Chapter 37

Asher's Point Of View

I held the syringe tight. "That she isn't human? Yes. They fucking knew," I answered Stef's question.

At first, I thought these rogues were after her because of me. That somehow they found out she was my mate and wanted to harm her to get to me. That was usually how things like these worked. But with this syringe, it was obvious they were after her for another reason.

The warriors grabbed the unconscious rogue, and we headed back home in our trucks.

The prisoner was taken to the pack's cell and forced awake. I was eager to get him talking. I called for the pack's doctor and wanted to leave Cirilla with her and Lyra but she demanded she wanted to be present for the interrogation.

I couldn't argue. After tonight, she made me realize she isn't one to take orders or do what she's told. And I loved that about her. It was a fucking turn on for me.

I guess we both were just as crazy as the other. Imperfectly perfect.

I smiled to myself. I liked that.

We were at the cell, watching the prisoner stir awake. But he was taking his sweet time.

I hissed, grabbing a bucket nearby, it was halfway filled with wolfsbane, I tossed its contents at him and a loud painful howl vibrated through the soundproof cell.

"Welcome back," I said, dragging a chair closer. It was just Wren, Stefan, and I in the cell while Cirilla, Dorian, Lyra, and Julia watched from outside.

I scrunch my nose at the stench of his burnt flesh. He was still writhing in pain even as his eyes took in his surprising surroundings.

"Listen, this could go two ways. The painless or the excruciating painful way. It's up to you," I paused, letting my words sink in. Let's go with the painless first," I sized him up, I doubted he would even last a second more with torture.

"Who sent you?" I wasn't one to beat around the bush. He didn't answer, just writhing in pain, not meeting my gaze. "Why were you after Cirilla?" I asked and his gaze flickered to mine sharply. He knew something.

He retracted it. "I don't know what you are talking about?"

"Tell me everything you know about her?" I asked, and he remained silent. My eyes fell on the mark on his wrist. It was unusual. Very unusual. "What does that mean?" I pointed at it. But he didn't speak.

I could tell Stefan was itching to get started torturing him. We knew he wouldn't just spill it all out.

"Fine. The latter it is. He's all yours," I turned to Stef and Wren. They were the worst combination when it came to this, but they were mighty effective as well.

I took a step back, and Stefan pulled out the syringe that was meant for Cirilla, injecting the guy with it. He filled it up with wolfsbane, injecting him a few times.

He was already wailing in pain. If only he knew this was just the beginning. Every part of him was already burning with pain, that was when Wren stepped forward. He was the worst.

He crouched over him, clutching both sides of his head. Wren's eyes turned black, and they connected with the prisoner.

This was one of Wren's tricks. He used his demon side to inflict a more lethal pain that was far worse than the physical The idiot started another round of scream. Blood dripped from his eyes. And soon he started speaking.

I pulled a hand up to stop Wren and Stef, moving closer to the bastard. "I'm listening,"

"We were just supposed to bring her in. We were not supposed to harm her," He started, his bloody lips trembling and his words coming out frustratingly slow.

I believed him. Even though Cirilla had been hurt a little, I knew they didn't want her dead. Otherwise, they would have tried it the second she lured them into the woods alone.

I jumped on to the next question. "Why were you after her?"

He hesitated. "Idalak wants her. He needs her,"

My face contorted in confusion. "Who's Idalak? Why does he want her?"

"Idalak's very powerful. You are just wasting your time. Even if you kill me, he'll send more after her because of what she is. She's precious to him…" He started coughing. "She's the source… she's…"

"She's what?" I held him as he began choking.

His cough grew worse. Blood started spilling out. "He knows…" His words were stopped with a sharp scream and right before our eyes, the mark on his wrist torched red, tearing through him until his body was left in pieces. His blood and remains soaking the hard floor.

"What the fucking hell?" Stefan's voice sounded as we stared at the appalling sight.

"Magic," Something clenched around my chest and bile rose to my throat. Not from the gory sight, but from the obvious truth that Cirilla was in danger and they knew so much more about her, including what she was.

I tilted my head to the cell entrance where Cirilla was with the others. Her eyes were on the bloody mess on the floor before they lifted to me. She held my stare.

I walked out of the cell, pulling her into my arms. I sent a look to Stefan, and he nodded. I took her and led her back to our room. She went into the bathroom while I went down to the kitchen to find a first aid kit. I wondered if we had any since we didn't need it. Thankfully, I found one.

I went back up and found her standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom.

"I don't think there's any need for that," She muttered, turning to me with her bloodstained top lifted. The claw marks had started to heal up. There were only a few scratches.

I picked her up, sitting her on the counter while she took off her top, leaving her only in her black bra. She wrapped her hands around my neck, pulling me close, and smiling.

How could she even smile after everything we had just witnessed out there? There were people, unknown enemies, might I add, after her. She was in danger and this was fucking serious.

"Come on Asher, loosen up a little," She said, still not letting me go as I began to clean the blood off her beautiful smooth skin.

"How can I?" I lifted my eyes to hers. "Princess, what just happened—" Her soft fingers silenced me.

