10. Asher

Chapter ten

Asher

As I stepped into her room that morning, I found Tayla lying in bed on top of the duvet. I quietly sat down beside her. She was sweating and lightly tossing back and forth even though the room was cold. Reaching out to brush the strands of hair sticking to her forehead, she slowly peeled her eyes open.

Her cheek was flushed with pink blush. Her eyelashes were wet as she slowly blinked awake. She pressed her lips into a thin line before pushing herself up to a sleepy seated position. Her gaze met mine, and her hand reached out for contact.

“Good morning,” I greeted her. “Are you feeling alright?”

A small frown came to rest on her lips, and her forehead creased. “I had a dream.”

“What did you dream about?” I asked.

She breathed out before running her wet tongue across her bottom lip. The little action made my heart tingle a bit, and I gripped a fistful of the bedsheet to keep myself from doing anything that wouldn't sit well with her this morning.

“I dreamed about seeing myself in a different pack, and I was chased by a man wearing black boots,” she explained.

Her lost memories were beginning to surface and return back to her through her dreams—that would be a problem. I had met the pack doctor, and he told me that for her memories not to be triggered, she would need to stay away from the things that might spark a flashback. That would be difficult but not impossible.

I hoped that her memories would not return—not out of cruelty, but because I loved her and wanted her to stay here with me.

“Did you see the man in your dream?” I asked her to verify exactly what she saw.

“No,” she shook her head. “I only saw his feet. He was wearing black boots…but who doesn’t own a pair of those?”

I sighed in relief, a small smile coming to rest on my lips as I opened my mouth to assure her.

“It was just a dream. A bad dream. I’m sure it isn't a recollection of your memory, okay?” I hoped she would believe my white lies.

“Just a dream?” she asked.

“Yes,” I nodded.

She sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I hope it's just a dream and that I'm not hallucinating or losing my mind. It felt so real.”

“You don't need to worry about anything because I would never let any man hurt you,” I assured.

She nodded her head slowly. Just then, her stomach grumbled, and her cheek flushed with embarrassment. It was time to eat.

“We should go downstairs for breakfast before the food gets cold,” I said, getting up from the bed. “Come, my love.”

“Give me a few minutes to collect myself,” she said, hurrying into the bathroom to get herself ready. She strolled out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later, dressed in a long white gown.

When she stepped into my view, my muscles hardened at the scent and sight of her. She smelled like fresh field flowers. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and smell more of her. I could barely resist her as she twined her fingers in mine, and we left the room.

We went downstairs for breakfast of sausages, cooked potatoes, and fresh fruit. As we ate, I couldn't stop myself from staring into her brown doe eyes. They looked so innocent and sweet.

"The full moon celebration is tomorrow night, and I want you to come with me," I said, breaking the long silence between us.

She paused eating, then raised her head to look at me. "Since the Elders already accepted me into the pack, why don't you link me to the pack?" she asked. She forked another potato into her mouth.

"I was thinking of doing that during the party," I replied. I could, of course, but I didn’t even yet know if we were fated mates. And I continued lying to her…

She nodded her head before taking a sip of water and standing up.

“Thank you for the meal, Asher.” She bowed her head slowly. I watched her as she made her way to the door and left the dining room.

I sighed, leaning my back against the chair. Once I was done eating, I left the castle and stepped into the waiting carriage. There were pack things to be done today in preparation for the celebration the following evening.

…

The full moon celebration night finally came, and I stood in front of the mirror in my black wolf form. My fur looked shiny and silky. I stared at my reflection from different angles in the mirror, my bright yellow eyes slowly blinking. The muscles around my thoracic area were well-defined. Then, I heard the sound of scratching at the door before I turned to see Tayla already walking in.

She was in her wolf form. How many times had she turned before? Only a couple, I figured. Her fur looked snow-white and soft. She also had a long silver tail, which was now wagging playfully.

"Tayla," I growled, her name a prayer in my mind. Her scent enveloped me, intoxicating and maddening. Even from across the room, it called to something primal within me. Mate , a voice whispered in the depths of my mind. Mine .

I gripped the edge of the dresser, fighting for control. If I hadn't taken that damned restraining potion yesterday... I shuddered, imagining the beast I might have become.

"We're late," I managed, my voice rough. "The ball awaits."

As we walked to the grand hall, I couldn't resist nuzzling her gently. Each touch sent sparks coursing through me, a delicious torture.

The moment we entered, all eyes turned to us. Werewolves of every hue twirled with their mates, yellow eyes gleaming in the light of crystal chandeliers. Flowers adorned every surface, their sweet perfume mingling with the heady scent of desire that permeated the air.

I'd always hated these gatherings. But with Tayla by my side, everything felt... different. Magical, even.

I led her to the dance floor and ss we swayed to the music, memories flooded back. Dancing here as a pup, my parents laughing and twirling me between them. Then darker times – my father's death, my mother's thirst for vengeance against the Elders she blamed.

Mother had been relentless, showing no mercy to those who crossed her. I'd followed her example, letting her bitterness shape me into the Alpha I became.

Tayla's soft fur against mine snapped me back to the present. I nuzzled her neck, inhaling deeply. My tongue darted out, leaving my scent on her in long, sensual strokes. She responded with a gentle rumble, pressing closer.

The air grew thick with tension. Without a word, I led her outside, away from prying eyes. Under the full moon's glow, we continued our dance – bodies entwined, fur against fur.

"Tayla," I breathed, my mind cloudy with lust. "Do you feel it? This... connection between us?"

