He lied to you

Roxanne gulped as she entered the eerie house.

The wooden platform she stepped on creaked as she pressed on it. Everything around her was old, and she could feel a weird pressure all around her. Since she had become a Werewolf, all her senses were heightened, so she was taking everything in with a far greater intensity than usual.

She could hear the slow breathing of someone just a distance from her, in what she guessed to be the parlor. She looked at Asher with a curious eye. We’re they headed toward the direction of the strange sound? The man who was responsible for the odd breathing she was sensing.

Asher didn’t even glance at Roxanne, he only remained focused on the goal and stared straight ahead.

He had a different air about him. He was cold, slightly angry… And afraid. Roxanne didn’t know who she sensed these mixed feelings from him, but she knew she was right.

“Just what us his father like?” Roxanne found herself thinking.

“We're here” Asher announced, finally stopping just as they arrived at the parlor.

Roxanne also halted, stay g behind Asher since she was somewhat frightened of the existence which was in front of her, a small distance away.

The room which was initially dark, began to brighten up as Roxanne’s eyes glowed. She could see everything more clearly now. And now that she did, she felt even more wary of the man she was meeting.

Everywhere was messed up. There was no place to sit, only a mat was laid on the floor.

“Hopefully we won’t have to stay long” Roxanne thought to herself.

She looked ahead and saw the man they would meet. Her eyes bulged as she witnessed his huge figure. His muscular mass and massive body. He was similar to a giant, no wonder she felt such great presence.

“Ah, welcome!!!” He voiced.

“I didn’t expect you to be back so soon. Ah, what a surprise. You didn’t even give me enough time to properly arrange my house for the guest” John, Asher's father said.

“Isn’t it better this way?” Asher commented with a tone of nonchalance.

“Heh, whatever you say kid. Still though, you came too soon. Are you in such a hurry to get it over with?” John chuckled.

As he said this, Asher tightened his face. Was his father going to reveal the requirements he made? Would spill it in the presence of Roxanne? Certainly, he wouldn’t be so shameless!

“Don’t tell me…” Roxanne's thoughts began to interpret John's words.

“He's in a hurry to get it over with? So he wants to get rid of me that much?”

Of course, she couldn’t possibly know what the actual truth was, and John had no intention if saying anything.

“Roxanne, why don’t you say something? You’ve been silent all this time, we can’t have that. After all, you are the guest of honor.” John grinned.

What was she supposed to do at this point? It was obvious she heeded to greet in order to show courtesy, but how was she to go about it? As a previous Aloha and also Asher's father, did he require a special greeting.

“Well, I’m not bowing my head or anything. He’s not more powerful than Asher, and since I don’t even greet Asher, I’ll just greet him the way I normally do.”

Roxanne stepped forward and stood beside Asher, she kept her face facing forward when she spoke, with total confidence and not a slight of intimidation in her looks. This was thanks to her poker face, but she could be maintain if forever.

“Good afternoon Mr…” Roxanne quickly stopped, realizing she didn’t know his name. She had to put in something, if not…

“…Father of Asher…” She compensated.

“F-Father of wha-?! Roxanne, are you crazy?” Roxanne thought to herself after giving such a terrible excuse for a greeting.

She looked beside her and saw Asher's surprised reaction toward her. His mouth was open slightly and his eyes were widened. She also looked at John, who appeared amused by her peculiar use of words.

”Hahahaha!!!” A peculiar one indeed. John commented, still laughing heartily.

Roxanne swallowed her humiliation, and continued to express her unsuspecting and blank look.

“Let us head outside. I’m afraid this place wouldn’t be conducive for whatever were about to do.” John said.

Roxanne agreed and made for the exit of the house, though she found that Asher still remained in his position.

“Come on, Asher. Let’s go!” She stretched her hands and took him by his hand.

Immediately she did this, the both if then felt a sensation throughout their bodies, like their entire selves connected. It was only do a moment, but that was spark that felt dangerous to Roxanne.

She yelped and quickly removed her hand from his. This made the both of them look away from themselves with red cheeks.

