Alpha Asher’s POV

“What’s your name?” I asked in a soft voice, and her eyes darted all over the place as if she was looking for an escape route. I don’t want my mate to stare at me like she was scared of me; I don’t want my mate to be scared of me. I want her to love me and me to love her back in return. This wasn’t what I planned at all. I have been trying to get her to talk for the past ten minutes, but she wasn’t budging. I don’t know how to do this, but for her, I wanted to put in every possible effort. This was the person I’ve been waiting for all my life and I wasn’t going to let things get messed up.

I kind of understand considering that she woke up from a terrible nightmare hours ago and she has been too scared to even blink talk-less of sleeping. I watched her close her eyes for a bit before snapping them open again. After she had her bath, I had Edna, my Zeta get a few clothes for her till she was ready to shop for herself. I wished she didn’t go through all of these before she met me, I wish I left my region more often. Maybe we would have met and I would have saved her from whatever was tormenting her even in the dreams. I watched her go through her last nightmare and I really felt helpless.

“Okay, Let’s do this. My name is Asher. What’s yours?” I asked with a whisper and she finally raised her eyes to look at me. At last, I was making progress, her eyes were fixed on her hand as if it was the most interesting thing in the room all day. I was close to giving up but her looking at me definitely means I was making good progress.

“Maya, my name is Maya. The nuns from the monastery said it means a good soul.” She whispered back and I tested the name on my lips. I loved the way it sounded and pronouncing it brought a smile to her face. This was real progress. I didn’t know what to ask next, I was selecting my questions carefully so I don’t trigger her into silence. It took a whole lot of effort after she woke up to get her to talk.

I picked her hand from the bed and I watched her jolt back in shock, she could feel it too, she could feel the mate bond too. I was glad that I’m not the only person feeling this way, explaining it to her would be easier this way. I wondered if she ever knew what a mate was or how the bond worked.

“We are mated. Wow, I don’t want a mate. I want to walk around the whole world free from everyone.” She added a few minutes later and my whole body dropped in disappointment. She was giving up on us before we even had a chance to explore our mate bond. I feared this would happen that was why I wanted to take my time and explain things to her. Unfortunately, someone already messed up an idea of how mate should be for her and now have to beat a soiled record.

“Maya, you’re really going to reject me before you get to know me?’ I asked and she nodded almost immediately. I don’t know which was more disappointing, the fact that she didn’t want me, the fact that she made her decision quickly and as fast as possible, or the fact that she seemed so sure that rejecting was the best option for her. She wasn’t even giving me an opportunity to prove that our mate bond was going to be the best thing that happened to us both.

“Maya, do you know the moon goddess paired us for a reason, she makes the best decision. She knows we would be perfect for each other, that’s why.” I added softly and I wished I didn’t because Maya started throwing things and screaming at me to get out. It happened too fast, one minute she was being calm with me, and the next she was acting enraged. I should have known that most people from the monastery rarely like the moon goddess, same with Daniel too.

“You sit there and tell me crap about the moon goddess and what she wants. I don’t fucking care about whatever she wants and I do not want you as a mate. She fucking sat on her throne like a princess and watched them fucked my life up and leave my body as a museum of scars. She watched while my parents dumped me in hell, she fucking watched when everyone in the monastery got tossed out and we were turned to omegas. We were treated as slaves and we saw hell, now I took an action by myself and you’re telling me crap about a stupid goddess who couldn’t even save Alpha Liam. Don’t feed me the crap. I don’t need the goddess and I for one, don’t care about her at all. Don’t blame you, you probably grew up with a silver spoon and you don’t know what life as an omega entails. It’s easier for you to say stuff about how a goddess makes the best decision. Maybe my parents dumping me was a great decision she helped them make too. In fact, I’m getting out of here and this pack. I fucking want to see the Alpha and he should let me go. I’d rather die as a rogue than spend the rest of my life with y0u” She screamed in my face and for the first time, I felt like a failure. All of these could have been prevented if I had gone in search of her instead of waiting for her to come to me.

I don’t what broke my heart more, the fact that she had to go through all of these alone. I felt for her I wish I could take away all of her hurt. I couldn’t and I hated the fact that she canceled me without getting to know me. She didn’t stop throwing things at me and I stepped out for a moment. This was beyond my control already. I told the nurse on duty to sedate her till she was calm again and we would have another decent conversation. I walked back to the pack office feeling dejected, I couldn’t get the fact that my mate didn’t want me and she probably won’t want me out of my head. It hurts too much to even think of it. I wanted to be there for her every step but she wasn’t letting me. Daniel walked past me to go on patrol duties before he squeezed my shoulder in reassurance, this was way more than we thought.