"Let's not talk about that now," She smiled mischievously. "Right now, I want you to kiss me," She wrapped her legs around my waist, pressing her lips softly to mine.

A deep growl rumbled in my chest at the sparks and lingering tingles her bare skin was creating next to mine.

"Now isn't—" I started to speak but she took the opportunity and pressed her lips again on mine, sticking her tongue into mine, and automatically, my body responded to her kisses.

My large hands held her firmly, bringing her impossibly closer, kissing her. Tasting her sweet lips. It was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. She tasted like sweet honey.

I felt her hands in my hair as I deepened it. She moaned softly, driving both Ryker and me insane. All I wanted was to rip off her jeans and take off that bra while I had my way with her body.

I ran my hands up and down both sides of her curves, filling one of her breasts beneath her bra in my hand. I squeezed it, earning another moan from her. I pulled away from her, allowing her some air.

My breathing was erratic and she was almost out of breath herself. I could see the fire in her eyes, burning through her body. That fire burned me too. And there was no way I could ever quench it if I didn't feel her body on mine.

It was as if she was having the same thoughts. Her hands slowly went up to her bra, unclasping it and slipping it off.

My body stilled. I couldn't get air into my lungs. It was hard to breathe just looking at those full and round breasts of hers. They were beautiful. My fingers were trembling but I managed to pull them up to one of her breasts. I held it in my hand, feeling them. They were so soft. Her nipples hardened under my touch as I brushed the tip. I took hold of the second one, running my fingers through it.

She bit her lips, moaning out for me. I pulled closer, starting to caress them. She moaned louder. Her blue eyes not leaving mine and mine not leaving hers as I brought my lips closer to her hardened nipple, and I took one into my mouth, grazing my teeth on its tip, sucking it.

She arched her back closer, clutching a handful of my hair in her hand, pulling me closer. I kept my diligent work of nibbling and sucking while caressing her other free breast. After I was done with the first I moved on to the other, giving it similar attention for a while before she pulled my head up, smashing her lips on mine in a wild, violent kiss full of dominance and control.

I pulled her up and she slid out of her jeans. Goddess, she was as beautiful as I had imagined. I took off my clothes, tossing them aside. I took her in my arms, her legs around my waist and hands on my neck as I led us into the glass shower box. She turned on the water and rushed down on us. Its coolness glided down our burning skin and I kissed her. I kissed her so badly, wanting this moment to be imprinted in our souls.

I still wanted more of her, but I didn't want to rush things, to rush her. Reluctantly, we were done showering. I wrapped a towel around her, wrapping one around me too as I carried her out. This was just an innocent shower but still, it was better than every sex I've had in my life.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, as she slowly got dressed in a short night dress. I went to her, kissing her neck softly. Then moving to the beautiful mark on her back, sucking it and she moaned. I pulled away before I went extra, like marking her or ripping off her clothes and thrusting deep into her.

"Why do you like starting things you can't finish," Her voice was completely bewitching. How can she sound so beautiful and be so beautiful?

Goddess, I wanted to worship her parents for this beautiful gift but unfortunately, I don't think her mum deserved it.

"It's all your fault for looking this perfect. I can't seem to take my eyes off you,"

"And keep your hands off too," She chuckled and I smiled.

"Yeah that too," I confessed. I checked the time it was dead in the night. It was true, time flies when one's having fun. "What do you want to do?"

"I'm hungry," She yawned.

"What do you want to eat,"

"Your self-made pasta," She smiled.

A huge smile cut through my lips as I grabbed her hand and led her downstairs. "So you liked it huh,"

"Don't let your head get big now," She hit me playfully.

I got myself busy in the kitchen, trying to make the best pasta ever. I don't think I've ever been this serious in my life or hellbent on getting praised by someone.

I glanced at where she was seated on the table, and her eyes were glued to me, smirking. I could only imagine what naughty thoughts were going on in her head because I could smell her sweet arousal. It was filling the kitchen.

After a few minutes and a lot of effort, I placed two plates of pasta and chicken sauce on the table.

"Bon appetit,"

She dug in right away and after a few bites, she looked my way. "Tastes good. Were you trying hard to impress someone?"

"Did I succeed?" I asked, guiding my large arms on the table, smirking.

"Congratulations you did.," She blew out a kiss to me from across the table, smiling.

Gosh, I wish I could capture that smile forever in a bottle. It was beautiful.

My hands moved up, and I caught her flying kiss, bringing it to my chest. Even if it was just an imaginary kiss, I wouldn't want it to fall anywhere else than where it rightfully belonged. Right here in my heart.

We cleaned up after eating and were sitting right opposite each other on the table drinking some tea when out of the blue she spoke.

"Asher, that mark on the wolf's wrist. I know it. I've seen it before,"

I leaned closer to the table, confused. "Where?"

"From the first time I was attacked and it's the same,"

Her words made my insides squeeze. Ryker rose to the surface and my breathing was heavy in my ears. "Go on, I'm listening, princess," My voice thick with dread.