7. Asher

Chapter seven

Asher

As I listened to Tayla's words, I felt a surge of anger flooding my veins. How dare she question my actions? The deaths of a few mere peasants in the pack over the course of years didn't mean a thing to me. My position as the Alpha of this pack was all that mattered, and everyone needed to respect me.

This was who I am, and she cannot change me!

With a snarl, I slammed my hand onto the table. She flinched a bit, her shocked expression spurring my anger. How could she be so naive, only listening to what others said and not what I said?

As I stormed out of the room, the frown on my face deepened. My hands were clenched tightly as I fought hard to control the furious anger within me.

Her words continued to echo in my head. The audacity she had to question me as an Alpha!

I refuse to let her bring me down. I am the Alpha and leader of the pack. I will not be swayed by her words. I made my way outside the castle into the cool air, stepped inside the carriage, and disappeared down the road. I needed to vent my anger somewhere other than here.

When I returned to the castle later that day, I went upstairs to her room. After knocking, I pushed the door open and walked inside to see her lying on the bed.

I approached her and saw that she was sweating profusely, and her eyes were tightly shut. She mumbled something in her sleep before opening her eyes.

I then turned around to leave before she could try to sway me with her words.

"Please don't go," she pleaded. "Stay, let's talk things out."

I halted, turning back to face her. "There's nothing to discuss. Even if I explained everything, you wouldn't understand. This is who I am, and you can't change that."

"I know, Asher–"

"I'll be in my room," I interrupted, cutting her off.

I watched Tayla's face crumble, her eyes pools of uncertainty. She opened her mouth, then closed it, struggling to find words.

"Why can't we just... talk?" she finally whispered. "Get to know each other again?"

Frustration bubbled up inside me. "I've tried everything to make you understand. We've been married for a year, Tayla. What more can I say?"

She sat up straighter, a flash of determination in her eyes. "I know I'm not myself, but I'm trying. A marriage without communication is doomed."

"Oh, so now you claim we're married?" I scoffed, even as my heart ached. "I thought you were still 'processing.'"

"You acknowledged it," she shot back. "I'm... coming to terms with that."

I turned away, reaching for the door. "When you've fully accepted it, then we'll talk."

"Wait!" Her voice cracked. "I... I think I do love you!"

I froze, her words piercing straight through me. My pulse raced as I slowly turned back, hardly daring to believe.

Tayla's cheeks flushed as she continued, "When I woke up, I never imagined... but now, I'm seeing things differently."

"What's left to discuss?" I asked, eyebrow raised, fighting to keep my voice steady.

She took a deep breath. "Us. Your controlling nature. Your neglect of the pack. This feels... loveless. How do I know you're not lying about everything?"

In an instant, I was beside her, pulling her into my arms. She stiffened, trying to push me away. "Don't," she protested. "You don't care."

"Stubborn woman," I murmured, my lips brushing her ear. "I fell for you the moment I saw you. Why else would I have stolen you from Silvermoon?"

A memory flashed – Tayla, radiant in the moonlight, her fierce spirit calling to something primal within me. I pushed it aside, focusing on the present.

"The pack needs you," she insisted. "We need to solve this."

I nodded, running my fingers through her hair. "You're right. But I can't focus on pack problems when you're here. You're my priority, Tayla."

"Then let me help," she pleaded. "I'm your wife, it's my duty—"

"This isn't something you can solve alone," I interrupted, cupping her face. "I can't bear losing you again."

She squared her shoulders. "I'm not just your wife. I'm a leader of this pack."

A smile tugged at my lips. Her fire, even without her memories, was breathtaking. "You are my wife," I said softly, "and I need you safe. Can you trust me to protect you?"

Tayla's tongue darted out, wetting her lips. Her eyes, those deep brown pools I could drown in, searched mine. "I... I trust you, Asher."

It was all I needed. I leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that started gentle but quickly blazed into something more. My hand found the curve of her neck, drawing her closer as I poured every ounce of longing, frustration, and love into that single, searing moment.

