Chapter 36

Cirilla's Point Of View

I was waiting for Lyra and Dorian outside the mansion the next morning. We had just had breakfast, and I was all dressed up for school. Asher, Stefan, and Wren were not coming with us, they had something else to do, after seeing Kayla and Carl off today. They were returning to New Orleans.

Since morning I had been trying desperately to hide my smile, but for some reason, I was failing to. It was all because of the weird feeling in my chest called happiness. And just remembering last night makes me want to scream. I know it's crazy right?

I honestly didn't get myself last night either. And it was like every feeling for Asher I had been repressing escaped in full force and I couldn't win against them. I didn't want to. I loved this feeling. And it was all because of Asher.

If someone had told me I would become so addicted and crazed for a guy I had met like a month ago, I would have laughed and said, "No way in hell,"

I felt Asher behind me. "I'll see you later," He leaned, whispering in my ears.

I bit my lips. "That depends if I'm too busy to see you,"

He chuckled.

God, how can someone chuckle so beautifully? It was rich and sexy and I was falling in love with it.

"Alright princess, we'll see," He kissed the top of my forehead, and I relished the sweet sensation that coursed through me. "Take care,"

"I will," I watched him move to the car parked not far from the mansion. "Don't miss me too much,"

"I can't promise that," I knew he meant that, and I do too, because I already do miss him. I miss him terribly.

Stefan and Wren joined him in the car, and after sending a wink over to me, he sped off. A few minutes later, Dorian and Lyra stepped outside, and behind them was Julia.

"Ci, do you mind Julia sharing a ride with us," Lyra asked as we made our way to Dorian's car.

I smiled. "Not at all," I was being honest. Julia and I were cool, and maybe if we weren't, I doubt nothing could ever soil my happy mood. I took the passenger seat while Lyra and Julia were at the back.

"Someone looks happy," I heard Dorian say. I smiled. I knew he was only looking for gossip.

"Yeah, last night's party was fun," I replied.

"Don't lie to me, Cirilla Bane. Asher had the same look on his face. What happened between you two, spill it," Lyra pulled closer from her seat.

"Fine. You want the truth, I'll tell you everything, including all the gory details," I started, and Lyra shut her ears being so dramatic. It was nothing she and Stefan hadn't done already.

"Nope, not the gory details. You know what, just keep the details to yourself, I'm just happy you are happy,"

I smiled to myself. 'Me too,'

'Me three,' I heard glee and satisfaction from the voice in my head. 'We deserve that much,'

Involuntarily, I nodded at her words. 'Yeah, I do,'

School period flew by so fast. I had been sitting with Niko in English class. He was dying to know why I canceled our last meeting and what I had decided. I told him everything while we headed to the school cafeteria for lunch.

Well, not everything. Just that I would keep staying at Lyra's place instead. I didn't tell him about Asher and me, and about my discovery about myself that I was not a human and Asher strongly believed I was both a witch and wolf.

I highly doubted it, but I didn't argue. I would get my answers when I finally had the strength to face my mum without having the urge to murder her. Even though I don't think it would ever get to that, a part of me feels it may likely get to that point.

"What," I stopped walking to find Niko staring at me, studying me.

"Are you sure you are alright?"

I nodded. "The best I've been," I said. "Now let's get to lunch, I'm starving,"

"I bet you are,"

We joined Dorian, Lyra, and Julia for lunch. After lunch, we returned to our classes. School was over soon, so I headed out to the gym after school.

Thankfully, Vince had come around and had assigned some trainees to me. I trained with them for some hours, until my time was up. I hurried to the changing room, stripping from my sweaty workout clothes into my casual ones. I stuffed them into my bag and left the gym.

I was about to cross the street to begin my endless journey to the bar on foot when a sleek car pulled up in front of me. It's shining black so familiar and as the window winded down, my eyes went round with surprise. "Mason!"

"Hey beautiful," He alighted from the car, engulfing my small frame in his large arms. "I've been going crazy trying to reach you. I went to your place but your mum has no idea where you are and—" He paused, taking in my smiling face. He released a deep sigh. "I missed you," He brought his arms around me again, but I sidestepped him to his passenger seat.

"I'm all sweaty," I bit out. It was a half-truth and a lie.

A small smile crept on his lips and I could tell those gray eyes of his were studying me. We got into the car, and we stopped at a familiar cafe we'd been to once or twice when he visited town.

"Tell me, what happened to you?" He asked, concerned as we settled in our seats.

"Nothing much. Mum and I are going through some crises, so I moved out," I summarized and his penetrating gaze never wavered even when the young waiter brought in my apple juice.

He guided his large arms on the table. "Where are you staying now?"

"At a friend's. She's been so lovely and supportive," I sipped my drink, wanting to get down to the reason I called him.

"Ciri, you don't have to stay with her if you don't want to, I could—" I didn't know where he was going with this or what he was about to say, but I had something to say as well.

"Mason, I'm good. I promise," I grabbed his hand, and his other hand came up on mine, gently stroking it.

"I'm sorry for not being around during this tough time for you, but I promise it'll change,"

I began automatically. "That is exactly why I asked to meet up. We should end this Mason. I want to break up," I heard my voice echo emotionlessly.

The look in Mason's eyes was that of shock. "You are kidding right?" There was a strain of emotion in his voice.

My brows were crippled. I was trying to be as gentle as I could, but if Mason knew me well, he would know I couldn't joke about things like this. "I'm serious Mason,"

I could tell by his eyes that my words were hurting him. But to be honest, whatever Mason and I had going on was far from serious. And deep down I knew it. He knew it. He was never always around and I knew next to nothing about him. "I'm sorry Mason, I didn't want to hurt you,"

"Why?"

