Alpha Asher's pov

Maya didn't look as happy as I expected her to be. Right from the first day she stepped foot into our pack as a rogue, her only greatest desire that she had made known to us repeatedly; even until It became her walking siren, like a reminder to us all and most especially to me, was the fact that she hated being my mate and wanted to "explore the world while belonging to no one" as she put it, living the way she wants. I thought taking Daniel's idea would help build a relationship with Maya, no matter how long it takes but she had this wall so strong around her and I feared not even I could bring it down or gain her trust. So I decided to do what I believed was right, I believed it was best to let her go and let her live her life to the fullest, she insisted she wanted it instead of letting me keep her in my pack. If I forced her, it would make it seem like I was caging her since she didn't want to stay... The other best option was to let her go.

Funny thing was that I still understood her, even though I had known her for quite a short time. I understood her to want to belong to no one, her desire to go wherever she wanted because growing up in a monastery made me understand and gave me the ability to relate to half of what she had gone through; the pain, the torture, the hatred for the moon goddess and her parents that abandoned her for no reason only to make her suffer. So I was going to let her go if that's what she so much wants for herself because I wouldn't want to be a part of the people she hates forever. Even though deep down, I wanted to feel that feeling called love and be loved by someone too.

Once Edna and Daniel left, I met her eyes with my gaze and I was surprised to see the fear and plea in hers. She was silently begging me not to let her leave because her pride wouldn't let her speak, "I'm not ready to leave" she said with an empty voice, trying to sound tough but I still caught her eyes before she got rid of any sign of emotion that was there. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair, this was a hard nut to crack; a tough case to solve. "You said you want to be free so that's what I'm doing for you Maya, letting you go" I replied and she looked at me angrily but her eyes were shaky like she was panicking.

"So you'll just let me go? After saving me? After making me believe that there may be kind people in this life?" She yelled with her voice sounding like she was close to tears.

"That's not why I'm letting you go, Maya…" I tried explaining to her but then she interrupted, her voice filled with anger "fuck you, Asher if no one's ever told you I'm going to say it to your stupid face! You are a shitty Alpha, Alphas don't run from problems, they don't shift responsibilities. Instead, they tackle it themselves but look at you, you want to let me go because I refuse to be your mate. After all, I refuse to belong to you. Well, news flash Alpha fucking Asher, that's what happens to someone who's been traumatized and tortured her whole life, I face reality and see things for what they are because life has never been a bed of roses for me so don't expect me to open up to you at once like you're some knight in shiny armor. Anyone can be a villain" she stopped and took a long breath but I was even too stunned to speak, I just sat there staring at this woman that had just put me in my place. People hardly put me in my place in this pack because not to brag but most times I'm right so not even Edna or Daniel put me in my place except they believed it was necessary and that hadn't happened in a long time now.

Then I understood why the moon goddess chose her for me, I thought Edna was something else but Maya was more than that… she was was feisty and I could see the fire in her eyes from her burning rage… she feared no one "you see this" she added gesturing between the two of us "it can't work, we can't work so I guess rejecting you had bruised your ego and now you want to let me back out there into those dens you call packs" she finished and slowly stood up, her eyes still on mine till she was now standing above me "it was nice meeting you Alpha Asher, I'll leave your pack now. You should pay me for those clues I gave you too" she spat every word at me with venom and stormed out heading towards her room.

I didn't know what to do, I just sat there looking dumbfounded after Maya had just given me the lecture of my life. I was even more confused and didn't understand it all. Was I meant to keep on trying with her until she opened up to me? Was telling her she had a choice to leave for another better pack a mistake on my part? That was what she wanted though. I groaned and threw my head back to ease the incoming headache but it wasn't helping. This was serious, far more than I thought it was. Maya was strong-willed, stubborn, and held her pride dear to herself; even after all she had gone through in her former pack. So I knew nothing else would make her waver, this was little compared to what she had experienced all her life. Suddenly Cypher started getting agitated in my head and I

I got the message immediately.

What Maya needed was someone that would try and place him or herself in her situation and see eye to eye with her… understand why suddenly changing packs was making her lose her temper. She needed someone to calm her down and probably change her mind about leaving. I only brought the option for her to leave but considering where she was coming from, she took it like I was asking her to leave and I realized I shouldn't have done that. Cypher nudged me on to quickly do something, I sighed before standing up to find Maya wherever she went to.

