Chapter 18

Cirilla's point of view

I jerked up from bed as soon as I heard the loud honking from outside. Hastily, I grabbed the small backpack on the bed and I rushed outside into the moonlit darkness, shutting the door behind me. The last couple of days I've been hanging out with Lyra and the guys, and was invited to spend the weekend at her place. Knowing Mum would never approve of it, I had decided to be a disobedient daughter for once and thought it was best to sneak out tonight and be back in the morning before she noticed my absence. I doubt the possibility of that, but luckily for me, Mum packed up earlier today for a weekend trip.

Stefan's black BMW was parked outside my house. As I walked closer, I could see at least four figures in the car. Lyra told me she was coming alone to pick me up, I guess the guys decided to tag along. She jumped out from the back seat, squealing in sheer euphoria and delight.

She squeezed me in a hug, her chocolate brown eyes smiling from its cage. "We are going to have the best weekend ever"

I nodded. I didn't for a second doubt her. Her brown hair danced from side to side at her movements. I returned her smile. "Can't wait"

Dorian gaited from the black BMW, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "I swear you're gonna have so much fun" He half-yelled, dropping my bag in the car. As I moved closer to the car, I found Stefan in the driver's seat behind the wheels, and beside him was no other than Asher.

Why did he tag along?

I questioned the purring presence in my head, but she was busy appreciating the gods' masterpiece before her. "Hey, Stef. Asher" I smiled as normal as possible, jumping beside Dorian in the back seat, while Lyra jumped in after me. Stefan started the car, revving into the road. We drove for a while on the main road before he steered to a different lane and the surroundings became unfamiliar. So quiet and unfamiliar, but it didn't bother me driving so late at night with a bunch of werewolves, on the contrary, I felt quite safe. Protected. Lyra and I were chatting about the weekend together and all the plans we had made. Through it all, Asher's stoic gaze watched me like a hawk through the rearview mirror.

Surprisingly, I was in control of my aroused inner me, focussing on Lyra instead. Something tells me I was going to have so much fun this weekend.

Soon, the car reached a giant black gate almost in the middle of nowhere, but the outer building was beautiful. Stefan honked at the car once, and I noticed figures sitting on the top of the walls. Stefan waved his hand a little, and immediately, the giant gate was dragged open. The guys exchanged pleasantries with some guys at the gate as they came closer.

"It was surprising to see you coming through here," The dark-skinned guy in the middle said, his eyes traveling to the passenger seat where Asher was seated. Quickly, like a call to order, their bodies stiffened and they bowed their heads in respect.

"Alpha As---" The words came out quickly, but Lyra hastily jumped in.

"We came with a friend Joshen" Smart moved to alert the dark-skinned guy, Joshen, that there was someone else in the car and should be cautious with his words. Involuntary, my lips twitched in a smile, a smile Asher was quick to notice from the rearview mirror, then his gaze locked with mine. Full of heat, but indecipherable. Ever since the almost-made kiss between us, he kept a safe distance from me, always staring but never too close. I was first to retract my eyes, finding Joshen's gaze on me, with all smiles as he cleared the path with the remaining guys for Stefan to drive through. The car drove past many buildings, where people splintered in groups around a fire, leisurely chatting under the appreciative bright moon. The car halted in front of a beautiful massive house.

We alighted from the car, there were people scattered around every corner in groups. Lyra grabbed my hand, all smiles, leading me inside the house. Just as how it looked on the outside, it was the same on the inside. Beautiful. It could fit an entire town. She led me to the kitchen. "Your place is beautiful, Lyra"

"Really," Her smile deepened. "It's my father's, and before that was my grandfather's, pretty much an entire generation" She laughed softly.

"Does everyone live here?" I took the opportunity to explore the large kitchen as she served some juice for me. "Well, some of us. There are houses around where families and visiting guests live. But we are basically one big family here"

I smiled at the way she said it. It held much love. I drank from my juice, apple flavor.

"So, let me first take you to my room, and then we'll tour around" She giggled ecstatically, her infectious energetic vibe slowly rubbing off on me.

"Sounds like a plan" She led me through the stairs to the top floor.

"This floor is specifically for Dad, Asher, and me, and for some special guests that come to visit."

"And the other floors?" I questioned, curiously.

"For the Beta family, and few other ranking----" She kept walking as she rattled on, instantly realizing she probably had said too much. Lyra's eyes found mine instantly. "Well, I meant basically some few important persons"

I walked next to her, nodding with a smile. Whatever you say, girl. "And your dad is some kind of a king here?" From my research, the Alphas are in charge of the packs. Lyra nodded, not trusting herself with her words. She showed me around the house as we marched up to her bedroom. It was on the top floor. The hallways were painted in royal blue, with the doors identical to each other.

"And this is my room" It was beautiful. Exactly how I pictured it would look. Typical Lyra. Full of warmth and love.

I tossed my backpack in the closet and changed into a white tank top and jean shorts that stopped mid-thigh. I checked my phone, and thankfully, there hadn't been any text from Mum yet.

She helped me settle in quickly. "Stefan just informed me dinner's ready" She jumped from the bed. I queried my brows, questioningly. She didn't receive any call from Stefan, nor could they somehow communicate with themselves. Bloody hell, I never actually thought about that. It made a hell of a lot of sense. Sensing my obvious confusion, she chuckled. "He texted me" I smiled, nodding. Whatever you say Lyra.