"It's just not working, Mason," I sighed, trying to be as honest as possible. "A lot has happened to me this past few weeks, and I thought about it all, I don't want to keep lying to you, and I don't want to hurt you Mason, but I doubt what we had going on was a relationship. We should end it,"

He leaned back on his chair. "You've made up your mind,"

I nodded. I had.

He was silent like forever, just staring at me with unreadable dark gray eyes. I didn't know what was going through his head, and I couldn't even begin to guess.

"I know," He sighed, rubbing his face with his large hands. "I just don't know how to deal with this because this was more than an infatuation for me. I love you Cirilla. Don't you feel the connection we have? Don't you?" He grabbed my hand tightly, yet gently. His voice was thick with emotion that reflected in his eyes.

My hand slid away from his, meeting his saddened eyes. "I'm sorry Mason,"

He sighed. "I guess not. Fine. Whatever you want, but please Ci, let's at least be friends. I'll always be here for you whatever you need," His eyes were firm on me. "I swear soon enough you'll realize we have so much in common. I'll be waiting,"

His words settled on me for a second or more. I pondered on it, before getting up from my seat.

I sent Mason a smile. "Bye Mason,"

He forced a smile, hiding away the emotions twirling in his eyes. "Bye Cirilla,"

We walked outside the cafe shop, and Mason hugged me, before retreating into his car and speeding off.

I breathed out in relief at how that played out before crossing the streets and walking to Lakita Bar. Even as I recognized the feeling of being watched, I kept walking. I had felt eyes on me right from when Mason and I entered the cafe.

It was late in the evening already. I arrived at the bar, but I decided to use the back door instead. I was almost there when I stopped, spinning on my sneakers.

"Is your new hobby, stalking?" I whispered into the cold night. I didn't need to yell, I knew he could hear me all right.

"Only when it comes to my obsession," I heard his deep, irresistible voice from a corner, and in a flash, using his quick speed, he was before me with his arms swallowing my frame and his height towering above me.

"That's fetish and sounds fucked up, but I guess I'm a sucker for that," I felt his lips pressed against my neck, inhaling me.

"I missed you," His words were low and to hide the obvious rumble in my chest, I tried pushing him aside but he barely budged.

"Stop being a fucking drama king, it's not even up to twelve hours since you last saw me,"

He chuckled. "Are you sure? Cause it feels like an eternity," He placed a kiss on my forehead. Tender and sweet. I never imagined there existed this side of Asher Cohen. It was surprising.

"Are you always this sweet to your girlfriends?" I pulled up my face to capture his gorgeous green eyes.

"No, this side of me is exclusively for you," He said, and I don't for a second doubt it. I felt like I had known him all my life, this feeling was almost impossible to exist but I felt it right here in my heart.

"Well then Mr. Cohen, you've managed to make me feel special," He pulled away and we began to make the small walk to the back door of the bar.

"How was your seemingly delightful meeting with your ex-boyfriend?" He arched a brow, pretending to be unbothered but I could see the jealousy burning through his gaze.

I smirked. "You said it. It was delightful,"

There was a deep rumble in his chest and the green of his irises was swirling mixed with gold. "Trying to make me jealous?"

"Nah, I wouldn't dare," We stopped in front of the door. "I'm all yours now," I wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him down to my level.

His smile deepened, and he pressed his soft lips to mine. It lasted for a minute. I wanted to protest, bring his lips back to mine, and kiss him till every cell in his offensively hot body was raking with need, but I restrained myself.

That would be for later because I had a job waiting for me.

"My shift has started, so I'll deal with you later," I teased, blowing him an imaginary kiss, and he caught it, bringing it to his chest.

I rolled my eyes, hiding my smile as I entered. I changed quickly into my uniform, joining Jaxon and Rina at the bar. I moseyed through the tables, taking down customers' orders.

I didn't have to see Asher, it was like I could just feel him naturally. My eyes snapped to a corner of the bar, and he was sitting there. Alone. Eyes on me like a total creep. A sexy creep.

"What can I get you, sir?" I went to his table.

"A bottle of Malibu," He said with a smirk, and I smiled.

"Coming up," I went back to the bar, getting lost in my work. Even as the bar bustled with customers, it was hard to ignore Asher's penetrating stare. Almost everyone had begun to notice. I bet some may even think he was insane or maybe on some steroids. But I didn't mind though, and Miles didn't seem like he did.

I was almost done with my shift when I noticed Asher was not in his seat, he wasn't even in the bar. He had most probably gotten bored and left.

I finished my last task for the night which was picking up discarded bottles left by the customers, and stashing them aside.

I went to change from the uniform into my jeans and top, leaving with my bag.

I guess a part of me was wishing Asher may have been waiting for me outside, but after a double look, he wasn't. I began my long lonely walk to the main street to get a cab to the pack's gate.

I was walking down the street when out of the blue, I was hoisted from the waist and pulled into an alley. Hands on my lips, and a large familiar body pinning me firmly to the wall.

"Asher, what the hell—" I pushed his hand to speak, but he pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. His expression was over the top serious, eyes were golden, and I could feel every part of his body high on alert.

"What is it?" I found myself whispering, breathing hard from my earlier struggle and my heart almost going haywire from the panic settling in.

"You are being followed," He stated, narrowing his eyes, and his ears stood a little, probably listening.

"What? By who?" I asked quickly. The only person that came to my mind was my mum. I wondered how she found me.

"Wolves," My eyes widened at his reply. Definitely not mum. "Rogues," He snarled.