Page 76 of Challenged Mate
His lip quirked, but it fell as worry covered his features. He lifted a hand towards the side of my face, but he didn’t touch me. “Baby, release your power. I need to touch you to assess you for injuries.”
My heart flipped at the endearment, but the emotion was replaced with confusion. “What?”
“Release your power,” he said softly. “You’re safe now.” He looked at my hand resting palm-down on the ground.
That was when I noticed my hand glowed.
Golden light coated my body like a second skin. I wiggled my fingers, in awe of the power flowing over me. It had been the source of the light behind my closed eyelids.
Feeling Asher’s continued gaze, I looked up and whispered, “I don’t know how.”
I didn’t even know how I’d called the power into action in the first place.
Immediately, I recognized this was likely the work of my mother’s safety. She’d blocked my powers, but she arranged it so they would be accessible in a life or death situation.
“Connect with the power. Let yourself feel it. Then, slowly draw it inward. Imagine bringing it to your chest and coiling it around your heart,” Asher’s breath brushed my cheeks with each word. The tugging in my core turned to heat—different from the type created by my magic.
I felt my cheeks flush. I hoped Asher wouldn’t read into it, but when his nostrils flared and his eyes flickered over my body once more, I knew he noticed my arousal.
This is sonotthe time, Blair.
I closed my eyes. Asher’s proximity was distracting enough without seeing the matching heat gathering in his own eyes.
I did as he suggested and felt for my power. It literally coated every inch of me, warming me as it offered protection. I attempted to coax the power inward, but its resistance was noteworthy.
I’d never considered my magic could have a will of its own, but it certainly felt like it in that moment. The power resisted my control, and a sense of unease flowed through me. It wasn’t my own.
Thank you for protecting me,I silently told the magic. Like my wolf, I assumed I had ultimate control of the magic, but it had its own thoughts and desires. Like the desire to protect me.
You saved me, I continued. I’m safe now. You can rest. Please rest so Asher can help me.
The moment I thought Asher’s name, I felt the magic tremble.
Gradually, it loosened its hold on me and crawled towards my chest. Once I felt the last tendril settle in my heart, I opened my eyes.
Asher was already reaching for me. He grabbed my arms and sat me up with a gentleness that didn’t match the fear in gaze.
His hands roamed over my body, glowing with blue power. I assumed his magic was scanning for injuries. His forehead creased as he worked. I stared at him openly, not bothering to spare a glance for the shifters gathered over his shoulder. I took in his glowing irises and dark hair. His jawline was cleanly shaven, but hair already peppered his rugged features. The desire to run my fingers over his face was fierce.
Heat remained in my core, and it coiled tight, like a cobra ready to spring. The force of the sensation made me suck in a breath.
The sound drew Asher’s eyes back to mine. They flared.
In the blink of an eye, I was cradled in Asher’s arms. He held me tight as he carried me out of the ruined building.
I pressed against him as my body sang with fire stoked by desire.
One hand gripped the back of Asher’s neck while the other pressed against his chest. I let my fingers travel the crevice between his pecs. A barely audible growl vibrated against his lips, and his grip tightened.
In the corner of my mind, my wolf purred with approval.
She’d been wanting this for a long time.
So had I.
“Blair, oh the Mother. Are you okay?” I heard Kayla’s voice, but my focus was glued to her brother. I didn’t want to break it. Not even for a moment.
“She’s fine,” Asher’s response rumbled in his chest. I felt it everywhere we touched.
