my breakfast. I usually had nothing out of the ordinary to do on that day. It was just like any other day in my life. Less happiness and more wallowing in my life's problems. However this time would be different, and all I could smell was freedom.

"Are you kidding me?" Dorian's arm found its way to my neck. "That is unacceptable,"

"Totally unacceptable, Ci," Lyra shook her head. "I knew you'd be like this that's why I took it upon myself to make a list," She pulled out a long sheet of paper.

"I'm lost, what's that's for?" I pointed out.

She squealed. "For your party,"

I almost burst out laughing at her joke. "That's a joke right?" But she wasn't joking. She was being serious.

"Nope," She giggled, glancing over the paper.

"I don't think—" I started but Cory interjected.

"I'm with Ly. on the party and besides who turns eighteen and doesn't throw a party," Cory mumbled with his stuffed mouth.

I bet he was just excited about the party. But I don't need one, especially when I would be moving out. I had mulled over Nico's offer, and I decided it would be best to be at his place.

"It will be fun, Ci," Stefan's deep voice pulled me back from my thoughts while I made a thinking face.

"So? You are in, right?" Lyra pulled a brow up.

I smiled, definitely unsure about all of this. But alas, I shrug. "I guess you leave me no choice,"

She yelped, literally squeezing me in for a hug. "We'll start preparation for it,"

"We need to go shopping," Trish added.

"Yeah, it will be the best party ever, I promise,"

I only nodded. "I don't for a second doubt it," My gaze unexpectedly caught Asher's and I held it. He still had his silent smirk. It was annoying but at the same time irresistible.

I did my best to ignore Asher throughout breakfast, I don't know why but just looking at him brought stupid ideas to my mind.

We were done with breakfast. I borrowed Lyra's phone, giving a call to Niko to meet me in fifteen minutes. After I sent a text to Mason, it had been long overdue. He agreed to meet me at the gym tomorrow after school. I just had to sort Mason's situation out as soon as possible.

I rushed into Asher's bedroom, and changed quickly into black jeans, and a crop top, wearing a jacket over it. I was done with my boots when Asher walked in, all dressed up.

"Good, you are dressed up," He wore a smile, making me raise my brows, questioningly. "We are going out," He stated.

"Who's we?" I asked warily.

"You and me,"

"I'll pass. I have a prior engagement," I got up from the couch, and moved to the door.

"Just cancel it,"

I almost choked out a peal of laughter. "I cannot 'just cancel it' just because you ordered it, great Alpha Asher,"

I was getting quite pissed, and couldn't understand why he was still smiling. I just wish I could snack it off him.

'I think you mean kiss it off him,'

I rolled my eyes at the words in my head.

"You gave me your word, princess, and agreed to do whatever I said, I didn't force you. And now I want to cash in that promise," He said.

I furrowed my eyebrows, suddenly remembering I did make that promise when he babysat me at my house.

I groaned.

I knew it felt like I was making a deal with the devil back then. But a promise is a promise, I guess.

He moved to the door, looking over his shoulder. "So are you coming or what?"

I rolled my eyes. "Do I have a choice in this?"

"Not hardly,"