Thank you, Syl. I know this isn't how some of you wanted this to go. But this is the direction the story took. I love Syl, and her character will always be special to me. Thank you for reading! -JNS <3
Saph POV I assist the medical team as much as I can. I’m not a surgeon, but I refuse to leave Syl. She’s exquisite in her final moments. I keep my eyes trained on the doctor’s hands. I block out Brickland’s sobs as he loses his closest friend; a beautiful, young woman that loves…loved…him so dearly. If I turn my head to the right, I’ll see Asher. I can sense his pain as the final cut is made, ending Syl’s life, sending her soul back to the Moon Goddess. I want to be next to him, to give him my hand to squeeze, lend my strength to him, but I won’t leave Syl. Her sacrifice today proves that she is the embodiment of pure heartedness- a heart of gold. The doctor places Syl’s heart in a basin and we rush it to Artemis’ room, where Archie and Yaya are helping him. The three of them become quiet as I walk into the room first, holding the basin. Asher and Brickland follow behind me silently. “I- I have the other ingredients pre
Asher POV Holy fucking shit! Artemis’ antidote worked! Ruby is going to be okay! Her incessant giggling forces me back from Saph’s perfectly soft lips. Fuck, I need to keep kissing this woman. “Papa, is Saph your girlfriend?” Ruby boldly asks, squeezing herself between me and Saph. Saph doesn’t mind; she makes more space for Ruby. “Well, Cupcake. I do like Saph a lot,” I begin. “Do you like my Papa, Saph?” Ruby turns to Saph, her little arms crossed in front of her body. I love how fearless my little girl is. Saph’s eyes widen as she’s put on the spot. “I…” Saph clears her throat. Her cheeks turn red as she looks up at me, our eyes locking. “I think your daddy is an incredible man. He’s so caring and selfless; and he’s funny. I see how much he loves you and that he would do anything for you, Ruby. So, yea, I do like him,” Saph says, never breaking eye contact with me. I grab her hand, and our fingers interlock.
Saph POV I feel strong hands touching me, running up and down my legs, squeezing my ass. I bite my lip to contain my moans. Am I dreaming again? I grip the small pillow underneath my head, twisting my hips, trying to get closer to his amazing tongue. “That’s it, Bunny. Ride my face.” My eyes snap open and I gasp, looking down to see Asher between my legs. Oh, Goddess, he has a blessed tongue. I look around to find we are still in his small office in the hospital. We must have slept here all night. Does this man never tire? I moan when his tongue dives into my pussy and he grinds his nose into my clit. “Oh, fuck! Ash!” I bite my hand, trying to keep my volume down. We are in the hospital; anyone can walk by and hear us. Did anyone hear us last night? I dig the heels of my feet into his upper back. This man is a beast and I’m his prey. A quick slap is delivered to my clit, making me yelp and sit up on my elbows. “I told you last night, Bu
Asher POV I’m trying not to take Saph’s mood swings personally. One moment, she is riding my face, screaming my name, her body begging me for more; the next, she is distant, torn between me and her former mate. Fuck, I was so hard from tasting her and feeling her juices cover my face. My cock was throbbing to the point that I practically fucked the space between the couch cushions to get some form of relief. I know our situation is confusing to her. I’m confused too. Sure, it’s only been a month, and we both have been through a lot. But, fuck, I just want Saph to decide what she wants- who she wants. How much longer can I compete with a ghost for her love? I push my thoughts aside, clearing my mind as I walk into Ruby’s room in the hospital. She is bouncing on the bed, playing with Archie. “Papa! Where have you been? You missed breakfast,” Ruby stands on her bed, hands on her hips, her lips looking pouty. “I’m sorry, Cupcake. I didn’t
Asher POV Walking into the hospital, I instinctively scan the lobby area for any sign of Saph. After my talk with Daya, I feel like I need to better understand why Saph is hesitant. I have no intention of pressuring her to decide what she wants, or who she wants, but I do plan to show her that she is my choice. First things first- I have to speak with Artemis. “Hey, Ash,” Toby says from across the lobby. I’m always surprised by how much he looks like Thor. I’m going to buy him a giant hammer for the holidays. Before I can reply to Toby, his blue eyes quickly switch to black. “He meant to say, ‘hello Alpha Asher’,” Aurelian bellows in his deep, gravelly voice. “Chill out, Aury. No need for formalities at this point. We’re all friends. And can you two please stop with the Jekyll and Hyde thing? It’s weird!” I scoff, feigning a creeped out shiver. “Sorry about him, Ash. You know how he can be,” Toby apologizes, rolling his blue eyes at
Saph POV Asher’s office is quiet as a large group of us digest everything that’s been discussed. The bright and colorful decor is contrasted by the stern faces of everyone in here. Grizz, and other remaining members of The Underground, are going to attack Red Mountain Pack, but we don’t know when. They will probably use potions that Artemis created to help them conceal themselves, making it harder to detect them. They have been kidnapping werewolves from packs all over the region, giving them some serum that disables their wolves. Then, those helpless individuals are sold to the highest bidder. Probably forgotten and untraceable. Grizz gives new meaning to the word monster. “Security is most important. I won’t risk any of my pack members being taken. All patrollers will work in groups of three for extra protection. If they are using some kind of concealment magic of yours, Artemis, what does that mean?” Asher booms, all eyes
Asher POV As soon as the meetings and strategizing were finished, I hurried back to the packhouse. I relieved Pearl from her babysitting duties and spent time with Ruby. I did my best to explain to her about me and Saph being fated mates and that tonight would be an important night for us. “Does that mean Saph is going to be my Mama now?” Ruby asked me, tears welling in her eyes. “No, Cupcake. Your Mama will always be your Mama. Nobody will ever replace her. But if you like Saph, I know she would love to be in your life,” I explained to her, cradling her in my arms. “Do you love her, Papa?” she asks sweetly, clutching her favorite pink teddy bear. “I think so, Cupcake. I care about her a lot,” I say as I continue to rock her in my arms as we sit in her big, pink bed. “Then you need to have a romantic picnic with her!” she shrieks as she jumps to her feet. So that’s what I did. I gathered a bunch of warm b
Saph POV This is nothing like when Nathan and I marked each other. We loved each other, there is no doubt. When I marked Nathan, I felt a surge of energy run through me. But there were never sparks, never this primal need to be with him, protect him, or have him deep inside of me. And fuck, does Asher get deep. I’m going to be bruised on the inside, and that very idea makes me even hotter for him. Marking Asher, I can feel his soul enmeshing with mine. My eyes shut tight, and I am pulled into some kind of movie reel. A fast-forwarding of Asher’s life. I see memories of him with his parents back in Australia, him and Archie taking over the pack when they were just teenagers. I watch him meet his first love, Portia. She was gorgeous, vibrant. I see him hold Ruby for the first time and say goodbye to Portia in the same instant. I feel his anger, his defeat, and bewilderment. I’m encumbered with guilt that I couldn’t be there for him, that I hadn’t met him sooner.