Chapter 53 Chapter 53
Chapter 53 Chapter 53
Asher’s POV
I stood in front of the guest house, my fists clenched at my sides. I needed to talk to Zara. There had to be a way to fix this—some way to stop her from taking my child away from me.
I knocked. The door swung open instantly, but to my surprise, no one was there. A chill crept down my spine, but I stepped inside anyway.
“Zara?” I called into the dimly lit space. The room was pitch black. “Are you in here?”
Just then, the lights snapped on. She was lounging on the couch, a smug smirk curving her lips like she’d been expecting me all along.
“Why are you here, Alpha?” she asked, rising slowly to her feet, the smirk never leaving her face. “You should’ve told me you were coming. I would’ve come to you.”
She moved toward me with a graceful, predatory elegance, her eyes scanning me like she could see every crack in my armor.
“You look tense. What’s the matter?” she added, her voice almost sweet—but I couldn’t tell if she was mocking me or pretending to care. Her gaze held mine, steady and unreadable, and the smile playing on her lips didn’t waver for a second.
“I know why you’re here,” she said with a low, knowing chuckle.
“I can’t go through with this deal,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, controlled. “I was desperate when I made it. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
Her smirk faded. Silence hung between us for a beat—then she burst out laughing, the sound sharp and grating. I clenched my jaw, fury bubbling just beneath my skin.
“You think you can just walk in here, say a few words, and I’ll let you out of it?” she laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. “You really are naïve, Alpha. You made a promise, and I never—ever—let anyone break their promises to me.”
As she spoke, her eyes—normally pale as snow—darkened suddenly, like storm clouds rolling in. My breath caught. But as quickly as the blackness appeared, it vanished, leaving her usual gaze in its place.
“What do you want with my child?” I demanded, unable to keep the edge of rage from my voice. “Why are you so determined to take him?”
“I don’t owe you an explanation,” she said coolly. “All you need to know is that I came for the child, and I won’t leave without him.”
I curled my hands into fists, my body trembling with barely contained anger.
“I said the deal is off!” I growled, the beast within me rising to the surface. In a flash, I shifted into my primal form and lunged at her, claws aimed for her chest.
But she was faster.
With a whoosh, she shot into the air, her body hovering as if gravity had no claim on her. I looked up slowly, eyes narrowing as she drifted to the other side of the room with infuriating ease.
“You really don’t know who you’re messing with, Alpha,” she said, her voice now a low, dangerous purr.
I growled in response, a silent warning that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
“I will kill you before I ever let you take my child from me,” I snarled, my voice shaking with fury and raw desperation.
Zara tilted her head, her amusement barely contained as she stepped closer. “That isn’t fair, Alpha,” she said, her tone light and mocking. “I did what you asked. I saved your people. And now you’re refusing to give me what I deserve? That’s not very nice.”
Her casual words only added fuel to the fire burning in my chest. I lunged forward again, ready to tear her apart, but before I could reach her, she grabbed my arm. A searing pain shot through my skin like wildfire. My knees buckled, and I dropped with a pained grunt, clutching the burning flesh of my forearm.
“I’ll stop,” she said sweetly, a smirk of satisfaction curving her lips, “if you just ask me to.”
“Stop!” I bellowed through gritted teeth.
Instantly, the burning sensation vanished. I gasped and looked down at my hand—it was blistered and raw, the skin charred. Rage simmered under my skin as I clenched my jaw and stood slowly.
“I don’t want to fight you, Alpha,” she said calmly, her voice suddenly void of malice. “You’re not someone I want to get physical with… so please, leave.”
Her words stung more than they should have. I felt small. Powerless. Defeated. I turned to go, swallowing my pride—but I stopped mid-step. Isabella’s tear-streaked face flashed in my mind, her cries echoing in my ears. Her pain. Her fear. Her desperation.
I couldn’t walk away. Not now. Not without trying everything.
“What can I do?” I asked, turning back to her, desperation lacing my voice. “I swear, I’ll do anything if you change your mind.”
Zara’s eyes met mine, curiosity flickering in their depths. She tilted her head and gave a cold smile.
“And what could you possibly offer me that’s more precious than your child?” she asked softly, her tone unnervingly calm. “There’s nothing I want, Alpha. I just need you to leave.”
“I can’t just leave!” I snapped, my voice rising despite myself. “I came here for one reason—to stop you from taking my child—and I won’t leave until I do.”
She scoffed and stepped forward, her movements lightning fast. In an instant, she was just inches away from me. Her eyes roamed over my body, lingering with unsettling interest.
“You know,” she murmured, her voice low and velvety, “there’s something about your body. I’m… drawn to it.”
I took a step back instinctively, but she closed the gap again, her smirk deepening.
“There might be something you can give me, after all.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice cracking with desperation. At this point, I was willing to give up anything—anything to make sure Isabella never shed another tear because of me.
She leaned in closer, so close I could feel her breath on my skin. Then, without warning, she pressed her lips to mine.
My eyes flew open. I froze in place, shocked and disgusted. I jerked back immediately, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
“I want you to give me a child,” she said with a sweet smile. “What?!” I gasped, the word ripping from my throat in disbelief.