Chapter 25

ASHER

It was time for the mating festival, and I was nervous. I was ready to not even go and go to Vanessa. But I owe it to her to at least discover it myself. She's been gone for a while now, and after the shower that had happened, she needed it. I saw it in her eyes, how hurt she was because of him. Giving up her second chance in order to be happy. No one really knew what happened, as she kept it private. Now that the dirty laundry was laid out for everyone to see, it was sad. Her letting him go, was the hardest thing she ever had to do. The horn blared, as it let us know that it was about to begin.

I exited out of my room, and headed down to the field. I see Vanessa and Drew walking to it. I decided I needed to do something before it happens. I don't want to hurt her because I may not choose her. But I can't help but feel so close to her. I walk up to her and do the unspeakable.

"Ash—" I bent her down and kissed her. She was surprised but met my lips. I lifted her back up. She bit that lip, and her brown cheeks showed a hint of pink.

"What was that for?" She asked.

"I want you to know that regardless of what happens tonight, I never used you. My feelings for you are genuine. You are an amazing woman, and you don't need a man to define you. That's what I like about you." She placed her hand on my cheek, and just started caressing it.

"I hope you do find your mate because she will be so lucky to have you. You're an amazing man and thank you for the time you've given me your attention. My offers still stand, because I wouldn't mind waking up to you everyday" I placed my hand on hers. But the second warning horn started again. She walked away, heading to the circle of the gathering. The third horn had blared.

VANESSA

I walked to the middle, with Drew. I wanted him to experience this as loved ones find each other.

"This is an important time, as one day you will be doing this to start it." I whispered to him "SHIFT!" I commanded. Both Drew and I had shifted into our wolves. I felt the cracking to my bones as I was in my wolf form. Everyone around me did the same. Different colors everywhere. I looked at Drew so we could do it together. I bent my snout down and started it off.

AAARRRGGHH!!!

One by one we were all in sync. I promised myself that I wouldn't look at Asher, as my heart will break. I know how hard the mate bond is, and he won't choose me. Doesn't mean it won't hurt me any less. I started seeing those shifting back, finding their destined mate. Natalia found hers, Xaide found her, servers found there’s. Blake found it there. Right in front of my eyes, I see Asher as he contacted a girl with red hair. He reached his hand to extend, and he shook it. I smiled because he deserves the happiness that I couldn't give. I had to look away, when I turned away, I saw Alec looking at me, as our mate bond still holds. But he didn't do anything, he smiled and walked away to go to the unmated circle.

"So, all these people have found mates. How do they know?" Drew asked.

"Well when your mates, your howls just intertwine in a song. It sets something in your that leads you to that one. It's hard to explain, but you will know one day. Come on let's go watch some tv and eat my sorrows away" We both laughed as we walked to the house.

About 3 hours has passed since the festival, and Drew was asleep on my lap. I started thinking about maybe just choosing Alec. Finding a new mate is hard, but yet it's not fair to us. But I need a king. Natalia said my standards were too high, but with a son you have to be. It was bedtime, I slowly picked Drew up and carried him upstairs. I finally got the chance to get his room together. I shut my mind-links off as it's our valentine’s day of people being happy.

I walked downstairs to the kitchen to grab a beer. "AHHH... I am going to be alone forever!!!!" I screamed. A laugh comes in. I see my father coming in. He was carrying some pizza.

"You are a strange child you know?" He said.

"What are you doing here?" He was supposed to see everyone to the end.

"I needed to check on you, I saw Asher had met his mate. I know you really liked him" He grabs some plates and lays some pizza for me.

"Yeah, I really did like him. I think regardless I will always run into that kind of trouble. I am a rejected mate, a widowed mate, and heart broken. I just don't want to do it again you know. I want to challenge the rule where I can't rule by myself." I start eating at my slice of pizza.

"Well daughter I hope you can fight it. Personally, I think it's dumb as you are capable. I hate seeing you so hurt." He puts his arm around me. This is my life, maybe I'll just continue to hook up randomly, that's always fun to have.

"You know sometimes I think whoever makes these love choices is full of shit" We were both just laughing and eating. We heard a knock on the door.

"Dad, can you get that. I need to go check on Drew." He nodded his head. I went upstairs, and I peaked in his door. He was knocked out.

