Chapter 16

Cirilla's point of view

"Hey, how are you feeling?" My phone vibrated. It was a text. I checked the number and it wasn't from my contact. I began to type, before I could finish another text popped up.

"It's Asher" I paused momentarily, staring at the name. A text popped up again. "Are you asleep?" How did he get my contact?

"No. I'm still awake" I sent back, tapping the tip of my fingers on my lips.

"How's your ankle? Does it hurt badly?" His text popped up, making an unwanted smile stalk my lips at his concern.

Yes it does. But I couldn't say that. "Not that bad"

"Do you need anything?" He asked.

"Not really. I'm unable to get through to Lyra. Could you get her to call me?"

I waited for his response but there was nothing, even after five minutes. I sighed, I was dying from thirst and was in dire need of a shower and I had to pee. I stared at the black swollen ankle and then to the bathroom door at the corner of my room. I pulled the sheets off me and steadied both legs on the floor. I stood, pulling my weight on my perfectly fine leg, and began my painful journey to the door. I leaned against it, my ankle was hurting worse than it had earlier, it's pain travelling through my bones. Suddenly I wished I had remained in bed, I couldn't take a step further or back to the bed.

The door unexpectedly jerked open and I lost my balance being too close to it. Before I could ungracefully crash on the floor, I felt strong hands grip my waist. Glancing up my eyes fell on Asher's jade irises boring down at me. He swiftly steadied a hand around my waist and another behind my legs, pulling me into his arms like I weighed nothing. I grabbed his neck for support.

"Are you alright?" The sweet scent of his breath possessed me. I nodded, barely having the strength to talk from our closeness. He moved to the bed and gently placed me on it. "Where were you off to? Did you need something?"

I couldn't take my eyes off him. "What are you doing here?" I don't remember inviting him over. I took the opportunity to regard him carefully in his gray tee, leather black jacket and black jeans looking incredulously more handsome than the last time I saw him.

"To check up on you" He said casually like we had somehow became friends or gotten remarkably close, while placing a pillow underneath my leg. "And it's a good thing I came over just in time" He wasn't looking at me.

"And Lyra?" I asked. I really needed Lyra here instead.

His green eyes pulled up mine. "Occupied at the moment" He pulled his jacket tossing it on the bed, making himself at home. "What did you want to get?"

"Water. I am thirsty" I watched him go into the kitchen and was back with a bottle of water. He opened it and handed it to me. I drank from it, watching him staring at me. "Why are you really here?"

"Exactly what I said. I'm here to take care of you" His spoke so leisurely, clearly having no idea what his words were doing to me.

"Well thank you for your kindness but I can take care of myself" I said, adopting my usual stubbornness.

"Not in your present state atleast" He commented. I opened my mouth to counter him but he cut me off. "Just let me okay. I'm the reason your ankle is injured, and you clearly need some help since you can't walk on your own"

I nodded. Not sure if his reasons were valid enough. But that was the least of my concern. I badly wanted to use the bathroom. "Could you take me to the bathroom?"

He gazed down at me. "Sure" An almost unnoticeable smirk spread on his lips as he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bathroom. He left me there and walked back to the room. After I relieved myself, I decided to take a quick shower. I stripped and got into the shower. I showered quickly and was all done.

I groaned, I had forgotten to take fresh clothes to change to. I sighed, wrapping the towel around my body.

"Asher?" I yelled his name.

"Are you all done?" His voice filtered from the door.

"Could help me get something to wear?" I yelled back. His end was quiet briefly, before he pulled the door open.

I was leaning on the edge of the tub with the towel covering what little it could from my chest to my thighs. His eyes scanned me cautiously from the door, I felt the heat waves that travelled from his stare. I heard low growls from him, his green orbs coloring to a dark shade as he approached me with caution. Quickly, he handed the dress to me and literally scampered away. It was a long sleeved blue dress that stopped midway my thighs, sparing me the trouble of wearing pants.

