Chapter 7

Chapter 7
Kaeleigh’s POV

I woke up on Asher’s chest with his arms around me. I just laid there not moving, feeling the sparks run between us, fully aware that we were both naked. I could tell he was already awake. His hand was idly stroking my hair and every couple of minutes, he would kiss the top of my head. 

I thought back to last night where I had offered my throat to him to claim, and yet he still didn’t. He said it wasn’t time. I was confused. If he really was my second chance, then surely I shouldn’t still hurt for Chase. Or maybe I always would. Maybe that was how it worked. Could I love Asher? Sometimes I wasn’t so sure. But then other times, like right now, when we were laid here together, and the sparks tingled along my body. It was times like this that I could see a future where Asher and I were mates.

Asher’s hand began to slowly trail down my back, and I shivered at the feel. I lifted my head to see him smiling at me.

“Morning sweetheart,” he leaned towards me and I met him halfway into a brief kiss. His eyes sparkled, and the copper flecks seemed brighter. I smiled back and stroked his face. He nuzzled into my hand, kissing it. 

“Don’t think I didn’t notice that you broke the rules,” I said, raising one eyebrow.

“Well, to be fair, sweetheart, you were naked first.” He then grinned with a mischievous twinkle. He grabbed my hips with both hands and lifted me so I was laid fully on top of him. I was completely aware that he was happy I was there, as his member was very much to attention between us.

“It would have been rude to overdress.” He grabbed my hair and pulled me down for another deeper kiss, and I couldn’t help but moan into his mouth as his other hand gripped my ass. He hooked his feet between my ankles and pushed them apart until my legs opened and I ended up straddling him. The feel of him between my legs caused my breathing to become shallow, and I broke the kiss to try to move away. Asher growled and his grip on me got tighter and he rolled us over so he was on top. 

“Asher!” I exclaimed, very aware that the room was filling with the scent of my arousal, and he pushed his pelvis against me. I squirmed involuntarily at the feel of him so close to my entrance, and he responded with another growl.

“Oh yes, move for me sweetheart,” he purred as he buried his head in my neck “You don’t know how much I want to be inside you right now, how much I want you to ride me until your juices spill all over my dick and you scream my name in ecstasy.” I panted as he whispered the dirty promises in my ear and continued to rub his hard member against me. I was so full of need for him and I couldn’t stand the tension anymore. 

“Asher please,” I begged, and I bucked my hips against him, causing him to groan. His hand reached down to line himself up against my-

“Good morning, beautiful.” My bedroom door flew open and Adam walked in. “Don’t tell me you’re still in- oh, oops! Was I interrupting something?” Asher growled but rolled off of me and I groaned at the intrusion and glared at Adam, who was standing at the end of the bed grinning. His face was slightly flushed, like he had been running. 

“Seriously Adam!” I snapped. “Feel free to leave.” But Asher sighed.

“It doesn’t matter sweetheart, I’m actually late for a meeting with my dad, anyway.” He leaned over and kissed me once more before climbing out of bed and grabbing his pants from the floor. I watched as he walked, still naked, past Adam. They stared at each other and I couldn’t see Asher’s face, but Adam’s eyes glazed over briefly before he grinned again, like he was proud of himself. Asher stormed to the door and slammed it on his way out. 

I glanced at the door and then back at Adam, who was still looking impressed with himself. 

“Ever thought about a career as a cock blocker?” I growled at him as I pulled myself out of bed. I was now in need of a shower, a really cold one. Adam immediately turned as I got out of bed and I rolled my eyes.

“Oh yeah, we have decency now, do we?” I muttered to myself as I walked to the bathroom. Just before I slammed the door shut, I heard Adam grumble.

“You’ll thank me later.” What the hell did that mean? I huffed as I climbed into the shower and set it too cold to cool myself down.

When I finished in the shower, I pulled a towel around myself and headed to get dressed. I noticed on my way to the dressing room that Dayna and Cade were sitting on the sofa with Adam. Dayna smiled weakly at me and Cade waved.

“I brought breakfast, love,” he said. “Since you were otherwise occupied.” I nodded before ducking into the dressing room to pull some clothes on, thinking thank the goddess, as I was starving. I rushed out to find the coffee table full of different breads and cereals. I grabbed a muffin as I sat on the sofa. I looked at Dayna, who looked like crap.

“Did you get any sleep at all?” I asked, and she smiled again. She went to speak, but Adam interrupted.

“She had another episode this morning.” Dayna shrank into the sofa.

“Oh!” I glanced at her. “Are you feeling better now?” and she nodded.