“I'll be out first!” Roxanne said, hurriedly leaving the house.

“W-What was that?” Roxanne muttered, staring at the hand she used to make contact with Asher's skin.

She breathed deeply and watched the woods, unable to see the village from the distance she where she stayed. How far away was she?

“You felt it too eh? So that girl really is your mate…” John said to Asher.

“Of course, why would I lie?” Asher replied.

“I didn’t say you were, you might have just been confused. But after seeing it now, I understand.” John remarked.

“Then you will…” Asher said impatiently.

“Not so fast, boy. The day isn’t over yet” John smiled.

“Let’s not keep your girl waiting, yeah?”

John walked past Asher and went to the exit. For a moment, Asher remained transfixed in his position and gritted his teeth, before finally deciding to go out too.

“Sorry, did we keep you waiting?” John asked, stepping out into the bright afternoon.

“Ahhh!” He squinted his eyes since he wasn’t used to the intensity of light. His house was devoid of such element after all.

Roxanne stayed in the wide porch, same with John, who stayed some distance from her.

“I'll get to the point Roxanne… Why do you think I called you here?” John asked sharply.

Asher stepped out of the house at this point and walked slowly to Roxanne's location.

“Eh? Isn’t it to break the Mate bond that exists between Asher and I?” Roxanne asked.

“Ah?!” John looked confused.

“You know, as the previous Alpha and father of Asher, he told me you could cancel our ‘engagement’.” Roxanne emphasized.

Asher made a guilty look, refusing to look anywhere near Roxanne as he moved his face away from her sight.

It took a while for John to understand what Roxanne meant by her words, and when he finally did he wouldn’t help himself.

“Buahahahahahaha!!!” He burst out laughing.

Roxanne was taken aback by the old man's laughter, but kept quiet while he enjoyed himself.

“Oh, Asher… I didn’t know you had it in you to make jokes like this. Still, haven't you gone too far on this one?” John retorted.

“What are you taking about?” Roxanne asked with confusion.

“Oh, don’t you get it? He lied to you, most likely so you could come here.” John continued to laugh.

“T-Then, that means…” Roxanne said, glancing at Asher, who only looked away.

“Yep, he lied to you!” John revealed.

“I don’t have any power like that. Besides, as former Alpha, I have no real authority within the pack. As you can see, I’m living way out here… I'm sorry, I can’t help you, young lady… Though I can understand why you need it” He laughed even more.

“Asher, what he said… Is it true?” She questioned.

“Yes, he is right. I lied to you, but it was the inky way I could…” Asher said, returning her gaze as he tried to explain.

<SMACK>

Roxanne's palm landed on Asher's cheek. For the second time, she had used her hand to assault his face. The only difference between this time and the last, was that while the previous time was due to her anger when he grabbed her mother, this time she did it because she was hurt… Severely hurt.

The aching in her heart wouldn’t stop and she could feel the pain of betrayal, as though something forced her chest. She would normally never have such a feeling, but she wondered why she was reacting this way. Then she stopped wondering, she knew why.

She couldn’t deny it after all. She was already developing feelings for Asher, the pain she felt now was evidence of that fact.

“Asher, you piece of shit!” Roxanne frowned.

“I want to go back… Now!”

“Hold on, just calm down and listen to me…” Asher tried to explain.

Roxanne was not in the mood for that though.

“If you don’t take me now, I’ll be going in my own. It’s your choice!” Roxanne said.

She turned away from both John and Asher and walked away from the house, retracing her steps back.

“I hope you’re happy… I shouldn’t have come to you” Asher muttered, glaring at John.

“Hey, I never told you to lie to her. I just said to bring her here. Besides, let’s hope you won’t eat back those words.” John smiled.

“Tch”

“Come back here tomorrow, I’ll tell you what you want to know. In the mean time… You should really go after her. She’s your mate, isn’t she?” John said.

He didn’t want to as it it, but his father had a point. He quickly left his father’s presence and ran after Roxanne.

As John watched Asher go, he smiled.

“Look at him go, heh… Good luck with this one, Asher”