Love consumed her in flames but she emerged untouched
Chapter 0119

Chapter 0119

I could see Asher struggling and I feel so bad for even asking now. For even encouraging this sortof talk. This was all my fault. I didn't like seeing him hurting. I know I had said some choice thingsabout him when I had arrived, but I truly hated seeing him struggle like this. He didn't deserve to bein pain, I was sure of that...

I slid myself along the sofa, noticing his eyes were closed as he breathed heavily like he was tryingto compose himself. Maybe I should leave? Give him some space? He seemed like the sort of guywho needed his space... Yet, instinct had me reaching for his hand instead.

The touch seemed to make him jump, as he instantly opened his eyes to look at me in shock. Hisbig green eyes were looking at me with confusion. “Sorry.” I muttered, going to move my hand, butinstead his fingers gripped mine, as his eyes fell upon our hands. “Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.” Iwhispered.

“No, I understand.” He said, exhaling deeply. “I don’t talk much about it all. It is not easy as you canimagine. I lost Isla soon after we had met. Before being able to build a life together. But, the bondwas already there, forming. And we had just moved into our new home together. Both so excited atthe thought of what the future would bring for us. I couldn’t go back once she had gone. It wasalways going to be our home. The home we planned our future in. So, I moved back here…”

I felt the pain within his voice, and I can sense Akira whimpering within my mind at the suffering thisman next to us must have gone through. I thought what I had gone through was bad, but this poorguy had lost the one he was destined to be with. The one he had thought would be by his side forthe rest of his life. The one he had been waiting for. The one the moon goddess chose for him. Hemust have been heartbroken. There was no worse pain, I would imagine. My own heart clenched inpain for him. In truth, I desperately wanted to throw my arms around him and hug him, but hedoesn't seem like the kind of guy who would appreciate a hug...

The darkness that lingered over him made so much more sense to me now. The pain he must battledaily if this was what he struggled with, must drag him down. Dim any joy within him. Grief can beoverpowering…

“I am sorry you had to go through that, Asher.” I said faintly. “You have done amazing to continuebeing such a wonderful Beta. Your pack is lucky to have you.”

He laughed, a dry and almost ironic sort of laugh, causing me to look up at him. “I think my Alphaand Luna may beg to differ on that opinion sometimes.” He told me with a wry smile. “I think I amslowly driving them insane.”

“Hey, with all the favors it sounds like you do for them, I don’t think they can complain much.” I toldhim, and he grins.

“Finally! Someone who sees it from my point of view!”

I laughed. “I am sure they appreciate all you do. You will get your chance to gain all your favorsback one day. Seems to me, they definitely owe you some.”

“Hmm, that would be a whole lot. Caleb may not be quite so agreeable, and don’t even get mestarted on Eden. You think the Alpha runs the show? In truth, it is our little Lady Luna.”

“She knows you call her that?” I asked him, replaceing it funny, and I could tell just from the way hespoke of them that they were all quite close.

“Hell no, nor would I want her to! She would whoop my ass if she knew for a second I called heranything other than her name. Especially right now. Pregnancy hormones and Eden do not mix.” Hegrinned at me.

“I will be sure to tell her then.” I teased him, and the way he looked at me feigning shock, made megiggle.

“Aww, now come on, Bailey. Surely you wouldn’t want to get me into trouble, would you? I amsharing my chocolate stash with you, after all. Doesn’t that make us friends now?” he questioned.And I found myself looking at him with a feeling of confusion filling my head. I definitely didn't expectthat when I arrived...

“Yeah, I guess it does…”

“Wow, that look upon your face tells me the thought of being friends with me is far from a goodthing.” He said with a shrug.

“Huh?”

“The deep frown.” He signals to my face, over-exaggerating a frown upon his own face, making mestick my tongue out at him, aware he was teasing me.

“I didn’t frown. Or not intentionally.” I explained.

“Don’t think I could blame you. Not like I have been the best at making an impression upon yousince you arrived.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were trying to make an impression on me.” I teased.

His eyes met mine, and the way he looked at me made my stomach churn. Or was that butterflies?“Neither did I.” he grinned, making me laugh again.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring from by my side, causing me to pick it up out of curiosity,wondering who it would be. But, I didn’t recognize the number. So, I thought I had better answer it.What if it was someone at pack?

“Hello?” I answered, smiling politely at Asher to apologize for the disturbance, but, he simply smiledin response, as he picked up his soda, and leaned back into the sofa.

“So, thought you’d got away from me, did you?” a voice I thought I had got away from hissed downthe phone at me. And my hands began to tremble. “I may be away from pack for now bitch, but I willbe back, and when I am, I will make you pay for the shit you have caused Bailey. Mark my words.Difference will be, I will have a new mate by my side, and you will be all alone.” Miles’s voicesnarled at me, as tears filled my eyes, while I saw the eyes of Asher looking at me with a look Iwasn’t able to read…