Chapter 51 Forced
Chapter 51: Scarlett
It was almost funny how easy it was to break Asher's resolve. And I couldn't even deny that it felt good.
I loved the feeling of being in control. I loved how he struggled to resist me. It only solidified the fact that we were meant to be.
And if I kept fighting for us, he would have no choice but to let go of his blind anger. Or misplaced hate.
He was convinced that he hated me but his body couldn't fool me. Asher loved me, he just needed to realize it.
These thoughts allowed my smile to continue dancing on my face when a soft knock echoed on my door.
I paused, glaring at the locked door, I tried to think of who it could have been. I was expecting Bee, but it was too early for him to risk showing up here.
So who could it be?
But as the knock echoed again, I got out of bed and slowly unlocked the door.
As my eyes stared at the person, I was stunned and excited at the same time.
"Albert," I whispered. "What are you doing here?" I quickly checked around him to make sure he was alone. And then I ushered him inside.
"Is everything alright?" I asked as I closed the door behind him. "Did Asher say something?"
My heart was racing with thoughts. I knew we had a plan and seeing him here meant two things, it was either he accepted or rejected it.
"What did he say about the festival?"
Albert bowed slightly and I saw the grin on his face, long before he nodded excitedly. "Asher has approved of it!"
"Yes!" I exclaimed as warmth flooded through my insides in excitement.
But almost as soon as the joy spread through me, I was brutally reminded of the second problem. "Will he take me as his date? Did you mention that to him?"
"Asher is a very stubborn man. I couldn't outrightly mention that to him," Albert replied and my heart dropped.
"So what are we going to do now?"
"Oh don't worry, it's simple," he said, the excitement in his eyes brightening once more. "I told him that he could pick the human girl, Angel but we are going to force him to see you first, when he takes the Aphrodisiac."
His explanation finally made sense. I started pacing as the thoughts took form in my head. "That's when Violet comes in, right?"
"Exactly. She and your brother will be in the next phase of this plan." He pulled out envelopes from his coat and handed it to me.
"What are these?" I asked as I accepted them from him.
"They are the invitations for your brother, King Axel and his mate, Violet. Once they are here, Asher will have no excuse for leaving your side. So when the aphrodisiac is shared..."
"—I will be the first person he sees," I completed for him.
"Exactly." He beamed.
A smile stretched on my face as I hurriedly tore open the invitations he gave me. "This is perfect, Albert!"
"Yes, it is. I pray by the goddess that it works in our favour just like we have planned," he muttered his wise old voice taking a softer tone.
I could instantly see how much he cared for Asher and the people... And just like him, I prayed this plan was successful.
"Alright dear, I shall leave you now. But please don't forget to prepare a list and attach the invites with your signature to make it more official and less suspicious," he said and I nodded.
"Oh and one more thing, get a beautiful dress and make sure you look irresistible that day," he added and then bowed. "Do have a wonderful evening, my Queen."
My heart swelled just by hearing him call me that. It felt like medals on my shoulders and I made a silent promise to make him proud.
That title was going to be mine, just like the goddess had long ordained it to be.
As soon as the door closed behind Albert, I sat cross-legged on the bed, and began preparing the list just like he had mentioned.
Knowing Asher, I knew how much he was going to explode after he found out our plan.
But the thrill was exciting rather than scary.
If it worked, I would be spending six months with Asher. It was both sweet and dangerous all at once.
Because even without the Aphrodisiac, he already couldn't resist me. So adding that to his system was going to make him a beast. For me.
I was just rounding up on the list when I heard a scratch on the balcony door.
My head instantly swiped on that direction but a knowing smile covered my face. It was definitely Bee.
I quickly unlocked the door and his smile, contaminated mine to stretch further.
"Do we need to start preparing for a baby shower?" He asked and I couldn't help but I laugh.
"You are insane. Come on in!"
He moved to the bed and plopped down next to me, looking over the list I had just finished compiling.
"I have to take this back to Albert to start sending. We have just two weeks... Our guests need to prepare themselves," I mumbled more to myself than to him.
"True, and you need to prepare too. Have you thought of a dress yet?" Bee asked and I slowly shook my head.
Sincerely, the dress was the least of my problems. I had worried about something entirely different.
And as my countenance changed, Bee was quick to notice.
"What is it?" He asked, scooting closer. "Beta Albert is very smart. I am sure this plan is foolproof. You don't have to worry."
"I don't Bee... but what if he doesn't drink the Aphrodisiac presented to him while I am there?"
Bee's eyes narrowed with determination as he tilted his head lazily to me. "Scarlett, Asher is a Lycan. And Lycans are blind to challenges. Once your brother is here, he will drink it. What excuse will he give for not drinking it?"
I nodded at his explanation but it still didn't wipe off the sting of worry I felt. "But what if he—"
"My Queen, please stop doubting the plan. You'll jinx it." He cut me off, holding my hands. "Look, just be confident and continue smiling. The goddess is on our side. Who can stop us?"
I felt my confidence surged and I smiled at him. "Thank you Bee... I don't know what I would have ever done without you..."
Bee stayed with me until I was done signing every invite prepared. And then together we set out to find Albert to start sending them out.
The one that was for my brother and his mate, were handled first to avoid it getting stopped or found by Asher.
"Now, I need you to prepare for the aftermath... Things might get a little difficult," Albert said as they walked me back to my room.
My pulse skipped as I turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"
"Once the invite gets to your brother— especially, it is customary that he sends an acceptance or rejection letter back. And it will go directly to Asher."
My eyes expanded at this as fear rushed through me.
"Isn't there a way we can intercept this letter?" Bee asked, mirroring my worry. "If the King finds out about it, he might cancel the whole thing before it even starts."
"No," Albert said, shaking his head slightly. "He can't cancel out an invitation that's already sent. But he will punish the one who sent it..."
His eyes slowly dropped on me and I swallowed, as I understood what he meant.
"Can't we do something about it?" Bee questioned but this time I was the one who replied to him.
"No, we have to make it as natural as possible. Asher shouldn't know that it was a plan. It must appear as a mistake... This way, the rest of the plan will still fly."
"But my lady, what if he hurts you?"
A smirk formed on my lips as I met Bee's worried gaze. "Asher cannot hurt me," I said with confidence. "He will punish me, but I will be ready."
"But what if he doesn't let you even attend the festival?" Bee countered. "Are we considering that?"
My heart skipped but it wasn't from fear.
"Let's place all our cards on the table," Albert declared. "Asher hasn't gotten any leverage yet to openly challenge King Axel. I don't think he would want to get on his bad side..."
"Yes, you are right. He wouldn't." I agreed. "With my brother here, he will be forced to play the perfect mate, just like he has been doing."
"And that's why this plan wouldn't fail..." Albert completed and I felt it deep inside of me. He was right.
Even if Asher had no disregard for my brother, he wouldn't openly offend his cousin, Violet.
And I realized that somehow, I was going to have to lean into that more for the success of this plan.