I came back later to watch her sleep, I wished it was this easy for all of us. In less than twenty-four hours, she has made a dent in my life already. She had a nightmare earlier and watching the CCTV footage of how she pleaded for a certain Alpha not to kill her shredded me into pieces. She didn’t deserve any of this, no human deserves to go through things like this but this life was unfair to everyone. I wanted to hold her in her sleep and watch her take each breath like they were precious but I was scared of her reaction. I didn’t want to scare her off, I wanted to take things slowly with her. We are going to be together forever and there’s no need to rush things.

She tossed around and when she finally opened her eyes, my breath hitched. I was supposed to go out of there so I don’t trigger another of her episodes but I couldn’t bring myself to walk out. I wanted to be there for her during every stage. She wasn’t letting me do this for her, she wasn’t allowing me to be there for her. It hurts more than anything else and I don’t know what to do. I hated my helplessness more than I hated the fact that I could only stare at my mate after years of waiting for her.

I took the seat close to the bed and I watched her shift uncomfortably, I didn’t like the feeling one bit. I was going to do this with her slowly and I really hoped it worked out. I tried to take her hand and this time she didn’t flinch away from me. She stared at me emotionless, as if she couldn’t care what else would happen. When I touched her, she didn’t react like she did the first time and my heart clenched. I proceeded without getting discouraged. Not even this neutral facade would stop me from being with my mate.

__________

We already established the fact that I was the Alpha here and she wasn’t going anywhere until she understood we were mated and we would be forever. The way she stared emotionless scared the crap out of me, almost like I was dealing with a robot. I didn’t want this for her or myself, every of her acts hurt me deeper than I wanted. Never for once have I thought we would reduce to this. I didn’t know a single action of a person would turn me into a dunce. I hated this feeling of being powerless.

“You have to be present for Luna training every morning after breakfast…” Edna was speaking and Maya stood up before walking out of her sitting area and she proceed to walk towards the door. She has been acting aloof since we told her everything and everyone was hanging barely on a thin thread.

“Don’t you dare walk out on me this instant? What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think you’re the only one affected by all of this? Stop acting like a coward and get your life together.” Edna screamed and I recoiled at the way she sounded. No one deserved to be shouted at like that but Maya had been getting on everyone’s nerves. I low-key waited for Maya’s reaction because one minute, you could tell what she would do and the next moment, she was practically unpredictable.

“How about you lead the way by getting some damn manners bitch. Don’t fucking yell at me” She replied before she walked out of the building, Edna stood up in a flash and I placed my hand over hers. She didn’t need to go after her or do anything to her. Maya was still healing and we all knew that. It was a huge change in her life and she wasn’t taking it the right way. Maybe we needed to try another routine without her getting jumbled up.

“What if Y’all are actually doing it the wrong way. This lady is new to all of these, she has known nothing but pains all her life. She lashed out at you because you thought she would be comfortable with that emotional manipulation of the goddess knew what she was doing. Guess what? Not everyone is a fan of the goddess and a bonus point is that she grew up in a monastery and those nuns rarely believed in the goddess. I was raised in a monastery too. Let her breathe and take things to step by step and You’d see how much of a great result it will yield,” Daniel said and Edna turned to look at him sharply. She looked like she wanted to rip him to shreds with her claws and the only thing he did was shrug his shoulders. Daniel wasn’t scared of anyone.

“How do I take things slowly when she’s not even giving me a chance to be with her?” I found myself asking and Daniel clicked his tongue again, he was about to give me an earful when he finishes. I know that too well. Teacher Daniel mode activated.

“Be her friend first, pretend as if you’re not mates at all. Act as if you don’t know you are going to spend the rest of your lives together and try to get to know her properly. Allow her to trust you and let her feel the mate bond without pressure from you or anyone. If possible suspend the Luna lessons and watch her slowly warm up to you. Tell her random things you don’t tell anyone and You’d see her trusting you gradually.” Daniel replied and I was elated, everything he listed sounded easy but it was going to take a lot of time. If pretending as if we weren’t mated would make her trust me then I’m willing to try it out.

