Page 8 of Challenged Mate
I held my breath, wondering what he would do—wondering what Iwantedhim to do.
A long second passed. Asher’s arm fell to his side. “The fridge is full if you need food,” he said gruffly. His eyes zeroed in on my neck. No doubt, he heard my racing pulse.
I managed a calm nod. “Thanks.”
Asher lingered for another moment before abruptly spinning on his heel and striding out of the bedroom.
Chase stepped aside to let him pass, giving me a sympathetic look I didn’t want to receive. “See you later, Blair.”
I said nothing.
I didn’t move a muscle until I heard the front door click closed. Then, I fell into a limp heap on top of the bed.
As much as I tried to ignore it, my entire soul yearned to be near Asher. Tears burned the back of my eyes from hearing he planned to leave so quickly after my arrival. Every instinct urged me to beg him to stay.
But I couldn’t.
I choked on a sob, unable to stop the tears from rolling down my face.
Rather than fight it, I let sorrow overtake me. I needed the release.
Tomorrow, I’d go back to being the strong, alpha heir I was raised to be.
But today, I would let my heart ache for everything I’d lost.
And everything I had left to lose.
Three
A quiet morninggreeted me as soft light flittered through the bedroom curtain, pulling me from sleep.
In Colorado, my home sat in the center of the community. There was always someone awake and making noise to begin each day. But the Wilds Pack alpha lived so far from the rest of his pack, not even my heightened hearing allowed me to hear any other pack members.
Was the alpha a recluse, or did he simply enjoy his privacy?
I rolled out of the comfy bed and raised my arms in long stretch. I walked to the window and drew back the sheer, white curtain. The sun had just crossed the horizon despite the fact it was nearly nine in the morning. Just another reminder I was no longer in Colorado.
No.
No more wallowing.
I shook away the sad thoughts and made my way to the bathroom. I turned the water as hot as it could go, then stepped inside the shower. The stinging water peppered my skin, and I embraced the burn for as long as I could stand it. Once the room was well and truly steamy, I turned down the temperature and proceeded to wash my hair and body.
Towel dried, I changed into a pair of leggings and a thick hoodie. The apartment was cool despite my hot shower. I spotted a thermostat on the wall but refrained from adjusting it. This wasn’t my home—no matter what anyone else said.
I was just about to attempt to master the unfamiliar coffee machine when three swift raps sounded against the front door. I walked over, flipped the bolt, and opened the door.
“Morning, Hemmings.” Chase stood there, wearing a bright smile and holding out a thermos. “I brought you coffee.”
His actions made me think of Hunter: my partner in the Alpha Games and future beta of the Summit Pack.
He’s probably the future alpha now…
“Thanks.” I accepted the drink, hoping I managed to hide the pain from my expression. I stepped back so Chase could enter the apartment.
He strolled in with the confidence of someone who’d been in the apartment many times. He flopped onto the couch and slouched, kicking his feet onto the coffee table.
Had it been my furniture, I would have demanded he remove his shoes. But since it wasn’t, I kept my mouth shut.