When I was done I called out to him, "Asher. Could you help me with the blow-dryer?" I pointed at the object hanging on the wall. He nodded and brought it for me. He kept a straight and blank face but his eyes were showing some kind of struggle and he kept avoiding my gaze. I drowned the smile wanting to surface. I began blowing my hair, feeling his gaze on me but whenever I look his way he quickly avert it. He watched me till I was done and he carried me back to the room. After placing me on the bed, he said he was going to get dinner. Before I could protest he was already out. In less than two minutes, he was back with two plates of pasta and sauce. All of which we didn't have in the kitchen.

"Did you order?" He handed it over to me, not replying. I really didn't feel comfortable with him spending on me. "How much did it cost? I'll reimburse you"

"You don't have to" He said, settling two bottles of water on the bed.

"I do have to" I countered sharply, not backing down. I felt very uncomfortable having him pay for my dinner. I really detest receiving things for free, especially when it came from him

"And why is that?" His beautiful green eyes were on me. For a dangerous second, I almost got lost in his beauty.

I looked away, dropping my gaze on the plate of pasta. "I'm not comfortable receiving things for free"

"I won't be comfortable receiving money from you" He was as stubborn as he was awfully gorgeous. Though my heart was fluttering like a complete idiot, I refused to back down. We locked gaze briefly, before he sighed. "Fine. But I won't charge you for the dinner, instead when I need something from you, you'll have no choice but to comply"

His voice was calm and soothing. But his words sounded like I was making a deal with the devil. Reluctantly, I nodded. We finished our dinner in total silence. He took the plates to the kitchen and was back quickly. I resumed watching movie while he was seated on the chair opposite my bed. His eyes on me distracting me.

"You can leave you know, I won't be needing anything else for the night" I turned to him.

"I will. Once you fall asleep" It was hard not to notice the delicate manner his full cherry lips pressed against each other. How nice it would be if my lips could just…. Stop it Cirilla. I mentally spanked myself.

I paused the movie, placing the laptop on the bedside table. I groaned in pain having twisted my ankle badly while trying to lay properly on the bed.

Asher was by myside instantly, he raised my body with a hand and helped adjust me on the bed. To my surprise, he plopped on the bed and carefully raised my injured leg on his lap. I felt warm tingles gather at the spot his hands held my ankle, slowly rubbing it. The sparks erupting was enough to drive the pain away, it didn't hurt as bad as it did. His fingers touched and caressed it so tenderly that I flung my head on the pillow, biting my upper lip to suppress the moan wanting to be heard. The feeling of peace washed over me and I felt myself drifting into sleep.

I curled up on the bed, drowning deeper into the warmness that covered me. It was so comfortable and calming. I snuggled deeper and I fell asleep.

I fluttered my eyes open. It was morning already. I tilted my head gently, staring blankly at the sight before me. It took me a full quarter-second for my eyes to comprehend the sight before me. My blue crystals trailed from the hard ripple muscles of his arm that were identical to bronze Adonis, which was firmly wrapped around me. Slowly my eyes moved to the six packs that perked up from his tee to his broad shoulders and chest that my head was resting on so comfortably.

I could already feel my traitorous heart mounting a race, gently I lifted my head pulling it up only just a little. My breath got stuck in my throat. His face was up close to mine. The closeness I've been, his warm breath fanning the skin of my face, settling on my lips. I could see every detail of his flawless face, every curve, every features. His outlined jaw, those cherry plum lips of his that were as soft as it looked, the lean muscle of his nose, all the way to the black thick lashes guarding the gate to those emerald green crystals, his perfectly shaped brows, to his ruffled morning hair. Every thing about him was beautiful, and out of the world.

My eyes involuntary fell to his lips like they were calling out to mine, craving my attention and kisses. The pull was impulsive and strong that I found myself leaning in on his lips, I was almost there. Almost…. but I gathered the last strength I had and pulled away. Shutting my eyes close to regain my sanity since I had completely lost it.

I wanted to jump on him and have that muscular body of his have me pinned to the bed while he his lips did many things to my body. I felt heat building up somewhere in-between my legs. I fought for control but it was really hard with his skin next to mine. I jerked my eyes open in frustration of what he was clearly doing to me. I was not expecting to fall directly into his green eyes without warning.