Jason’s POV

I lay on the shards of glass in disbelief. That little brat had pushed me down and made her escape. I wanted to burst into a scream, calling the guards to alert them but the shame overpowered me and I stayed silent.

What would they think of me! What would father say! Melissa wouldn't let me hear the end of this story!

All these thoughts ran through my head. It made me angrier. Angrier that I couldn’t do what I wanted how I wanted and all because my wolf need more training cause it was born weak! I just lay in the shards thinking of how my whole life would be better if I wasn’t weak and how perfect it would have been. The thought turned to anger. Anger towards myself; for being born weak. Anger towards Melissa; for being so strong and the perfect child and a threat to my position as alpha. Anger towards Maya for doing this to me!

The angrier I got, the more I needed to crush something and get all the pain out. So I clawed at the shards beside me and rolling my hands into fists, crushing the shards to tiny pieces, drawing blood from my palms. It didn’t hurt like it was supposed to. It just felt right and gave the satisfaction I needed. The anger slowly dissipated and I began to wonder where Melissa was.

She would normally have barged into the room, brooding or screaming cause father would let out his anger on her. She hadn't come yet. I looked at my wall clock and it had been an hour since she had called me.

“ I’ll just give her five more minutes.” I said to myself. Still siting on the shards.

Melissa pulled my door off its hinges as she walked in, stopping just a few paces from the doorway with a pissed glare on her face. She had obviously been cautioned by father and now, it was time for us to argue.

“ Did you or did you not understand when I said father requests your presence in the training room ? and that you could tend to your little omega later! I’ve been screamed at and threatened to be killed! Why do you do theses things to me Jason?” Melissa said with her death glare. She had the most beautiful looks in our pack but her eyes were full of death and rage. She was simply a psychopath.

Melissa stood in the door way, glaring around the room, obviously looking for me when her death glare turned to a confused stare.

“Where is the bitch?” Melissa asked, referring to Maya. “ And why are you on the floor?”

“Maya isn’t in the room. She made for the borders, if you send the guards to get her, they can catch up still.” I pushed myself off the shards, while avoiding eye contact with Melissa.

“So you let the omega escape?” Melissa tilted her head at a disturbing angle as she glared at me.

“ I didn’t let her escape, she just managed to slip pass through me.” I growled at Melissa as I pulled the shards of glass from my hands and clothes.

“ I love you brother but this baffles even me. How in heaven’s name did a little omega get past you! She’s just an omega!” Melissa raised her tone from her usual proud low tone.

“ I don’t know Mel! She took me by surprise! So please, if you’re done, get the guards and let them go after her!” I barked at Melissa but she didn’t flinch. She just rolled her eyes and gave me her signature death look and returned to her deadly low tone.

“ I love you Jason and I would do anything for you but, this is your mess. You fix it.” Melissa smiled at me. She was enjoying this.

“Get out of my room Melissa.” I growled , my head bent, trying to control my anger and not start a fight.

“ You’re gonna have to speak louder than that dear brother. I can’t hear you if you’re busy sulking with your head bent. “ Melissa said a chirpy, nice voice like a princess fairy.

“Get out! Melissa!” I barked even louder. The smile on Melissa’s face vanished and she had her death glare on.

“Father still demands your presence in the training room.” Melissa said before she turned on her heels and walked away. Leaving me to my silence and frustration.

“ I would kill Maya, even if its the last thing I do.” I said under my breath and headed to the training room.

Melissa’s POV

Jason was angry, I could tell by the way he bent his head and folded his fists till he drew more blood from his hands. I wasn’t in the mood for a fight and father was awaiting my return with productive answers. I walked out of Jason’s room to avoid another fight but I waited in the halls. If I didn’t return with Jason, I would be returned to the moon goddess. Jason seemed to be taking his sweet, sweet time.

“Any time this century would be good brother.” I said in the halls. Jason looked up at me and his eyes were angry. I raised a brow, asking if he wanted to go here and now.

Jason just looked away and made to the training room. Jason walked past me and I could feel the anger sway past as he walked past. He was literally emitting anger. I followed behind him with my proud look that everyone seemed to notice.

We got to the doors of the training room and Jason took a deep breath and exhaled. He shook his hands and stood in front of the doors, still getting ready to open them.

“Any time you’re ready.” My sarcasm dripped from my voice.

“Shut up Mel.” Jason said calmly.

