Scheming Bastard

The bill amounted to a huge lot— one that Ashlyn couldn’t afford.

Holding back the curses towards the scheming bastard, she knew she had to turn to someone for help. Therefore, standing in front of the door, she knocked on it.

When permission was given to her, she pushed open the door to enter. After that, she slightly bowed her head to the figure inside.

“Alpha,” she greeted.

Behind the desk was her elder brother seated. Sebastian was older than her three years and couple of months, making him the rightful owner of the title which had been in his possession for good two years.

Both of them bore a lot of similarity in their features with that matching black hair and eyes. He had an intimidating and overwhelming masculine bearing. He reeked off power and dominance.

Those black eyes of his easily brought fear to one’s heart.

In Ashlyn’s eyes, instead of being jealous of him, she saw him as a role model. There was always a lot to learn in her humble opinion every time her eyes fell on him.

Her brother was much more charismatic and stronger. Not only that, his people liked him tremendously and respected him, trusting themselves entirely in his care without a second thought.

He understood the emotions and concerns of the people well, and acted rationally, not letting his impulses get in the way. It was hard for an alpha to not let his emotions affect his judgement, and her brother did a great job with letting his head stay clear.

He was the perfect ruler.

He arched an eyebrow, indicating for her to start speaking.

Ashlyn was ashamed to bring up this request but felt helpless due to her plight.

“I need to borrow some cash. However, I intend to pay you back soon,” she managed to say without any fluctuations present in her tone.

Sebastian knitted his eyebrow.

“Cash? Why?”

Swerving her head the other way, she slowly answered, “I broke the vase in the living room accidentally. Apparently, it’s an antique.”

Voicing this out to her brother gave birth to overwhelming guilt inside her. She knew the werewolf wasn’t proud of her anger management issues, and it to be a lie if she argued on trying her best to hold herself back.

Her brother gave her that look one which made her plunge deeper into self-blame.

“I am sorry,” she forced out.

“I am not aware of the vase being antique. They wouldn’t be casually placed in the living room where it could be easily in harm’s way. Are you sure?”

“That’s what that Beta said,” she responded.

“Elijah did?” he mused.

Ashlyn almost nodded when it hit her and mumbled, “That scheming bastard shouldn’t be cheating me, right?”

Not minding how she cursed at his beta, Sebastian’s eyes had hint of amusement in them, and he expressed, “You should check it yourself without trusting him blindly.”

The corner of Ashlyn’s lips twitched.

Not caring about the relationship they had between two of them, she was willing to beat that bastard up. Obviously, this was his way of punishing her for treating Elaine harshly.

Her alpha’s presence prevented her from storming out of the room and grabbing the scheming bastard by his collar, delivering a couple of punches on his face following that.

Then, the air in the room shifted. It became more solemn, and Ashlyn fixed her mood according to this, straightening herself up. She opted for a more nonchalant outlook.

“The mating ball in coming up,” he started.

“I have already talked with the commander of Redfur pack and worked on the security plan. I will bring it to you later for your opinion,” she voiced out.

“Good. However, this time I expect you to be present.”

This made confusion swirl in her eyes.

She was present each time though.

“I will be there, making sure to not let anything slip.”

“You misunderstood. I don’t want you to be present there as a guard but a participant.”

That took her aback.

Ever since she was old enough to participate in mating balls, she already her position as the pack commander, and her job as providing protection easily preceded over taking part in socializing with other werewolves.

Mating balls were mandatory for all the werewolves aged eighteen to thirty to attend. After that age, it is automatically assumed that the mate had passed away since the age gap more than twelve years is considered to be extremely uncommon.

At the age of twenty three, she was present at five mating balls as the head of security.

“I apologize, Alpha, but that would be risky. And even while guarding the ball, I can sense my mate,” Ashlyn said— her tone hinting the gravity.

During this mating ball, it was easy for werewolves to be distracted and foreign werewolves to sneak in. The mating ball was held in common grounds where all the werewolves had the permit to be at.

That’s why, the security was greatly emphasized.

“As your alpha and your older brother, I deem this as my responsibility. I know you are dedicated to keeping the pack protected, but I don’t want this to be the reason behind you not finding your mate. Therefore, I expect you to participate. And don’t hide your scent.”

As a female werewolf, mate or not, her pheromones attracted the male werewolves, and the male werewolves got excited easily compared to the female ones.

Because of this, in order to keep the warrior werewolves in clear mind, it was a rule for her to cover up her scent through inhibitors. It was in the form of a pill and had barely any side-effects.

Due to that, Elijah bore no clue of the existing mate bond between the both of them.

And this is how she preferred the matter to be. She believed both of them shouldn’t be paired together, and Elijah would prefer the matter to be that way.

Ashlyn held strongly onto the traditional views of the werewolves and greatly respected the concept of mate, knowing they were made for each other.

However, for her and Elijah’s case, she considered it to be an exception.

She tried to argue, “But that’s—”

“I would have asked for your opinion if needed, Ash. You do as you are ordered.”

Ashlyn bit down on her lower lip. Her brother didn’t enjoy being challenged, and she didn’t want to argue with the man either. That’s why, she nodded her head.

“I understand, Alpha.”

She bowed her head before proceeding to leave.