Asher had his eyes on me staring with unspoken amusement. Could he somehow read my thoughts? Can werewolf read minds? The thoughts alone of how stupid I must seem to him made my heart explode and my facial features betrayed me.

His hips curled in a smile. "Good morning" Somehow that greeting alone came across like some kind of a tease.

"Do you mind?" I sent a glance to his arms around me, pretending it didn't bother me. He retracted it without saying a word. "I thought you would leave last night"

"I thought so too. But you held on to me and refused to let go" I wasn't sure if that was an intended joke or not. But regardless, I had to admit I had a great night. The best I've had, but I would never tell him that.

"Thanks for yesterday" I said, giving an hint that he should take his leave, even though I wished he wouldn't.

"Aren't you going to prepare for school?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I'm not going"

He nodded, "And your ankle?"

"Still the same" I lied, I felt much better. Was it the effect of being next to a werewolf? Does he somehow have the power to absorb my pain like in the movies----I spanked myself mentally. Enough with the werewolf thoughts Ci. Enough.

I came out from my bizarre thoughts finding his gaze on me. We stared at each other heatedly. "Aren't you leaving?"

"I'm sticking around till you feel better" I felt an insane warmth within me. But I looked away masking my true thought. He took me to the bathroom to shower and after I was dressed, he came to carry me back to the bed. Soon after he left and was back in an hour with bacon and eggs for two. It seemed like he stopped at his place, and showered. He was wearing fresh clothes. I shot him a quick look. It was a good thing I made that deal with him last night, otherwise the cost of last night dinner and breakfast would weigh alot on my part-time job at the gym and the bar. We ate in silence and after that watched some movies. Honestly, I loved the way I felt so comfortable with him.

Asher was seated next to me, after watching three movies without any interruption, I succumbed to the drowsiness calling me.

By the time I woke up, it was already dusk and Asher wasn't in my room. It seemed he had left. I found a note on bedside table. It was from him.

'I'll be back in an hour' Even his writing was beautiful.

I crawled out of bed in my short dress, carefully placing both legs on the cold tiled floor. I tried getting up, my injured ankle had gotten much better, the doctor had said atmost it'll take four-five days to heal but I felt better inside, the swollen had disappeared and only the greyish color remained. I took careful steps around, I could walk better, a little more rest and I say I'll be back to myself. What a miracle!

'Well, it's all thanks to me' The familiar voice sounded in my head, surprising me.

'Thought you'd never come back' I was genuinely happy she was back.

'You can't get rid of me so easily' The voice sounded low and tired.

I made my way to the bathroom for a shower. 'Are you alright?'

'Thanks to you I'm not. If you'd only let me in, you wouldn't have gotten injured in the first place and do me a favor please, don't ever push me out like you did' She sounded pissed, retreating away to the back of my head.

Very weird.

I finished showering. I draped a towel around me and gaited slowly to the room, trying not to bring harm to my injured leg. I grabbed white tank top and skinny jeans. I dropped the towel to the floor, wearing my panty when the door unexpectedly jerked open and Ashe walked in. My eyes connected with his, which left my gaze and roamed on my body, before finding mine again. His eyes were completely dark, there wasn't any shade of green in there. If I didn't know he was far from being human, I swear I would have been fazed by his gaze and the low growls vibrating from him.

"Sorry, didn't.... I uhm…." He looked really torn, like he was having an inner battle with himself. He shut his eyes closed, and opened it, finding my blue eyes on him. He looked away instantly, closing the door behind him and strolled over to the bed where he placed a leather bag on the table. I grabbed the tank top, wearing it. I also grabbed the jeans about to wear it when a something possessed me and the voice in my head snickered, whispering a naughty idea to me.

