Chapter 27

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Pack negotiations took up the rest of the day. J and one of the betas walked in late, with blushed cheeks and swollen lips, still adjusting their clothing.

Wait..... are they mates? I asked Ash, a fond smile enveloping my face.

That or just casual sex, J is such a player Ash replied, his hand snaking down my thigh.

Vanessa was on the other side of the table, her eyes glassed over in jealously or some other emotion I couldn't quite decipher.

I entwined Asher's hand in mine and Andrew, Tolkien's mate brought up the results of the scout search at Ragbrook Castle.

Everyone immediately focused their attention.

"the scouts saw blood staining the bricks. The witch didn't bother washing the blood off therefore this is supposed to be a message. The scent was unfamiliar: a young female. I checked both packs missing records and nothing matched. The blood was fairly fresh so the witch must be nearby."

Andrew sat back down, a pensive look adorning his face, and placed a protective hand over Tolkien's.

Asher concluded the meeting, warning everyone to be careful due to the witches proximity.

We all knew that sooner rather than later the witch would send another message, the packs left the hall with rigid frames and concerned appearances.

As everyone was exiting, I let Asher's hand go and hurried after Vanessa.

Her slender frame was ascending the stairs as I lightly touched her arm in order for her to stop.

"Can I help you Luna?" she asked through gritted teeth; obviously displeased.

"Yes you can help me.

You need to stop, do you hear me? You and Asher used to have something, I get that, but that was a long time ago.

I understand your friendship, but you need to stop making advances on him. He's my mate. We are mated. Do you understand that? " my tone was angry, until I realised something which made me alter my perspective.

" you're in love with him. You have been for a long time, right? I'm sorry. I understand your feelings- he is the most loveable and caring person I've ever met. I'm sorry that he doesn't feel the same way, but when you find your mate, everything will change for you. This loneliness and longing which you currently feel will vanish. Your mate will love you and cherish you and you'll feel love. You'll feel so much love and adoration beyond your imagination. So don't worry because your mate is out there, I promise. "

Her facade wobbled under my words, her appearance exposing the pure weariness and loneliness she truly felt.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow. I'm sorry for this, I am, truly" with a brief flicker behind me she wandered up the stairs.

I turned around to notice Asher leaning against the doorframe, his face alight with joy.

"What?" I asked smiling self consciously.

"Kiss me" he spoke softly, closing the distance between us in 3 steps.

I pressed my forehead against his, savouring and dragging time out, acknowledging his growls of impatience.

I leaned my head towards his ear and whispered,

"You'll have to catch me first"

Before squealing and running out the open door into the sun-lit meadow.

I waded through the knee length grass, beams of golden light glinting off the river. Asher easily caught up with me and rugby tackled me to the soft grass, my body landing on top of his.

" You know, through my training I could find ways to out-manoeuvre you" I spoke between laughs.

"But" I continued

".... for now... I just want to do this"

I pressed my lips against his, feeling his body grind closer to mine. His tongue delved into my mouth as our lips moved against one another. As we pulled apart, breathless, I twisted my body around, my back on his front, so I could admire the blue, golden skies.

"I believe we promised two little wolves to come and make some cakes at our house"

"Our house" I repeated, in a trance-like state.

"Let's stay for 5 minutes longer" I bargained, nuzzling into his chest.

"I wouldn't have it any other way"

~~~~~~~

"These are gonna look amazing!" I sang, placing the cupcakes into the oven.

Seth and Alfie ran around the kitchen, squealing as Asher playfully chased after them.

Alfie ran up to me, jumping into my arms whilst Seth clung onto my legs.

"Okay boys, whoa steady" I laughed, Alfie wrapping his little hands around my neck for balance.

" how about we take this outside?" I suggested, Alfie flying out of my arms as him and Seth raced to the back door and into the garden.

Asher wrapped his arms around my waist as we wandered towards the garden to watch over the children.

"Where does Seth stay if both of his parents have passed away?" I asked quietly, clasping my hand with Asher's.

"He stays at the orphanage in town, the owners are this really lovely couple, they both take care of the children well. But it still breaks my heart to see a child parentless you know? Especially one so young."

I nodded, but a question rang in my mind,

Why shouldn't we adopt him? Of course I didn't say this to Asher, but I know how much he adores Seth and also how much I've already bonded with him.

"Let's go play" I spoke, my inner child squealing with joy.

Hours later, my limbs aching from running and being wrestled to the floor by 2 surprisingly strong 5 year olds, we sat down at the table eating the cakes which were slightly cold and burnt. But they tasted delicious.

Asher was glaring at me through hooded lids from across the table, his eyes darkening, spiked with something that couldn't been mistaken for anything but lust.

I think the kids should stay for another couple of hours what do you think? I asked, attempting to hide my smirk behind my cup of coffee.

The kids chattered away, eating and playing with toy cars, blissfully unaware to the sudden sexual tension transpiring between me and Asher.

You want to know what I think? He began, an dangerous edge to his voice, I think I should bend you over this table right now and fuck you into tomorrow.

Cappuccino spat out of my mouth as a blush descended over my cheeks.

"Are you ok Aunt Rose?" Alfie piped up, crawling onto my lap and looking me in the eyes, his small eyebrows furrowed with concern.

"Perfect" I replied, painting a smile on my face as I could almost touch the smirk of victory beaming off Asher's face.

"Ok you two, it's getting late and I'll be killed if I return you to your homes after dinner. " Ash began to stand up much to Alfie and Seth's whines of displeasure.

" but you're the alpha you can't be killed !" Seth moaned, exerting a laugh from Ash.

We took them back in the car, a much easier method of transportation against the cold evening winds.

As we dropped them off I received the biggest bear hugs,( again, an underestimate of the strength of werewolf children)

As soon as we dropped Seth off and it was just the two of us in the car, Ash piped up,

"Id like to take you somewhere"

"Are you taking me to a derelict cabin to chop my head off?"

"Oooooh close"

Through my laughter I outreached my hand and clasped it with Asher's as we zoomed through the darkening forest.

"We should go into the city one day, I've never been." I spoke out of the blue.

"I'd love to. We can stay over in one of my hotels"

"My hotels?" I questioned.

"As well as being Alpha of the most feared pack in America, I'm also a businessman. A silent partner, if you wish. I own a chain of luxury hotels throughout the country."

What?! This man is truly the most unpredictable being God had the delight of constructing.

"Anything else you've been hiding Mr Businessman Alpha?"

" I also own an island. And properties abroad"

"Rich shit" I muttered under my breath.

"What's mine is yours, baby" he laughed, entwining his fingers with mine, filling me with warmth.

"For someone so young you have a lot on your plate, how do you hold your empire together?" I asked, wondering about the mental toll everything Asher does has.

"You . You bring me back to sanity" he replied easily, betraying the sentiment behind the statement.

I love you. I uttered internally, too afraid to speak the words out loud.

So , unable to conjure up any words to fit the love I felt, I merely leant to kiss him softly on the cheek, my lips lingering on his skin.

He gave me a sheepish smile in return which made my stomach somersault like butterflies gnawing away the edges of my soul.

Then, "Were here" he announced, both of us stepping out of the car in the dark night.