I searched everywhere I suspected she would be but didn't find her but I wasn't going to give up though, I stopped for a while to think then it occurred to me that I didn't check her room. I quickly raced there and knocked on her door before stepping in. Everything was everywhere… in disarray and she was packing the things we bought for her during her stay into a bag aggressively, it was obvious that she was still furious. "Go away," she said in a low voice and sniffed before she quickly wiped her eyes. I was behind her but I saw it, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

I shrugged and stepped forward while she still shoved clothes into the bag "I can't, not while you're still mad at me" I replied and she froze before she turned and faced me. Streaks of tears were evident on her face and her eyes were puffy already "I said… go away!" She repeated more firmly this time "you don't have to go, Maya, I won't force you to leave, this place is also your home too" I said and she grabbed a pillow then flung it at me "leave me alone Asher, just get out" she screamed this time and threw the other pillows on the bed at me one after the other. I quickly went closer to her and held her hands gently to calm her down but she struggled with every strength and lord knew she was really strong, even for me the king Alpha. I pulled her closer and hugged her hoping this would help calm her down then I caught a wisp of her scent and I couldn't help but drag it in… It was intoxicating and calming. She felt tiny and rather fragile in my arms even though she was still trying to fight me off her.

I realized I was enjoying this because it was better than the awkward way she always caught me gawking or staring at her whenever I got distracted or entranced by her. It was better than the times she just stared at me blankly and never gave any reaction to whatever I said to her… it always made me feel like a fool, being the one she chose to always ignore. I felt I'd rather squabble with her all the time than have no relationship with her, seeing her angry was also a display of emotion and it was better than nothing. I smiled and nuzzled my face in between her neck and shoulder "you don't have to leave if you don't want to" I whispered trying to soothe her. Instead, she shoved me off her with a hard push and it sent me only a few feet back "don't you dare touch me again" she warned and grabbed her bag filled with her things then flung it at me. I quickly caught it and growled before pushing her against the wall.

If she didn't want it the gentle way then I was going to go rough her. It was Cypher that was controlling me now, my wolf eyes now showing and staring hard at her with an intensity that she shivered and looked away from my eyes "so you think you've got the temper?" I roared but she didn't reply. I grabbed her face by the chin then forced her to look up at me. At that moment, the air shifted between us. The room wasn't hot but I felt hot, Maya's eyes were wide and my gaze moved to her lips… they were apart too and she was breathing hard just like I was. I suddenly felt the urge to kiss her, to mark her and make her mine. "Maya" I growled as my gaze remained on her lips, I was trying to control myself but her scent and wet lips were messing with my head.

"Someone is losing himself uh?" She teased and smirked and that almost broke the last straw for Cypher but I quickly held him back, "don't tempt me, Maya, cause you don't wanna know what I'm thinking and all the things I could do you right now, right here" I snarled, our faces now few inches away from each other and I heard the tiny gasp that escaped her mouth. It was my turn to smirk because I knew she could feel it too… this tension between us, in this proximity "now who is losing herself?" I teased back and she scowled at me. I couldn't help but laugh as I released my hold on her and stepped back, that was the cutest I had ever seen her and it was something I wouldn't mind seeing every day.

I knew she was expecting something to happen between us but I wasn't going to do that. She deserved more and I believed in falling in love and getting to know someone before getting intimate, so I was going to gain Maya's trust and love before we did anything. I read her report after she was scanned at the hospital when she got to our pack and knew she was raped and I was aware of how traumatizing it would be for her mentally. I still wanted her and I was going to make her realize she was worth more than that, I was going to give her the life and love she deserved.

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 needed 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 me 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 sitting 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 these 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 doorway, 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 still catch up.” 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 past 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 in 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 it's 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 went 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.” Jason 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 bulge 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 to 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 relieved 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.”

Maya’s pov

There are two reasons why I don't like the whole mating and marking idea.

First, is the strong pull you feel towards the other Person and two is the underlying concept of submission. Completely giving myself and trusting in someone scared me more than I let on. I’ve been broken before. The truth is I’m scared of being broken again.

Adrenaline was coursing through my veins as I took a few hesitant steps toward Asher. The fact that he had taken a shower before coming to the dining room didn't help either. He smelled fresh and clean. Immediately, his scent overcame my senses and I breathed in sharply to take it in all. It was husky and somewhat strong yet sweet and sharp in a delicious way and the abundance of it made my knees grow weak.