“Father is the one at the other side of this door, he’s not your mate so no need to look perfect. Plus he ‘s really pissed so just get on with it.” I pushed the doors open from behind Jason and walked in.

“That took you a while Melissa.” Father’s deep voice boomed through the room.

“I’m sorry father. I’ll do better next time.” I gave father a low bow and stood by his side while Jason stood in front of father.

“Hello father.” Jason had his two hands at his back and acted like he wasn’t the guilty one here.

“Melissa was sent to get you twice. Did you not get her message the first time?” Father asked, his voice slightly louder as his veins popped. Father was mad.

“ I did get the message the first time father. Something happened and I couldn’t come on time . I’m sorry.” Ja son looked calm and collected as he stood there but we both knew that he was begging the moon goddess for this to go well.

“ Some whatever is more important than your training?” More veins bulged on father’s arm. He was getting angrier. “Do you know why we have your training sessions Jason?” Father asked Jason in a calmer tone.

“Yes father.”

“And you decided to deal with whatever you were dealing with at the expense of your training. Why?” father’s voice rose and the walls of the training room shook.

“Alpha! Control yourself!”Jason’s trainer held father’s shoulder and spoke with a firm voice and father’s wolf eyes disappeared and his human eyes were back.

“ What was this so called emergency you needed to attend to that demanded that you keep your training on hold for an hour plus?” Father looked down at Jason with a disgusted look.

“ One of the omega’s escaped and I wanted the guards to get her before she slipped past the borders?’’ Father looked at Jason’s fist, noticing the blood there.

“And was the omega captured?” Father asked with obvious disinterest in what Jason had to say.

“I didn’t. She should be gone past the borders by this time.” Jason kept his head down as he tried to explain himself to father.

“So in the end, you didn’t get the omega back and practically delayed me and your training for no tangible reason.” Father was using his low tone. He was getting ready tom pounce and Jason kept his distance.

The trainer looked at father and noticed his anger.

“ I don’t mind the child trying to sort out his issues. Even though he failed, it’s part of his training.” Jason’s trainer said.

He was the same person that trained father and all our warriors. The only difference is that he didn’t need to train them to grow their wolves or strength. He just needed to teach them how to grow the power that was already bestowed in them by the moon goddess.

Father looked from Jason to the trainer. He knew it was no use trying to take his anger out on Jason. That would only make matters worse.

“ If you insist Tyler. But we need to make sure that that omega is found and brought back. Which omega was that Jason?”

“It was Maya.” Father’s glare seemed to glare more, if that was possible.

“Training is on hold for today. Let the guards search the boundary and make sure that the omega is found. If she hasn’t reached the borders.” Father instructed.

“If that’s what you want done alpha then there’s no problem with that. I’ll get some guards to search the borders.” Tyler said as he took his weapon and put it back into it’s case. His weapon was a three feet long blade that had no particular shape. It just wasn’t normal. It looked sharp enough to split through stone and even bone.

Tyler took his sword and walked out the training room.

“We’re going to be waiting in the throne room for the report.” Father said and lead the way to the throne room.

I always loved the throne room. It reminded me of all the power and authority I had in the land as the alpha’s daughter. I loved the power. It gave me something to lord over these annoying omegas. They might have just been play toys but they were my subjects none the least. It was necessary to lord my authority over my subjects. No matter what other people thought.

We all sat in the throne room in silence for almost an hour before one of the guards walked in. I was more than relived to see him. I was getting tired of waiting and the silence was deadly and weird.

“We have a report from the search party sir.”

Alpha Asher’s pov

Maya was my mate!

This was the only thought that ran through my mind, even as I went through this hell of a meeting. Cypher has been a constant bug, running through the thin thread of my sanity, leaving me in an uncontrollable frenzy.

It was weird sitting around a conference table with people whose focus was solely on the matter at hand while my thoughts ran in a circle, skirting on likely methods to tame the wild redhead in the packhouse. Of course, I’d give the suggestions of Daniel a trial. I only hope it yields satisfactory results because right now, my patience has started to wear off; like petals of a rose flower, I was losing my resolve at a faster pace than thread by thread.

The meeting ended, and I was out as light; I needed to be somewhere other than that building. Maybe, just maybe, one peek at her lovely face would do the magic.

“Where is she?” I asked Edna as soon as I stepped foot into the packhouse.

