Page 43 of A Luna's Dynasty
Lita narrowed her eyes at the man in front of her and growled. “I’m much more dangerous than what’s in the shadows. You men don’t smell like you belong to a pack.”
“Is it a crime not to belong to a pack? We’re just working on trying to form our own,” a man who made her skin crawl said as he looked her up and down.
“You know, even loners need protection, and even the strongest need allies. I’d be willing to provide that.” Another man who looked like the leader smirked at her.
Lita growled as she pulled Mira to the surface, ready to defend herself. Suddenly something wrapped around her from behind. Silver chain clinked as they pinned her arms to her sides. The leader gave her a triumphant grin as he held her arms.
“Now, now, now,” the leader tutted, his voice low and dangerously close to her ear, “there’s no need for that. We just want to be your friends, right boys?”
The other men chuckled, their eyes hungry as they closed in on Lita. She struggled against the leader’s grasp, desperate to breakfree, but the chains were enchanted. Her mind raced, searching for a way out, a way to survive this nightmare.
“As soon as you stepped outside, I could sense your power. Making someone like you my luna will be a good start for our new pack.”
“You think I would ever be your luna?!” Lita scoffed as the man moved behind her, his tongue tracing over her neck, making her body shudder in disgust.
“Willingly or not … eventually you will come to reason. Once I mark you, no one will want you.” She felt his fangs brush against her neck, and she struggled against the chains. “Hold her still! This one is strong.”
A fierce roar split the night air, causing the men to freeze in their tracks. Lita’s heart leapt as she recognized the sound, her eyes darting to the side as she finally breathed in his scent. Asher had found her.
He burst into the clearing, his silver eyes ablaze with protective fury. “Get your filthy hands off my mate,” he snarled, his voice low and menacing. He didn’t hesitate as he lunged into the leader. The ensuing fight was a blur of claws as Asher’s uncontained rage was unleashed upon the rogues. His partially shifted hands shredded them with an unmatched power.
That was when more rogues emerged from the shadows, but Grayson and Caspian, hearing the commotion, jumped outside and collided with them, their skills too much for the weak rogues to handle.
Lita’s heart raced as she watched the battle unfold, her eyes never leaving Asher’s form. She’d never seen him like this before … so fierce, so feral, so utterly focused on her safety.
In a matter of minutes, the rogues lay defeated at Asher’s feet, their leader’s lifeless body a testament to the alpha’s strength. Asher turned to Lita, his silver eyes softening as they met her green ones. “Lita,” he breathed, his voice rough with emotion.
He rushed to her side, throwing the chains off her and gathering her in his arms, holding her close. “I’ve got you,” he murmured against her head as he looked up at Caspian and the stranger next to him.
“I thought … I thought he was going to … and I couldn’t …” She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
Asher’s arms tightened around her, his breath warm against her ear. “I will never let anyone hurt you, Lita. You’re safe now. I promise. I don’t want to wait anymore. I want to mark you as my luna,” Asher whispered, his forehead resting against hers. “I want to share my power with you, to build a life together. I promise to love you, to protect you, to cherish you for all of my days. My wolf is so angry, I’m trembling. I wasn’t by your side, and I almost didn’t—”
“Asher, you aren’t blaming yourself, are you?” Lita lifted her head away to look into his silver eyes.
“Of course I blame myself. I should have found you faster. I never should have agreed to be parted from your side. I failed you, and—”
“You didn’t. I’m okay. I could have shredded those morons easily had they not chained me up. Who could have prepared for that? Why would you have anticipated that?”
“That’s my job. To protect you. Lita, I don’t want to wait a moment longer.”
“What are you saying?” She pursed her lips as she stared at him in confusion.
“I’m saying …” He knelt in front of her and grabbed her hand. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my luna?”
“Asher …” Lita smiled and nodded her head. Despite her insecurities, she knew she was meant to be by his side. That was what she wanted, and she didn’t want to regret not giving them a chance.
He jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground and spinning in a circle. The plan was to mark her tonight, but he didn’t want to wait another minute. Why not get tonight started now? He slowly lowered her to her feet and pressed his forehead against hers. “Let’s go home?” She nodded, and he intertwined his fingers with hers.
“Alpha Asher … I’m Grayson from the Cedar Pack. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect her. She’s my … friend, from childhood. I’m—” His eyes darted to Lita before returning to Asher. “I have some things I would like to discuss with you. I see you’re busy now, but I want to come and visit your pack in the next couple of days.”
“Yes, that’s fine. But like you said …” Asher looked down at Lita. “I’m busy now. Caspian, Lita and I are leaving ahead of the others. Make sure Caden knows.” Asher grabbed Lita’s hand and led her back inside, through the crowd. He wasted no time getting to their vehicle and instructing the driver to rush back home. It was finally time to claim his luna … his Lita.
What they didn’t know was, from the shadows, they were being watched. Felicia clicked her tongue, marching angrily into the woods. Those rogues were worthless. She practically served Lita up to them, giving them the enchanted chain that would block her wolf. All they had to do was mark her. She even set up the anise-scented cookies in order to drive her outside. It was the perfect plan. Worthless! She was able to delay Asher on the dance floor to give them time to get to Lita, but he ended up ripping away from her after only seconds. She tried holding him back, but he growled at her, jerking his arm away. Luckily he didn’t know it was her, but still … the risk was all in vain. All that careful planning … wasted.
She would need something or someone stronger to get rid of Lita. “This isn’t over. I am the one who should be by Asher’s side. Me … Asher belongs to me.”
Chapter 26
