Page 14 of A Luna's Dynasty
The words hit Lita like a punch to the gut. She hurried from the kitchen as Mira growled in frustration, fighting her to be freed. Once in the safety of the bathroom, Lita leaned against the door, closing her eyes.
Why does he need to check on her?Mira snarled within her mind.
He’s just being responsible,Lita countered, though doubt gnawed at her.They didn’t really have a chance to talk earlier. This took all of us by surprise.
She stripped off her clothes and sank into the warm embrace of the bathtub, letting the water soothe her frayed nerves. As she soaked, her mind wandered to the complexities of her situation with Asher.
What if he still has feelings for Felicia?Lita wondered, vulnerability seeping into her thoughts.
Mira bristled.He’s our mate. He belongs to us.
Lita sighed, running her fingers through the water.It’s not that simple, Mira. There’s history there, a connection I don’t understand.
Then we make him understand our connection,Mira insisted, her presence a warm, insistent pressure in Lita’s chest.
Lita closed her eyes, letting the water lap at her chin.He isn’t going to want us anyway. We’re different, remember?
The doubt that had plagued her throughout her life in the Red Grove Pack resurfaced, threatening to overwhelm her. She took a deep breath, trying to center herself.
We are strong … capable. We’re his mate,Mira growled, her conviction unwavering.
Listen to you being all confident now. You seem to have changed your mind about pack life.Wolves were naturally social animals. It went against their nature to go off on their own. Of course, Mira wanted to seize this first chance to belong.But Mira … you have to stop fighting me for control like this. You’re going to hurt me. Ultimately, I’m the one in charge here, and you’re being disrespectful.She listened as Mira whimpered in response. They were partners, but the human was the one in charge during both wolf and human form, unless the human allowed their wolf to take over their consciousness. Mira, being the rebel she was, would often fight for control, which caused Lita great pain, and it took a lot of effort for her to stay in control. There was a reason she didn’t have divine control over Mira. It was also the reason why Lita and Mira could not quickly heal themselves if they were wounded.
Lita stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her neck. Her bags had arrived from her pack. Judging by the job, it looked like the pack omega just tossed her stuff inside. They didn’t even bother to organize it. Even the omegas didn’t respect her.
She rummaged through one of her bags and stopped. Her fingers brushed against the soft fabric of Teo’s shirt. She had stolen it from him months ago and had kept it in her drawer. A soft smile rested on her lips as she held it up to her nose. Thescent of him and her room was heavy on it. She was in a strange place, and the familiar scent from her room would help her sleep. It offered her a small bit of comfort.
Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she was still hungry. She quickly finished putting clothes on and stepped out of her room. Catching a whiff of Asher’s scent, she turned toward his door. Now that Mira wasn’t fighting her, she wanted to talk to him more about Felicia.
The door to his room was slightly ajar. Lita hesitated, then pushed it open. “Asher, I—”
The words died in her throat. Asher stood before her, gloriously naked, water droplets glistening on his sculpted body. His silver eyes locked onto hers, a smirk playing at his lips.
Chapter 9
“Ready to get started?” he asked, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.
Lita’s face blazed with heat. She spun around, her heart pounding. “I’m so sorry! I should have knocked. I …”
She felt his presence behind her, his warmth radiating against her back. “You never have to knock,” Asher murmured, his breath tickling her ear. “This is our room. You can come in here as you please.”
His hands settled on her waist, and Lita’s breath caught. Then she felt him stiffen, his grip tightening.
“What’s that scent?” Asher’s voice had an edge to it now. “Whose shirt is this?”
Lita turned, meeting his gaze. “It’s Teo’s. I thought it might help me sleep, you know, having something familiar ...”
Asher’s eyes flashed, a growl rumbling in his chest. “No. You’re my mate. You should wear my scent.”
Before Lita could protest, Asher reached for the shirt he’d discarded earlier, pulling it over her head. “There,” he said, his hands resting on her sides again. “That’s better. Trust me, my shirt will help you sleep much better than his.”
Lita’s skin tingled where he touched her, her body hyper-aware of his nakedness. “Asher, I—” Her breath caught in her throat as she struggled to form coherent thoughts. His scent, now wrapped around her like a cocoon, sent her senses into overdrive. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to come alive, acutely aware of his proximity, his touch, his bare skin.
Her wolf, Mira, howled within her, urging her to claim what was rightfully hers. The primal instinct clashed violently with Lita’s human side, which screamed for caution, for self-preservation. She could feel the heat radiating from Asher’s body, his hands still resting on her sides, fingers slightly digging into her flesh.
“I ...” Lita started again, her voice barely above a whisper. She swallowed hard, fighting against the overwhelming desire to bury herself in his arms. “I should go.”
With tremendous effort, she took a step back, breaking contact with Asher. The loss of his touch was almost painful, leaving her skin tingling with phantom sensations. Lita cleared her throat, willing her voice to steady.