“Define her,” Edna retorted, looking pissed as hell. Her mouth was pressed into a firm hard-line, and her eyes held a glimmer of venom that wasn’t there before.

“Maya… where is she?” I questioned again.

“Oh, Maya... She should be in her room, I guess,” she replied nonchalantly.

“The fuck you’re talking about, Edna? I left someone in your care, and you dare guess her whereabouts?” I barked, but Edna didn't flinch. “Just pray nothing happens to her and that she is still within the confines of the pack,'' I howled before storming away aggressively in search of my mate. I got to her supposed room, and to my utter disbelief, she wasn't there. I searched the corners and her bathroom, but she wasn’t inside still. My panic level skyrocketed, and if Cypher was roaring before, he was definitely thundering as I felt the echoes of his groans in my head.

At a much faster pace than before, I hurried to the rooms nearby, but she still wasn’t inside. I mind-linked Daniel and the rest of the guards, informing them to go in search of her while I joined them. To make matters worse, I couldn’t smell her. The more I walked, the more Maya’s scent faded. I groaned internally but continued down the staircase to the living room. At that exact moment, Daniel rushed in.

“Where is Maya?” I asked, rushing to his side like a wife whose husband had just returned from the military after five years.

“Not anywhere outside the guards across the borders had reported not to have seen her.”

“Argh,” I groaned loudly as I felt his words cut through my heart, and pain exploded like a bomb of fire in my head. I ran my hand through my hair while my stomach churned in restlessness. I’d never thrown up before, but I imagined this was the feeling you get before it happened. I took a shaky, calm breath, trying to put myself together before facing everyone.

Vomit be damned, I fucking felt like I would cry. I felt prickling behind my eyes, warning me that I was on the verge of tears. This was the first time I wished I wasn’t the alpha because being alpha meant I couldn’t cry in front of people

“Hey, calm down,” Daniel cooed, patting me on my left shoulder. “It’s all going to be fine. I think she is within. Let’s have a look inside.”

“ I already did, but….” I stopped talking when I caught sight of red curtails at the back of one of the couches.

“But what?” Daniel inquired, but I shunned his question and continued to walk towards the figure. Daniel trailed behind me skeptically.

I felt the air in my windpipe gush out as I took in the view before me. Behind the couch was Maya, curled into a ball, her red hair framed her face. Faint whimpers left her mouth, and her body shook even in her sleep. I again swore by the moon goddess to avenge whoever made her so fragile. I moved closer to her statue and picked her up. Her whimpering got louder, but she didn't open her eyes, and I also didn’t drop her. Daniel made way for us to pass, and I did it gently, carefully so that our movement didn't wake her up.

I took her up to her room, seething like a mad dog. I didn’t want to wake her up, but I couldn’t bear seeing her like that. She somehow stirred on my arms and used her hands to wrap around my neck. She nuzzled her head in the crook of my neck, which somehow slurped every bit of anger I felt. I pulled her closer to me like a second skin. The gesture made her eyes flutter open.

"No, you cannot take me up. I will be punished gravely if they find me upstairs. I'll be forced to walk on burning coal. Drop me," she whimpered and kicked while trying to break away from my hold.

"No one is going to punish you. You are here with me," I said and held her still.

“Asher? Her sweet tiny caramel voice chirped weakly. Her ocean-blue doe eyes opened wider as she took me in.

“Yes, Maya,” I replied.

“Please don’t let them catch me. I don’t want to go back there. They will hurt me.”

“I promise, I won't let them hurt you, baby. Trust me. You are safe with me. They will have to pass through me to get to you."

I got stuck between carrying her to the bed and holding her in my arms. Sure, I have no issue holding her up. She weighs less than a feather, but I needed her to be comfortable. I looked at her again, and she was already fast asleep again. Her neck was slightly bent to fit into my neck, and since I didn't want her waking up with muscular pain, I decided to drop her on the bed.

I couldn't fucking believe she was made to walk on burning coal. I felt rage pulsated through my veins at the mere thought of her walking on burning coals for reasons as trivial as sleeping on a bed. On impulse, I checked her feet, and true to her words, scars from burnt were indeed under her feet

"Goddammit," I groaned between clenched teeth.

I forced myself to take calm breaths, and with no other idea to help myself remain calm, I climbed onto the bed with her and stroked her hair. Once again, she nuzzled into me why I flung my arm around her and pulled her closer to me, allowing her scent and warmth to overshadow my anger. I must have laid there for several hours before finally drifting off into a restless sleep.

