31. Tayla

Chapter thirty-one

Tayla

I slowly opened my eyes. The distant voices of men laughing and chatting filled the air. Slowly, the realization that I wasn't alone sank in.

I lifted my head, my gaze falling on Asher's body, his arms wrapped around mine. My eyes widened in shock at the fact that we were both naked!

I felt my heart race in panic as the memories of the previous night flooded into my head. I vividly remember drinking plenty of liquor and getting drunk. I remember being beaten by the Lycan creatures and was later saved by Asher.

Oh, Lord! Asher and I…we made love to each other last night. I couldn't believe that I gave in to him again. The shame and guilt hit me like a stabbing pain in my heart.

Yet, it has been warm and pleasurable. But still…if I had my freedom I would have been here for my father, I could have helped. Asher prevented me from being here for him.

But…Asher’s body felt so delicious. I didn’t want to get up, but I had to.

I couldn't believe I gave myself to Asher, knowing my father wasn't buried yet. I felt like I had betrayed my father and disrespected him. What was wrong with me?

I quickly scrambled up, pushing Asher off me, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him.

“Let go of me!” I yelled, a deep frown forming on my face as I shamelessly pushed his hand from my wrist. My eyes scanned the room before landing on my gown, which had been torn apart.

I could feel my blood and anger boiling over. I slowly turned my head back to Asher with a clenched fist. He was seated on the couch naked, revealing his muscular body.

“What are you doing in my house?” I demanded, consciously grabbing my already torn gown to hide my nakedness from him. My voice was laced with anger at the mere thought of what happened last night. It was foolish.

Asher's expression turned concerned, and he slowly rose to his feet, his gaze locking with mine. “Tayla…I came here last night and saw you being attacked by some men. I fought them with my warriors. You were injured, so I carried you in my arms and brought you in.”

“You dare to come to my house…tear off my clothes and—” I couldn't bring myself to finish the words.

“Tayla, please listen,” he took a step forward. “You healed…and...and…reached out to me. We both enjoyed last night. I don’t see the problem?”

“No, you listen to me now!” I yelled, my eyes blazing. “You had no right to come here. What happened between us ended the minute I left Celoria's pack. Now you need to leave my house!”

The tension between us grew thick as we continued to stare at each other. The only sound we could hear was my heavy breathing.

“How could you make love to me like that after my father’s death?” I asked.

“Tayla, I'm so sorry for your loss. I didn't know about your father but only found out this morning when your neighbors came to sympathize,” he grabbed his clothes and began to dress himself. He seemed confused and torn.

I shook my head, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. Turning around, I headed upstairs to my room. Closing the door behind me, I stood there frozen, staring at the wooden door. I still couldn't believe what happened last night.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down, telling myself it wasn't Asher's fault entirely. If I hadn't gone to the tavern and gotten drunk, I wouldn't have found myself in this situation.

But if Asher had just let me go sooner, I could have prevented my father’s death. My eyes burned with tears as I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling desperate to have a cold bath and wash every thought of Asher from my head.

Slowly turning around, I saw my reflection in the mirror. My hair looked like a bird's nest, and my face was pale as snow.

With a heavy heart, I stepped into the bathroom to prepare myself for the day. After having a long bath, I dressed in a long black gown and styled my hair. As I stared at my reflection, the door opened, and I saw my friends walk inside the room.

Anastasia, Penelope, and Heldi were all dressed in long black gowns. Today was the day my father would be laid to rest. The neighbors had arranged for my father’s funeral. When Anastasia placed a hand on my shoulder, I burst into tears and began to cry in front of them. Penelope hugged me tight as I cried in her arms. After I was fully soothed, I pulled back, taking the handkerchief from Heldi and wiping off my tears.

My eyes were swollen, and my head ached. Stepping out of the room, I felt the whole world spinning around me. I wasn't sure if I could face my father's grave today. The shame…the guilt… Everything was too much for my heart to carry. As I walked downstairs, my eyes fell on Asher, who was also dressed in black. Why was he still here?

I had expected him to look grumpy and angry after my earlier confrontation. Somehow, I didn't care; he was the cause of most of the problems I was facing, and I couldn't bear to be in the same room with him.

He opened his mouth to speak. “Tayla—”

But I just walked past him, my friends following me behind.

Everyone who attended the burial was draped in black from head to toe. As I stood in front of the open grave where my father's casket was laid, I imagined him peacefully asleep and not dead—if that even made sense. Once the priest had finished praying for him, the coffin was laid in the grave. I held my hands together, sniffing into the handkerchief as I saw my father's face one last time.

It felt as if, even in his death, he was judging me for my failure to help him. I felt the bile rise in my throat as the men covered the grave with dirt.

I stood there watching everything until the end, as everyone started approaching me with condolences. Even Alpha Adrian was present, as my father was a former warrior of the pack.

He approached me, a young girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes by his side. I saw her the night of the annual ball. Her dancing was exquisite. But I couldn't believe she was his mate.

“I'm so sorry for what happened, Tayla,” Alpha Adrian spoke up.

I nodded, still trying to process everything. Soon enough, everyone started leaving one after the other.

As I stood there, a deep frown appeared on my face upon seeing Asher approach me.

He had a sympathetic expression with his eyes filled with grief. “Tayla, I'm so sorry that this happened.”

I nodded, feeling ill. I didn't want to hear his apologies or condolences. I turned around and started walking toward the carriage. But I could still feel his presence lingering. My hand clenched into a tight fist as I looked around to see Asher standing behind me.

“What do you want from me?” I asked.

“Tayla, please listen to me… I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you. For what happened yesterday,” he apologized.

I took a deep breath, unable to hear any of his apologies anymore. But before I could turn around to leave, he reached out and grabbed my wrist.

All of a sudden, the rain poured upon us from the sky, drenching my clothes. I gasped for air, bringing my hand to wipe the water falling on my face. The graveyard was now empty, and everyone had gone to their homes. It was just the two of us standing a few feet from each other.

I tried to pull my hand backward, but his grip tightened.

“Tayla, I know I've wronged you, but please forgive me. I can't bear the thought of losing you,” he pleaded.

I looked into his eyes, and it felt like I was listening to a stranger speak. The love I once had for him was buried deep down. I tried to pull back again, but he held my wrist tight. His gaze burned with an intensity that made my heart skip.

I stood there, rain pelting my skin, as Asher's words cut through the storm.

"Tayla, I know deep down you still love me—"

"No!" I snapped, yanking my hand away. My heart raced as I stumbled backward. "That love died long ago, Asher."

His eyes, dark with desperation, bore into mine. "I —"

"Stop," I hissed, wrapping my arms around myself. "You don't love me. You just want to possess me. Let me grieve my father in peace."

Asher took a step forward, his voice breaking. "Please, just let me explain..."

I retreated further, my back hitting a cold headstone. "I can't let you in again, Asher. Even if you dragged me back, I'd never trust you."

"As you wish, my mate," he whispered, the words laced with bitterness. He turned to leave, his warriors falling in line behind him.

I watched Asher disappear into the mist, my chest constricting with a storm of emotions I couldn't untangle. Anger warred with longing, relief clashed with an aching emptiness. My fingers twitched, fighting the urge to call him back.