Chapter 13

Celine was locked inside Asher’s bedroom after the brief tour and although she was still wearing the leather corset and platform heels, she slowly sat on the plush carpeting. She knew it well but hearing the resounding lock in the door reminded her that she was just a glorified prisoner. *She was trapped here and no amount of pretty clothes could change that.*

She had been generous while picking out new clothes on Asher’s tab but they weren’t really for free,* were they?* Mafia King Asher was definitely going to demand payment in kind when he returned.

Celine took off her shoes and decided to take a shower, hoping that it would ease some of her anxiety but all it did was make her hyper-focus even more on it. She was grateful to have something to wear other than leather, hating the texture of it against her skin.

She wore pretty pink shorts and a little top, deciding that she was going to force herself to take a nap instead of overthinking herself into an early grave. If Asher returned at the same time as he did the night before, she would have enough time to be properly dressed and ready to face him.

She woke up to an unfamiliar warmth, she was half-asleep still so she was more honest to her feelings, leaning into the warmth. She was completely touch-starved, so she was practically nuzzling Asher’s hand without realizing.

Asher had returned early because he has been invited to an event hosted by a powerful family under his protection. He had seen the Omega curled up on his bed and did a double take, he had almost forgotten about his newest possession.

Unlike the clothes she wore in the morning, the little pink clothes she had on as she slept suited her more and it further alienated her from the life he led. He reached out to brush her hair out of her face to see her better, pausing when she leaned into his touch, her face peaceful.

*Did he really want to drag her into the dangerous way he lived?*

Celine’s crystal blue eyes flipped open and his thoughts about letting her go flew out the ceiling-high windows, a smile on his face as he leaned forward.

“Sleep well?”

Celine had to take a moment to answer, her heart had nearly stopped functioning when she woke up to find Mafia King Asher right at her bedside. She could only manage a small nod, apprehension in her eyes when he didn’t take his hand from her face.

*Was she going to be required to compensate him now? Why was he even back so early?*

Asher brushed his thumb over the Omega’s bottom lip, chuckling at the panic in her eyes. “Get dressed, we’re attending an event.” He said, walking off.

Celine needed a few moments to put herself together, Alpha Asher’s presence was completely overwhelming. He had said they were attending an event, but she was just a bought Omega, *why was he taking her?*

She got out of bed without protest although she had a lot of those, slowly tip-toeing past Asher to the walk-in closet so she could pick out an outfit. She avoided looking at him as best as she could so she didn’t notice the amused expression on his face, flinching when he smacked her ass.

“We’re already late,” He said lightly, a stark contrast to his handprint on her backside.

That sent Celine dashing into the walk-in closet, leaning against the door like it could keep Asher out if he really wanted to get in. Her heart beat fast, and she had to close her eyes for a few seconds to pull herself together.

She quickly got busy dressing, making sure to dress in the closet because she was very frightened of the Mafia King in the bedroom. And she was also frightened of her reaction to him, so her best bet was to keep as much distance as possible between them.

Fortunately, the closet held everything she needed and she stepped out some minutes later in a little white dress, the ropes on the matching white heels she wore going up her shins. She paused for a moment when she didn’t see Asher in the bedroom, carefully stepping out of the closet.

She wondered if he had given up on her and gone to the event all alone. As much as she would rather not go to the event, she could only think of the possible punishment that would follow if that was the case.

She only took a few steps into the bedroom, when she was pulled backward against a hard chest, her heart in her mouth…

“Hiding from me?” Asher’s voice beside her ear sent shivers down her back.

She was saved from responding by the knock on the door, Asher’s arm around her waist, the other over her shoulders. He made no move to let her go when the door opened to reveal Jael who didn’t bother to hide the suspicion in his eyes as he looked at her.

“We’ve got to get moving, Boss.” The Beta stood outside the door as he spoke.

Celine burned bright red when Asher’s ringed fingers slipped underneath her pearl necklace to wrap around her neck, biting her lips to hold back the sound that nearly spilled out when his nose brushed her scent gland.

It was a miracle that she remained standing when he finally stepped away, his hand never leaving her waist as they left after Jael. She had to lean on him for a moment, grateful when the heat drained from her face before they left the privacy of the hallway that led to Asher’s bedroom.

Celine always knew that she would be Noah’s mate even though the Pack weren’t pleased by the arrangement so she had stayed out of relationships until they got mated just for her to be completely tossed to the side. So her fear of Asher was completely warranted and he had given her enough reasons to fuel that terror.

She knew it was only a matter of time before he made a move, and she wouldn’t be able to turn him down.