I finger-combed my long blonde hair to fall on my shoulders as we went back outside. I made new friends, Trish and Andy. Andy was a friend of the guy from earlier, I think Joshen was his name.

The crowd had increased, splitting into groups around the fire and extra tables. It made sense why they lived closer to the woods. We joined Wren, Stefan, and Dorian at the table for dinner. Asher was there too, sitting next to Wren. I sat beside Dorian.

"Lyra must have bored you to death with her boring tours' ' Dorian joked.

"Not hardly, I enjoyed it." I spooned some food into my mouth. Some of the peeps around I recognized them from school. I jerked at a sudden pull. I turned around and the guy from the party engulfed me in his arms. Cory.

"I didn't believe it when I was told we had a guest" He plopped beside me. "Welcome to our territory" He threw his hands wide open dramatically, making me laugh.

"Alright, Cory, she gets it," Stefan chirped. "Lyra should show you around, she's best at it"

"Thank you. At least someone appreciates me!"

"By the way, are you staying here for the weekend?" Cory curiously asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, till on Sunday"

"Too bad. It would have been lovely to have you around on Sunday night. It's Joshen's birthday and we'll be partying all day at the bar until dusk because of the full moon rising so---"

Stefan cleared his throat abruptly, cutting off Cory. The air around became too tense, probably because of something Cory had said. Full moon? I wasn't quite sure. Even Asher sent a killer frost stare at him.

"That would be fun," I said, in an attempt to lessen the brutal tension.

"Yes, it will," Cory sounded cheerfully, lowering the tension.

"Don't pay attention to him. I love you Cory, but he's worse than Dorian. Totally a manwhore!" Lyra said and Cory pretended to gasp, looking offended

"Hey, why drag me into this?" Came Dorian, joking. I laugh at their silliness. This was the first time I actually had dinner with people. It was always just me, having dinner in my room.

But tonight I felt a weird emotion I think people called happiness. It was totally worth it coming here tonight. We finished our dinner early, I was with Trish and Lyra. I didn't see Julia. I thought she would cling next to Asher, but that wasn't the case.

'Maybe they broke up' my Inner voice sounded at the back of my head.

I shook my head. 'No. Asher said they weren't dating'

'Oh yeah. Fuck buddies!' She enunciated the last words distastefully.

After a while, we moved to the back of the house which had a massive pool. Drinks were passed around. Looks like there was some kind of party happening tonight. I turned to Trish, asking her about it. I was right. There was a party happening tonight. I kept chatting with Trish while Lyra and her boyfriend were in the pool. Dorian was making out in the pool with some chick, and Wren was accounted for, but I couldn't find Asher.

I felt eyes on me, I whipped my head to my right. It was Julia. I haven't seen her since the incident at the bar. We locked our gaze briefly, and then she pulled away. Andy joined Trish and me. "Come on ladies, it's a party" He grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the pool but I declined. Not because I was a party pooper, definitely not. But swimming wasn't on the list of things that I could do. I never learned how to swim, and I would not embarrass myself in front of so many people. It came as a shock to me when Andy scooped me into his large arms, before I could process it all, he threw me into the water, and I was doomed.

I began to wiggle my hands and legs in the water, calling out to Wren who was closer to save me before I died. Quickly, he came to my rescue, but before he could touch me, a hand gripped my waist. Snappily, sparks ignited and my heart dropped a beat.

The hands around my waist pulled me deeper into his arms, completely swallowing my body. His hot breath settled on the skin of my neck and a feeling that I had no name for bathed through me. Only he could make me feel this way. I recognized his touch. He spun me around and I fell into his green eyes. Asher's arms held my body tightly, pinning me to his chest.

I felt his hands roam from my waist down to my legs which he brought and tangled around his waist. His eyes didn't break from mine, and frankly, the way I was positioned in his arms made my legs go weak and my heart kept hammering against his chest. He didn't say anything, instead, I held on to his neck as he moved skillfully in the water. He helped me out of the pool, helping me down.

"Thanks" I followed his gaze to my drenched clothes. He gulped, making his Adam's apple slide. Immediately, he jerked away quickly and walked away. Just like that without saying a word. Now it was obvious he was avoiding me like I was some kind of lethal poison to him. Trish roved to my side, handing a towel to me and Andy followed behind.

"Fuck!" Andy came to me. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that. I didn't know you couldn't swim" Great! Now everyone knows. "No worries. I'll go change" I went inside and navigated my way to Lyra's room. I fell on the bed, closing my eyes, hoping I'd be able to get rid of the lingering tingles that still stalked my skin. But it was impossible. Somehow it only intensified. I sighed, pulling my eyes open.

There was something different about Lyra's room. On that thought, the bathroom door jerked open. I swayed my head in its direction. Instantly, Asher's naked godlike body came into view. He had a towel tied loosely around his waist that showed his tempting v-line which unfortunately was hidden by the towel, water dripped down his body, running down the beautiful work of art tattooed from his arms, and extending to his chest. It was of a wolf. His black hair was wet sticking to his face.

It was too late to stop the gasp that escaped. And I wasn't prepared for the words that flew out next.