She hesitated, confusion and desire warring in her eyes. "I... I'm not sure," she admitted. "Everything's still so jumbled in my head. But this... it feels right, somehow."

I pulled back slightly, cupping her face with my paw. "I know you're still finding your way back to yourself," I said softly. "But I promise you, what we have is real. It's always been real."

As I leaned in to nuzzle her again, with the moonlight flickering through the branches she looked like she was glowing.

She was the first to shift into her human form, and my heart tingled at the sight of her bare body. Her skin was pale, and her long, auburn hair flowed down past her shoulders. She smiled sheepishly as she moved her locks to cover her breasts.

I shifted into my human form and stood there gazing at her. Her eyes roamed over my toned chest, and I heard her gulp softly. She licked her bottom lip as her eyes traveled all the way from my chest to the erection I displayed for her.

She swallowed hard, taking her eyes back to my lips as she sucked on her bottom lip.

Not able to restrain myself any longer, I shortened the distance between us and brought my hand to touch her soft cheek, which was burning with an intense heat. I trailed my fingers down to her chin and grabbed her, pulling her closer to me. I crashed my lips over hers and began to consume her taking my fill, the kiss amplified and I roughly took more from her.

I growled as I continued, biting her upper lip, but she pulled back from the kiss. Her eyes were glowing yellow, which meant her body was ready. Then why did she pull back?

“You bit me too hard,” she touched her already bruised lip before gazing at me. “You need to take things easy. I don't want what happened last time to repeat itself. Be gentle with me, okay?”

My eyes burned with intensity as I pulled her closer again. My body was erupting with intense heat, and I could feel my wolf pushing me to the brink of insanity.

“You belong with me, Tayla,” I growled lovingly. “You are my wife, and I want to please you in every way possible.”

I leaned in and pressed my mouth to hers, capturing her soft, plump lips into mine. My warm breath fell on her face as we kissed, and her body trembled slightly. I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her from the ground and pushing her back gently against the tree. She gasped.

She tasted sweet, like honey, which made me lose my mind. My heart ached at the warm sensation I was feeling. My heart has always remained cold since the death of my parents, and I had never wanted to be loved. Who would have thought this woman would be the one to help me escape from my own nightmare?

I sucked on her lip, each passing second only increasing my desire for her. I felt her arms reach for my shoulders as she wrapped herself around my body. The kiss was slowly turning from a gentle determination to passionate desire.

One of her hands was around my neck while the other one moved to my hair as she softly caressed it. I wanted more of this new feeling that awakened excitement in me. I knew it now like I knew my own name. Tayla was my mate. There was no doubt about that. And I could tell from the way she moved that she knew it, too.

The women I had intimate acts with in the past had never caused this kind of consuming passion. It was exclusive to Tayla. My relationship with them ended the next morning as I sent them instantly back to their homes.

I pulled back and looked at her as she breathed heavily. I could see an anxiousness in her eyes as she yearned for more of the kiss. I took my time to admire her, from her face down to her breasts, and my shaft stiffened more.

I brought my hand to her neck and held one side before leaning closer and sucking on her skin. She moaned in pleasure, throwing her back into the tree as the pleasure consumed her.

I continued to suck on her neck, not having control of myself any longer. And then, all of a sudden, I bite into her skin. I quickly pulled back, feeling that I had made her uncomfortable.

“I…. I…”

“Asher,” she whispered. “I'm ready to have your mark. Do it to me. Mark me so I can get out of the eyes of other wolves who might be secretly admiring me. Mark me so I can love you fully and forever.”

I hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding my head and leaning in. When my canines sank into her skin, she let out a cry, and her grip on me tightened. Once I had left my mark on her neck, I continued to suck on her skin softly and tenderly.

I slowly peppered her skin with soft, warm kisses down to her breasts and then captured them in my mouth. As I sucked one, I grabbed the other breast with my fingertips. I continued to suck, teasing her nipples, hearing the sound of her moans, I knew I was who she wanted. It brought excitement to my wolf, and I didn't ever want to stop.

I moved my kisses across her chest and up her neck. My fingers pinched roughly on her nipples as I tongued my way back into her mouth. I danced my fingers down to her core. She spread her legs apart as I pressed the sensitive area where her thighs connected to her pelvis. I gently rubbed back and forth until I reached the bead at the top. Circling the sensitive bundle of nerves before walking into the warmth of her center.

I moved back to her breast sucking on her nipple while stroking her core until she was dripping wet with her juice. I had to taste this beautiful fluid. So I trailed my way down and melted into her as the sweet tang touched my tongue.

I wanted more. I wanted it all. I lifted her my head still hard at work savoring her moisture. My arms supported her before I bent her onto the soft golden leaves.

She spread her legs, becoming me in, and I knelt down in front of her. I positioned my already hard dick close to her core and plunged into her sweetness.

She cried out in pleasure once more. I leaned closer, capturing her lips into mine as I continued to stroke inside her gently.

I felt the wolf in me take over as I filled her bit by bit. Taking all of her feeling our connection solidified in the heat of the union.

“Good girl,” I whispered in her ear.

She hugged me tight, ensuring I wouldn't pull out. She yelped and bit my shoulder to contain the moans that threatened to escape her lips.

“Keep looking at me,” I said. “Don’t stifle your pleasure.”

She couldn't hold back the moans as she cried out in pleasure.

“Just like that, my love,” I whispered to her. She could barely breathe in the intimate act. Her eyes moved to mine as she saw the hunger that burned deeper inside me.