My gaze fell on his huge figure and I couldn’t help but travel a little back in time. The feel of his body pressed against mine…

I swear this man is pure lava. He wore a white t-shirt that contrasted to his skin color and hugged every muscle in his upper body. The sleeve firmly captured his arms muscles and his veins popped with every movement he made. His sweatpants were grey and tight, showing his powerful legs and figures, not to mention his pants hung dangerously low on his buttock bride which sent a ripple of foreign emotion through my veins. He was hot in the Christian grey kind of way with stubbles and crew cut jet black hair.

“May I?” he asked, pointing to the variety of dishes on the dining table. Edna had insisted on going all out. There were eggs, bacon, waffles, toast, sandwiches, pancakes, milk, cream, Nutella, banana, and some strawberries.

“Yes,” I breathed out, my voice coming out barely above a whisper.

“Thank you,'' he muffled before filling his plate with pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs and when I thought he was done stuffing his plate, he grabbed the Nutella bar and strawberry bowl and pulled them to his front.

“That’s a lot” I gently scolded him.

“I know right? A man has got to eat to keep fit” he replied without tearing his gaze off from his plate while I stared in awe. He did this thing where he dipped a strawberry inside the Nutella bar then whipped cream and flipped his tongue, sucked, bit, and chewed that one act sent by heart beating a thousand times in a second. It was insanely hot.

A gasp left my mouth but I quickly covered it with a fake cough. He smirked. The fucking bastard smirked. Maybe, just maybe he was doing it on purpose to see my reaction. Well, if he wants to play games, I’d very much indulge him.

“you haven’t touched your food since I got here. Are you not hungry or is my presence a bother to you?” he asked. His raspy voice brought a blush to my face since he was the only one that had ever bothered to ask about my appetite. The truth is, I’ve mastered eating just a little, regardless of the quantity or variety of food I was served, courtesy of my former. Back there, we were only allowed to feed once a day and that was only in the afternoon. Most times, we eat half of whatever we are served and leave the rest for the evening…breakfast is the most important meal of the day, they say but was never applicable to us. The only slaves’ opportune to eat breakfast were the ones that did the morning dishes, whatever scrub remained was officially thetes, but of course, you would pray to not get caught.

“I’m not hungry, “ I simply replied. He looked like he wanted to press further but for some reason, his words never came out. He only shrugged and continued to savor his food.

Suddenly he growled slightly before dropping his cutleries on the table. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked. “What is wrong?” I questioned, teeth tugging on my bottom lips.

Only he did not answer me, which hurts because I had expected him to. Asher wordlessly stormed past me, a look of pure fury clouding his gaze. If I hadn’t known better I would have faulted his change of attitude to myself I knew better. This was Alpha fucking Asher. My psyche lord.

Approaching heavy footsteps made me lookup. It was Edna running down the stairs like the roof was on fire. I instantly stood up. “what is going on?” I asked but neither fuming Asher nor worried-looking Edna answered me. “I’m talking to you fuckers…fucking answer me” I snarled but that was all it was to them…an empty snarl.

“under no fucking condition should you leave her side, I’ll go over and see things for myself,” Asher said hurriedly, before walking to the door. He stopped a few steps away from the exit and walked_jogged back to me. I never imagined what he did next. He bent down to my head level and planted a slippery lingering peck on my forehead. Without giving me time to comprehend what he had just done, he picked my hands from my side and gave them a small but firm squeeze. “Please, for this one time don’t be stubborn and do what I say okay?” he whispered.

I nodded in affirmation and he was gone like he was never here.

“What the hell is going on?” I turned to face Edna.

“nothing much … just some baseless rumors hovering around town” she answered

I laughed. I laughed so hard that I doubled over.

“That’s the shit of an excuse, is what you can come up with? And you expect me to buy it? Really, Edna?” I inquired, all previous traces of humor gone from my face.

“No I expected you to chew on it” she replied with the same words I used on her in our previous encounter and I scowled “That face of yours won’t work on me young wolf. So I advise you to sit your ass down and chill. Ten minutes of awkward silence passed between us and it felt like ages since Asher left. I tried so many times to mind link him but it just wouldn’t connect.

“gosh! This is so fucking frustrating. I want to…” Edna cut me off after she must have read my mind.

Edna shook her head “mm..mm you aren’t allowed to leave my sight”

“Who said anything about leaving your side?” I asked and Edna arched a brow questioningly. “we could go together. Asher never said anything about not leaving the packhouse after all…and I will be stuck with you all the time”

Edna shrugged then offered a smile, undoubtedly pleased with my idea... “What do you say to shopping then right after Starbucks or Mcdonald’s?” she asked sweetly.