“Just tired, but I’ll be fine,” I jumped up and grabbed a blanket and passed it to her.

“Get some rest.” Adam took it from me and started arranging it over her. He seemed to have taken a liking to Dayna and looked at her with care as he tucked her into the corner of the sofa. It wasn’t long before Dayna was asleep. 

“So,” Adam said after a while, “You seem to be getting cosy with Asher,” he seemed to say it as an accusation more than anything.

“Well yeah, that was the agreement,” I shrugged, and he stared at me.

“Just be careful, okay?” He said, “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Why would I get hurt?” 

“Asher isn’t exactly a nice guy,” he said. 

“Adam,” Cade growled at him and Adam glanced his way. I looked between them both.

“I know he’s not exactly a saint, but he has some good qualities,” I said, and Adam scoffed. “Besides, if the moon goddess thinks we are a good match then-” 

“Wait! Moon goddess?” Adam exclaimed. “What does she have to do with it?” I suddenly felt uncomfortable, like it should be easy to say, but for some reason, I found it hard to get the next words out.

“Well,” I said as both of the guys watched me. “We might be second chance mates.” I smiled weakly, but Adam glared.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he growled.

“Adam!” Cade snapped, and I looked at him. He was looking uncomfortable, but then Adam was bad-mouthing his Alpha, so I understood him not being too pleased.

“What, you think this is ok?” Adam shot back, and they glared at each other.

“I don’t get your problem, Adam,” I said. “Surely this is a good thing. We are going to be bonded, anyway.” Adam gave me a pained look.

“Kae, sometimes we can’t trust our feelings,” he said softly, “and emotions can get messed up.” I had the feeling that he was being condescending and was losing my temper.

“I assure you, Adam,” I snapped, “I know what the mate bond feels like. You’d know if you felt it.”

“What makes you think I haven’t?” he retorted, and I looked at him in shock. He never mentioned a mate, not that I could remember.

“You have a fated mate?” I asked softly and pain filled his expression. “Who is she?”

“Leave it Kaeleigh,” he growled, and I looked at Dayna’s sleeping form.

“Wait, is Dayna your…?” I asked, and Adam laughed. 

“No beautiful” he said “Dayna isn’t MY mate,” he really emphasised the “my” 

“Adam, stop!” Cade commanded, and Adam glared at him.

He jumped up. 

“I need some air,” he muttered before storming out of the room. I watched as he went and then looked back at Cade, who smiled weakly. 

“The subject of mates can be a touchy one, love,” he said. “Don’t take it to heart.” He moved to sit next to me. “I think it’s a good thing you and Ash are connecting. It’ll make things easier for you.” And I smiled. 

“Do you have a mate, Cade?” I asked, and I realised we had never really spoken about him. I knew he was Beta because he and Asher had been friends since childhood. And that Cade’s family mostly lived in Northern Ireland, although he wasn’t in contact after his father had been exiled from their pack. I never found out why, and didn’t think it was appropriate to ask. 

“That’s another complicated one,” he said. He glanced around as if expecting someone to be sneaking a listen before lowering his voice. “I do have a mate, fully bonded for a good four years now, but it’s complicated and we found out too late that it wouldn’t work.”

“Why not?” I asked 

“Ah, that’s another story for another time, but it’s not common knowledge and we prefer it that way,” he said with sadness filling his eyes. “That’s why I chose this.” and he rubbed his heavily tattooed neck. 

“You’re hiding your mark?” I asked in disbelief.

“Aye love,” he said. “I see how people use certain knowledge to control people around here, and I’m not up for putting my Zee in that kind of danger.” There was an anger under the sadness, and a fierce need to protect. 

“Do you still see her?” I was intrigued by this forbidden romance, who needed TV when you had so much drama in your own life.

“Aye, we have ways to communicate and we meet up every couple of months when it’s safe.” 

“What is she like?” and he smiled. I could tell he was thinking of her just by the way his face softened. He went to speak when he stopped suddenly. His eyes glazed over and I sat and waited while he had his silent communication. His eyes cleared after a few minutes and he grimaced.

“Sorry, love, gotta go,” he stood up. “Ash’s meeting didn’t go well with his dad. Got me an Alpha to calm down.” 

“Okay” I smiled.

“Kaeleigh,” Cade started to leave, but stopped and turned back to me. I looked at him expectantly. “Just so you know, he can be a good man. I’ve seen it. Maybe he just needs a good woman to show him the way.” He didn’t wait for a response before turning again and heading out of the room, leaving me with a still sleeping Dayna and a lot of conflicting thoughts.