I turned to where Asher was unloading the items in the leather bag. "Could you please help me"

His eyes fell on me instantly, I held up the jeans, even though I could probably do fine wearing it on my own. Asher roved to my side. He collected the jeans, gently and carefully, he helped me wear on my perfectly fine leg and I had to lean on him as he helped me with my injured leg, it was a good thing that it still had a greyish color to it. Slowly he began to pull it up my slender thigh, hls finger grazing through my skin leaving trails of electrifying sparks until he reached my waist. His eyes never leaving mine, he helped me with the zipper. I fought back the whimper that almost escaped my lips at his intense stare, his touch and the heated air between us. The pull was intense, his hands rested on the skin on my waist and the whimper I fought hard to imprison left my lips, traitorously.

~~~~~~~~~~

Asher's point of view

The air around us was intense, Ryker is battling me for control. He wants to press her against the wall, rip off that soft cloth from her chest and thrust inside her. He wants to mark her. She's one damn temptress. And I'm in trouble. As I helped wear her skinny pants I tried not glancing at the black panty in her waist. I just want to rip them off and make her mine.

Control Asher. I tried to be calm. But even control was something I didn't have now. The last two days I had exhausted my control. I can't still shake off the image of her perfect perky breast from my thoughts. It was full and plum and needed my attention, my touch and kisses. Her curvy waist, her smooth and flawless skin that I want against my skin, her round pristine ass, and that slender legs of hers. I want it all. My eyes connected with hers and my hands fell on her waist, I didn't have the strength to pull away. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. Almost as if the matebond was intense for her as well. I gently caressed her hips and she released a whimper for me. Even with the white tank top on her I could still see a defined outline of her gorgeous breast, and hard nipples. I needed to pull away, but my body had life of it's own. My head pulled close to hers, my nose almost touching hers. She could feel the unexplainable intensity between us. Her breath lingered with mine and I wanted her lips on mine. I was almost there when my phone rang loudly and collapsed the bubble of insanity between us.

She jerked away from my hold, her cheeks coloring a shade of tomatoe red. She tried to hide it and that made me only chuckle. I didn't think anyone still blushed these days. I took a minute to answer the call from Lyra. I had blocked them from mindkinking me after I told her I injured Cirilla and I wanted to help out till she got better. She had insisted I only wanted to get into her pants and maybe that's true but even though I wanted to, Cirilla wasn't like my random hook-ups. I felt an obligation to respect her, she was my mate and I had to respect her, atleast try. By the time I got off from the call, she was already in bed, and had begun to eat from the dinner I brought.

She doesn't complain anymore about wanting to split the cost. She had a stubborn, and unsubmissive side which I liked. She wasn't one to follow blindly, she might like to think she didn't feel any sort of attraction towards me and act indifferent to my touch but I always smell the sweet scent of her arousal and that told me otherwise. She was too perfect to be mine.

My decision hasn't changed yet, as soon as she's better I was going to reject her. It's a good thing she was human, she wouldn't feel the pain of rejection as much as I would. I really didn't want to cause her pain, but I had no choice.

We finished our dinner and began to watch a movie while I was seating next to her. We weren't even thirty minutes into the movie when I felt her fall asleep beside me, her head falling on my broad shoulders.

I smiled to myself. Wrapping my arms around her and she leaned deeper into my warmth. I put the laptop away and tried to fall asleep. Last night I had the best sleep of my life having her next to me. If the circumstances were different, if I didn't have a demon counterpart that wanted her blood, even as a human, she would make an excellent Luna and a perfect mate. I fell asleep, only to be awoken by the loud thud of the front door. It made her jerk from my arms, her blue eyes bulging out when a female voice from the living room echoed her name in a manner that made me furious.

"It's my mum" She sounded shocked, even worse, terrified. I had never seen such kind of fear within the depths of her blue eyes. It made me angry. "I didn't know she would be back this soon" Before I could speak, she grabbed my arm. "You have to leave. She can't see you" She spoke as if it'll be the death of her.

Her heartbeat skyrocketing. She held my gaze, pleadingly. "Leave now!" She pointed to the window. I quirked a brow. I had never in my life jumped out of the window, and I would never flee in such manner from my mate's room. "Please Asher"

For the first time, she called my name. It rolled beautifully from her lips. It made Ryker roll on his belly, elated. I sighed and nodded. "Fine. Whatever you want love" I said, placing a kiss on her cheek, roving to the window. It was then I realized what I had just done. I kissed her on the cheek. It shouldn't matter, but it did to me. I turned back and found her frozen on her spot and eyes wide open on me. I do have a certain effect on her after all. A naughty smirk played on my lips as I jumped off the window.