Chapter 10

Asher's POV

I watched as Cassie stormed away, her eyes glistening with hurt after our heated argument. 

My words had been cruel, but I needed her to keep her distance.

The closer she got to me, the more likely she was to uncover the truth behind my return.

I just needed to use being with her as an excuse for my revenge.

Drawing a deep breath, I returned my attention to the cigarette between my fingers, the nicotine doing little to calm my frayed nerves. 

A few moments later, Mark, my beta, emerged from the shadows, a sly grin on his face.

"Quite the spitfire you've got there, Asher," he remarked, nodding in the direction Cassie had gone.

"I never thought I'd see the day when someone could ruffle your feathers like that."

I shot him a warning glare, my tone icy.

"Watch it Mark!."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, his smile fading as he remembered his place. 

"Apologies Alpha," he said, his demeanor shifting to one of respect and submission.

"What's the next move?" Mark asked, all traces of humor gone from his voice. 

"When will you visit the pack and assert your dominance?"

I took a long drag from my cigarette, mulling over his question.

"Soon," I replied, my voice hard and resolute. 

"But first, I need to ensure that our position remains secure. We can't afford any mistakes."

Mark nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. 

"Understood. I'll keep a close eye on the pack's activities and report back to you."

As Mark disappeared into the night, I crushed the remnants of my cigarette beneath my heel.

 The weight of my responsibilities bore down on my shoulders, and I knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges.

 But I was determined to see it through, for the sake of my revenge and my pack.

I made my way back to the hall, the tension of my encounter with Cassie still lingering in the air. 

As I scanned the now empty hall, I caught sight of Mila, her gaze locked on me with a predatory hunger.

"Asher," she purred, approaching me with a sway in her hips. 

"You're even more handsome than your brother."

I regarded her coldly, unimpressed by her attempts to charm me.

 Before I could respond, she teachesout to touch my chest, but I swiftly dodged her advance. 

Her momentum carried her forward, and she stumbled, landing face-first on the ground.

Mila let out a shriek of indignation, her voice shrill and piercing.

 "How dare you!" she exclaimed, her face contorted with rage as she struggled to regain her composure.

 "I'm the Luna of this pack and you will show me respect!"

I looked down at her with disdain, my voice dripping with contempt.

 "I don't care for titles or hierarchy," I replied, my tone frigid. "And I certainly don't appreciate being touched without permission."

Mila glared at me, her eyes burning with hatred. 

"You'll regret this," she hissed, reaching up for me to help her off the floor. 

"I can make your life a living hell." She added.

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze unflinching. 

"I've dealt with far worse than you, Mila," I said, my voice a dangerous whisper. 

"I suggest you remember that."

With a final glance at her sprawled form, I turned my back on her, leaving her to pick herself up off the ground. 

As I strode away, I could feel the weight of her glare boring into my back, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

I exited the pack house, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. I made my way to the Alpha's mansion, where Cassie resided.

 The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the ground as if foreshadowing the storm that was brewing within the pack.

As I approached Cassie's room, I paused outside the door, my hand poised to knock. 

But before I could announce my presence, I heard her soft sobs from inside, followed by the sound of her voice.

"Why did everything have to change?" she cried, her words filled with pain and longing. 

"I miss the days when Mom was still alive. When life was simple and we were happy."

My heart ached for her, and I found myself drawn towards her anguish. 

She reminded me of myself and I connect easily to her lament.

Gently pushing open the door, I stepped inside, my footsteps muffled by the thick carpet.

Cassie sat on the edge of her bed, her back turned to me as she continued to sob. 

Her shoulders shook with each wrenching cry, and I felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her.

"Cassie," I said softly, my voice filled with a tenderness I didn't know I possessed.

Startled, Cassie quickly wiped away her tears and turned to face me, her expression guarded. 

"What are you doing here, Asher?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse from crying. 

"I didn't hear you come in."

Her attempt to hide her vulnerability only made me more determined to reach out to her.

 "I heard you crying," I confessed, my gaze locked on hers. "I wanted to make sure you were alright."

Cassie's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of hope in their depths. 

But just as quickly, she masked her emotions, her face turning stony and unreadable.

"I'm fine," she insisted, her tone defensive. "You don't need to worry about me."

I took a step closer, my hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek.

"Cassie, it's okay to not be okay," I whispered, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. 

"You don't have to face everything alone."

She tensed at my touch, her breath hitching in her throat. For a moment, we remained frozen in place, the tension between us was as palpable as the air we breathed.

As the silence stretched between us, the air grew thick with anticipation. It was as if time had come to a standstill, the world narrowing to the space between us.

Cassie's eyes flitted towards my lips, her breath quickening in response to the proximity of our bodies. 

My heart pounded in my chest, my instincts urging me to draw her closer, to soothe the pain that had consumed her.

But just as I leaned forward, about to close the distance between us, a knock sounded at the door, shattering the intensity of the moment.

"Miss Cassie," a maid's voice called out from the other side. 

"I've brought the glass of milk you requested." She said as she came in.

Cassie jumped back, her hands flying to her cheeks as she struggled to regain her composure. 

"T-thank you, Martha," she stammered, hastily wiping away the traces of her tears. 

"You can set it on the table."

I stepped back, clearing my throat as I watched the maid place the glass of milk on the nearby table before quickly scurrying away.

Now what next?