"Vanessa, get down here! It's for you!" God dammit dad, why was he yelling. I went back downstairs and went to the door, and my mouth dropped. My eyes were playing tricks with me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. But before anything, Asher had slammed his lips onto mine. It wasn't like any other kiss; it was a dominant one. I returned it, but my dad’s cough pulled me back into reality.

"I don't understand what's happening Asher."

ASHER

We had all shifted, my heart was racing. She howled, and we all followed along, as we were in a sync. Sure enough there was one howl, that got my legs moving by themselves. I couldn't believe it; I had found my mate. My wolf was jumping for joy, as I stood in front of this fawn wolf. We shifted, so we can get a better look. She was beautiful, small, just wow. I looked to the corner of my eyes and saw Vanessa. She was smiling at us, and that's how I knew she was a strong person.

"Hi I am Kayla." Her delicate voice said. She looked up at me, and I just wanted to kiss her. This mate bond is no joke, and I know what Vanessa was talking about. It was strong, and it makes you act like a kid with a crush.

"Asher, it's nice to meet you. You're my mate." She put her hand in mine as she took me to a picnic table around the corner. We talked, and we really connected. We joked, we laughed, we bonded. But something wasn't right. She leaned over and kissed me. My wolf was happy, but in my mind, I knew it wasn't right. I pulled back, and I needed to set things right.

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

"Listen, we are mates. You are wonderful, my wolf is happy. But I know it's only the mate bond that wants you. I don't" She looked at me with tears forming in her eyes.

"I am sorry Kayla, but I am rejecting you. There is someone else that I want to be with" She started crying, and I was in pain. My wolf most likely has disowned me.

"You've not given me the chance; we were chosen for each other Asher." She pleaded.

"We were, but I learned from someone I care about. That the mate bond isn't what makes us perfect. It's the person that's within. And as you are great, and the kiss had sparks. I can't choose you." I got up from the chair and made my way to the palace. I needed her to know that I am choosing her. I've known her all but a week, but I am able to find this bond off because I want her. I didn't know how I was going to do it. But the rain started pouring as I was running.

I got to the door, and I paced for about 20 minutes before I got the courage to knock. Her father opened the door, and this perfect timing.

"Alpha Steele, I am Asher Rossi. I am here to ask for your daughter's hand in mating." He peered over me and crossed his arms.

"What happened to your mate?" He tried to look intimidating.

"As the gods want us together, I want Vanessa. Not for her title, but because she makes me happy. I would like your blessing." I responded.

"Vanessa, get down here. It's for you!" he yelled. I heard her running down the stairs, and there she was in her cute pjs. I know she is confused, but I can't explain how serious I am about this.

"What are you doing here?" She asks. But I couldn't control myself. I attached my lips to hers. I wanted our first official kiss to mean something. And it did. It went on for a few minutes. But her dad had coughed which caused her to back up.

"I don't understand what's happening Asher." She said. She was studying me trying to figure it out if she didn't know.

"I choose you Vanessa, I want you. I want your son, your kingdom, your heart. I want all your mess. If you will have me." I couldn't say complete sentences. She stood there in shock, and maybe she couldn't process it. Great she is second guessing; I shouldn't have come. However, I spoke too soon and she ran and threw herself in my arms. Her tears soaked my neck, and I just held her. I took her inside and closed the door behind us.

"It's time I leave, Asher welcome to the family." He went out the door. And I carry her to the counter and sit her on it. She looked up at me, and she was happy.

"What about your mate?" she asked.

"You were right about the mate bond, however without the mate bond she meant nothing to me. We have no mate bond, and you make me a happy man. If you weren't the queen, I'd still choose you" she smiled at me taking my hands in her.

"Vanessa, we live in modern times. So, I want to ask about these times. Will you be my mate?" She planted a kiss on my cheek, and just smiled.

"Yes, I would like nothing more. You don't know how happy you've made me. I'm going to be losing my advisor and my beta soon, so I'd like for us to do it before everyone leaves." She said. Ahh the businesswoman is coming out. I wrapped my arms around her, taking in her scent.

"We can do whatever you'd like, I just want to be with you." It was this moment right here, with her in my arms. Me in hers that is it. Kayla was a great girl, but I couldn't just whisk her away. Then have to figure things out as we go. It just wasn't there. With Vanessa, it's just there. I can't explain it. She was mine, and I was hers.