When I woke, the realization that Maya wasn't in bed hit me harder than it normally should.

Did she have a bad dream of someone punishing her in bed, and that's why she left?

My mind wandered like that for a bit before I stormed outside and saw her sitting in the living room—opposite Daniel and Edna.

Edna looked serious, almost bored, while Daniel looked like Daniel—flustered and cheerful.

I heaved a sigh

"Hey, Maya," I called sweetly, but she glared at me.

Awe. I felt the love

"What?" She snapped at me, and my wolf sighed, content in hearing our mate's voice.

Where did all the cuteness and body-touching of the early hours of today go?

Bro, it is pathetic, but according to Daniel, if I must yield good results in our relationship, I must learn to travail in patience and tolerance.

I sighed too, and Edna chuckled.

______________

Everything in me was telling me to run after her. To chase her down, make her see my reasons, but I knew that wouldn't work with her. Forcing Maya to do anything would only further push her far away for the opposite reason.

She had been telling me from the beginning that she needed space, so I planned on giving it to her.

First day, second day, and now the third day.

It felt like dying a slow death, but we both needed it—her to think and me to get my shits together.

I walked into the packhouse because I wanted to see her and not because I wanted to talk to my beta and zeta like I claimed—that was my silly excuse to see her one more time for the night.

"You called us," Daniel started when we were all seated on the three-seater couch in the packhouse living room.

"Yeah, I did," I answered bemusedly.

"Why?" Edna flared. For reasons unknown to me, she's been acting weird lately. Always on the tip of her tolerance if you ask me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my words disappeared in my throat when Maya suddenly appeared out of nowhere, looking fresh and clean. Her thin flawless legs were left on display, and so also was her belly button. She was wearing a sporty nude color with green striped Nike shorts and a matching crop tank top.

The urge to run my tongue across her belly button was overwhelming. I became speechless as I watched her form. I swallowed and swallowed until there was no more saliva in my mouth. I wanted to hold her in my arms, but I refrained from touching her. Hell, my look was subtle because I didn't want to be caught or to come off as too strong. I struggled to keep my face neutral, but that didn't stop her from eyeing me curiously. Or maybe the rising dough in-between my legs was what made her hesitant.

"When you're down gawking at her and ready to talk, you can call me. I'm off," said Edna irritably, stood up, and began to walk her quarters.

I cleared my throat, and that made her stop. "I was about to send for Maya because what I have to say concerns her, but since she's here, I'll go ahead " my words captured Maya's attention, and she turned to look at me.

"What did I do this time?" She snarled.

"I think the right question is what am I about to do this time," I said, emphasizing the last eight words of my sentence.

"I don't understand," Maya replied, looking at me as though she was searching for something in my eyes.

"Neither do I," Daniel chirped in, looking truly confused for the first time since I had known him.

There's always a first time for everything

"I'm allowing Maya to leave," I said, and everywhere turned serene. Not even the sound of our heartbeat was heard.

"You might have to say that again. I don't think I heard you clearly the first time," Daniel said and shifted on his seat as though something suddenly stung him in his butts.

"Since Maya came into the royal pack, her greatest wish hadn't wavered—her desire to leave had been so strong. And now, I'm granting her wish. " I turned to Maya and said, "you can let me know when you want to leave or not, but I want you to be safe, so I'd appreciate it if you let me know when you'd leave. And if it doesn't seem like crowding your space, I spoke to some of our allied packs, and they agreed to let you come live with them. I want you to be safe—they are allies, so you should be safe" I finished my spiel, and they all looked astonished, especially Maya. Litany of other emotions danced across her face, but I couldn't quite decipher what it was.

"Asher!" Daniel's voice cut through in anger making everyone but myself and Edna flinch. "This wasn't what we agreed on," he further seethed.

"I know. But anything else, I want Maya to be happy. I'll be a dick of an Alpha and a mate if I make her wither instead of making her glow and grow," I said, and a snicker from Edna greeted us all.

"Oops, sorry. It's just funny. Since when did you become a poet? WTF, Ash?" Another snicker erupted from Edna's mouth, but she did quick work to end it.

"Can you guys please leave us alone?" Maya's little voice suddenly sounded heavy with authority and need? "Can we talk, please?" She asked quietly after Edna and Daniel left.