“uh, I know what shopping is but I don’t know what you mean by Starbucks and Mcdonald’s. isn’t that supposed to be a name or a place?”

Her eyes widened in shock. Edna laughed but there was nothing malicious or condescending in the sound. “That's insane! You mean you’ve never eaten at Starbucks or Mcdonald’s? she asked, surprised.

“so, it’s a place I wasn’t entirely wrong” I chuckled but I stopped when something snapped in my brain. “Are you by any chance referring to the place where those insanely nice pizzas, fries, doughnuts, and chicken nuggets are sold?”

“Yeah,” she grimaced. “So you've been there?”

“nope” I replied popping the p

“Okay, but you’ve eaten their products?”

“It depends on your definition of eaten”

“What do you mean?”

“uh…” I restricted from speaking for a while but the look on Edna’s face assured me to continue.” Jason and Mellisa often come back home with these fancy leather bags and other times paper bags and disposable plastic cups with the inscription Mcdonald’s written on some and Starbucks written on some. And I also usually hear Jason give orders to his drivers to get coffee from Starbucks… and yeah, I might have taken a little taste from their numerous leftovers" I answered nonchalantly but truthfully.

"You mean you never owned a full box of McDonald's treasure?" Edna asked, still surprised.

"Does the leftover bags count?"

Edna rolled her eyes."Fuck! How exactly were you treated in your former pack?"

"Worse than the archangel Micheal treated satan"

"What's that?"

"Never mind".

" Go change your clothes, we are going out".

"Right on it, mama bear" I answered with a giggle and jogged my way up to my bedroom. My initial thought of worry and panic over Asher's whereabouts were suddenly gone and replaced with ecstasy.

In a few minutes, I find myself in the passenger seat of Edna's car. A sleek Burgundy convertible. I've always loved the feeling of the wind slapping my face. I prop up on the passenger seat, switching between carelessly throwing my hands up in the air and sticking my head out.

We had not told anyone that we left and so far, it seemed nobody had noticed that we were gone. I still wondered what it was that Asher had to attend to with so much alacrity. As we ventured further and further away from the confines of the royal pack, I felt a strain on my stomach that was churning on me to go back.

At first, the feeling was mild, but it soon grew and consumed my thoughts and body. Everything in my body was screaming for me to go back to the territory but I ignored the feeling and continued to bask in the glory of my first in a long while trip.

Edna, who had been singing to the song yummy by Justin Bieber, suddenly stopped mid-verse.

The abruptness caught my attention and I turned in her direction. "What is it?" I gingerly asked.

It took a while before her response came. "Asher just mind-linked me. He is back at the packhouse and aware that we are gone. He wants us to come back to the pack right this minute. He said it is dangerous for you to be out"

"Well thank God everything has to do with me. Tell him I'm fine and that I can take care of myself" I replied. Somehow the previous words of Asher to me came playing in my head but I pushed them away from my head.

please, for this one time don’t be stubborn and do what I say okay?

Edna glanced around at all of the surrounding trees and bushes as we cruised on the winding rural road. "Maybe we should head back and have one of the guards get it for us. Earlier a report came from our spies that your whereabouts have been known by the blood moon pack….." Suddenly Edna's eyes numbed and her eyes clenched shut, grasping a fistful of her hair, she groaned out loud and cussed. I've never seen a thing like this before.

"Edna, what is happening to you?" I questioned frantically. The car was already zigzagging and I had no idea how to control the steering. Edna was still seated in the driver's seat.

"Please make this stop," I said to no one in particular.

Edna eventually stopped writhing and squirming awfully.

"What was that all about?" I asked when she was a bit calmer.

"A taste of what the Alpha has in store for me" she gasped out in agony.

Immediately guilt washed over me like a tidal wave and I thought of a way to swerve us away from the mess I created. "let us go back.."

Edna was turning before the words were out of my mouth, the same time, a truck was coming from our back. "Watch out" I yelled but it was too late. I cursed and let my reflexes take over. The sound of tires screeching and metal crunching filled my ears until subsequently when the world blurred out from my vision.

Everything went black as commotion followed. The car flipped over and stopped in its back —Edna and I dangling from our seat belts. My vision blurred but I could hear Edna's faint voice calling to me. I could neither respond nor move.

Suddenly, a furious raging roar surged from the woods nearby and my collapsing body jerked from recognition before everything finally turned black and tranquil.