33. Asher

Chapter thirty-three

Asher

As I stood in front of the garden holding a liquor bottle, the moon cast its eerie glow upon me. I took another gulp, feeling the burn all the way down my throat.

My mind was consumed by the weight of my mistakes. I had failed Tayla. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would have done things differently.

I wouldn't have yelled at her or treated her so rudely. I would have been gentle with her, and maybe she would have stayed in love with me. I blamed myself for locking her in the tower and stripping her of her freedom.

“Asher.”

At the familiar voice, I slowly turned around, my head spinning with drink. I was met with a sight that made my heart skip a beat. Standing before me was Tayla, her eyes mixed with concern and sadness.

I stumbled backward, unable to believe that she was here in front of me. Was this some sort of hallucination? Was I going insane?

My eyes widened in disbelief as I continued to stare at her thinking this might be the ghost form of Tayla.

Tayla dropped the bag from her arms and hurried to my side, enveloping me in a tight hug. She held me close, sniffing my scent into her nostrils.

For weeks now, I hadn't been stable. Even though I tried to make the pack better for everyone, I found myself in a mess, knowing that I wouldn't see Tayla again.

Ever since she came into my life, she changed me. I was no longer the cold and uncaring Alpha who didn't care about the feelings of others.

I was still stunned—my brain struggling to process what just happened. The last time we parted, I was a different person. One devoid of empathy and compassion. Now, I was just a broken shell…drowning in a sea of regret.

Tayla held me close as if she'd never let me go. I wrapped my arms around her as the liquor bottle slipped from my grip. I was done with the drink—that emotional crutch. I had her again. As we pulled back from the hug, our faces inches from each other, I opened my mouth to say the words I had wanted to speak for a long time now.

“Tayla, I'm so sorry for everything. I know I've wronged you in so many ways. I'm sorry. Truly. I apologize for not being the person you deserved…I was blinded by power. I didn't realize the damage and pain I was causing you,” I said speaking from my heart.

But Tayla caught my hands in hers, and she held me with love and understanding.

“Asher, you don't need to apologize to me anymore. I forgave you a long time ago, but I was consumed by anger and sadness. I'm back because my life in Silvermoon was no longer home, and you feel like home. I tried to fill the void those weeks, but it's nothing compared to the love we had, the happy memories we made together,” she said.

I felt a pang of guilt in my heart, knowing that I had driven her away from the pack through my actions. But her words only ignited a glimpse of hope within me.

“I want to change for you, Tayla. I became a better person because of you. My people are doing great because of you. You showed me how to lead my pack. I want to be that person you deserve, the one who will make you smile and care for you never to cause you heartbreak,” I confessed, my voice filled with determination.

Tayla's expression softened as she continued to look into my eyes.

“I know you have changed, Asher. I heard of all the effort you put into the pack to make it a better place for everyone. But this time it's not just about changing for me but also for yourself. You deserve to be a happy person, Asher,” she explained.

I pulled her into another warm hug. When we pulled apart, we remained seated on the bench in silence. The only sound one could hear was the leaves rustling in the garden.

“Let's start life again. Let's build a new relationship together filled with love and trust,” I spoke up. “Can you learn to trust me again?”

“Yes, yes, I can. You gave me my freedom, Asher, and I chose to come back to you because I love you and want to be with you.”

Her words filled me with an almost unbearable joy. She wanted to stay with me. She was home to stay. she was mine, again.

We sat down in the garden together and talked for hours. When the night grew darker, we both retired to our room. As I lay on the bed, I saw Tayla walk out of the bathroom dressed in short, red lingerie. I felt my heart racing at the sight of her, and I swallowed hard.

A sly smile played on her lips as she sat down in front of the mirror to brush her hair. I quickly rose from the bed and approached her, my fingers exploring her bare skin.

I leaned closer, to smell her exposed skin, the fragrance was intoxicating. I pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her neck. Then I sucked on the sensitive spot just above her shoulders causing her body to tremble. She tilted her head to the side to give me better access and I wrapped my lips around hers.

I greedily kissed her and it felt like I was starving, eating for the first time. I sucked her bottom lip, and she parted her lips before delving my tongue into her mouth.

We both kissed each other, my hands exploring her body. She gasped when I bit her bottom lip before soothing it with warm air from my mouth. I slowly pulled back to allow her breath sometimes, but my lips never left her as I peppered her face with soft, wet kisses that made her toes curl.

I trailed my kisses down to the crook of her neck, and she shifted under me as I sucked her. Her body trembled under my touch as my fingers explored her curves. Just then, I heard a knock on the door.

Tayla straightened up before grabbing the oil and rubbing it on her skin while I headed toward the door. Reaching there, I met a guard, with news to give me. Grabbing the small box from him, I shared a few words with the guards. Turning around, I saw that Tayla was already in bed with her eyes closed.

I joined her on the bed, tucking the blanket over our bodies as I wrapped my arms around her. She laid her head on my chest as she slept peacefully. I watched her sleep trying to mesmerize her every feature.

The next morning, I decided to create a little surprise for Tayla. I poured the milk into her cup of coffee and carried a tray of food upstairs to our room. I pushed open the door and walked into the room to find her sitting up in bed.

I sat beside her, heart racing with anticipation.

"Breakfast in bed?" Tayla's eyes sparkled as she smiled at me.

I nodded, watching with delight as she took a big bite of toast, giving me an enthusiastic thumbs up.

But the surprises were far from over. Once dressed in a casual dress and slippers, I led her to the garden. Winter was approaching, and delicate snowflakes dusted the last blooms, creating an ethereal scene.

As Tayla gazed around in wonder, I knelt before her, producing a small box from my coat pocket. Her eyes widened as they fell upon the glittering silver ring nestled inside.

"Tayla," I began, my voice thick with emotion, "you've illuminated my world since the moment you entered it. You've made me a better man than I ever thought possible. Will you marry me, my love?"

For a heartbeat, she stood frozen. Then, with a joyous nod, she extended her hand. "Yes," she whispered, then louder, "Yes, I will marry you!"

As I slipped the ring onto her finger, warmth bloomed in my chest. I rose, drawing her close. Her cheeks were flushed with happiness as I placed a tender kiss on her forehead, then captured her lips with mine.

Tayla returned the kiss with equal fervor, and in that moment, everything felt right. If someone had told me weeks ago that I'd be here, proposing to Tayla, I wouldn't have believed them. I had thought our story ended when she left Celoria's pack.

I brought her hand to my lips, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Her answering smile was radiant as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I love you," she murmured against my chest.

"And I love you," I replied, marveling at the path that had led us here. "Always."

As we stood there, entwined in the snow-dusted garden, I knew with certainty that this was just the beginning of our greatest adventure yet. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, bound by a love that had weathered storms and emerged stronger for it.