When we finally broke apart, both breathless, I rested my forehead against hers. "I will earn that trust," I vowed. "And I will help you remember the love we shared."

Tayla's eyes fluttered open, a mix of confusion and desire swirling in their depths. "Asher, I—"

She gasped, bringing her hands around my neck, and I leaned closer. She tasted so sweet. It made me feel better for the first time in many years.

My fingers dug into her waist, and I pulled her closer to me to kiss her more. When I pulled away from the kiss, she was breathing heavily, and her lips had become plump. I placed a small kiss on her forehead before pulling back.

“Asher,” she spoke up., “I have an idea. How about I give you a little makeover?”

I raised my eyebrow in surprise. “A makeover?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Trust me, it would make you appear gentler and more pleasing toward others. I would start with your hair and nails.”

I hesitated a moment, wondering if I should give in to her idea or remain the way I was. I actually loved how I scared the people in the pack whenever they saw me because of my appearance. But now that I was with Tayla, I needed to look my best for her.

“Alright. Let's do it,” I said.

We stood up from bed and headed to my room. As I sat down in front of the mirror, she worked on my scraggly hair. She gently cut out the big, matted sections of my hair. Once she was done, she trimmed it very finely, and I was surprised at how she transformed it. My expression changed a lot. Damn, I looked handsome.

I slowly closed my eyes when she began to wash my hair with shampoo over the bathroom sink. Her fingers massaged my scalp as she worked and then rinsed.

She then went to my nails and manicured them, rounding the edges. When I opened my eyes again, I saw her standing in front of me with a blush.

"All done. Now, you should see your new self," she said.

I turned slowly to the mirror, and my eyes widened at the reflection. I never believed I could look this striking with just a makeover. I always saw myself as an ugly beast because that's how other people saw me.

My jawline appeared more chiseled now. My hair was cut very short, and the shampoo she used made it darker. My nails were well trimmed. I looked clean.

“Thank you,” I said as I continued to stare at my reflection. Turning around, I saw Tayla standing in front of me; we were inches apart from each other.

Before I could say something, her lips crashed onto mine, and she kissed me hungrily. She sucked my lips, wrapping her arms around my neck. She pulled back, trailing wet kisses down to my neck, and I looked at her in surprise. I didn't expect this from her. She began to suck my neck; a low growl erupted from my throat.

Everything was growing too fast, and I didn't know when my member had hardened. Images of her on the bed naked as I explored her body occupied my mind. Tayla was not just attractive but something else that made me go insane.

Without warning, I lifted her from the ground and dashed her to the bed.

As I pinned her underneath me, she bit her bottom lip in a seductive way that made my heart pound harder.

I slowly tilted her neck to the side, and thoughts of marking her as mine filled my mind. But for now, I needed to focus on love making. I kissed her neck, dragging my tongue to her collarbone before sucking the area. She gasped, her body shivering in response.

I grabbed her head, pulling her towards me for more kisses. As time passed on, the kissing became more intense. I ran my tongue all over her lips, sucking them intensely just to hear her sweet moans.

I couldn't hold myself any longer. I wanted to be deep inside of her. Without wasting any time, I ripped the gown off her, and her body came into view.

Her legs were trembling, and she tried to clamp them together playfully. I grabbed both of her legs, spreading them apart. She gasped, a low moan escaping her lips.

Everywhere I touched left her body feeling warm. The both of us were so overwhelmed with the electricity moving between us. I pulled my shirt from my body before bringing my hard member to her core.

I leaned closer before whispering into her ears. “I can't wait to hear more of your moans, my love.”

In response, she grabbed my head, kissing me intensely. When I thrust into her, a single tear fell from her eyes. Her legs instantly wrapped around my waist as I filled her completely. She dug her nails into my skin as another cry escaped her mouth. She was warm and wet.

“Asher…..”