Chapter 1

Ashina’s POV

“A little bird told me you’ve never felt the touch of a man. Allow me to help you with that.”

My insides twisted in disgust as I noticed the pack’s tyrant wink at me. 

I rushed my steps, trying to wear him out. He had been on my tail from the stream.

“Ryker, stay away from me, or there’ll be trouble,” I warned, balancing the keg of water on my head.

He blocked me. “Trouble for you, or trouble for you,” he laughed at his silly joke. 

The mischievous light in his eyes crept the hell out of me, but there was no way I would give him the pleasure of thinking he could scare me, even though we were on a lonely path and the sun was setting. 

I rolled my eyes, stepping aside. “Get out of my way, or else.”

Ryker chuckled. “Stop feeling too important. No one cares about an outcast, not even your Alpha brother.”

The mention of Leo made my heart jump. My eyes reddened as anger surged through my veins. I wanted to give him an answer. But the need to get home before my curfew, deeply surpassed the urge to give him a taste of his own medicine.

I sighed and pressed forward. 

“You're not going anywhere.” Ryker grabbed my arm, pulling me back. 

“Ahh!” My scream startled the birds off the trees. The keg on my head wobbled, and I threw the water on him. He jumped back, spluttering. 

“What th—”

“Stay away from me, jerk.” I gave him several blows on his head with the keg. 

Laughter echoed from behind a tree.

“Come out before she kills me!” Ryker cried out, blocking my blows with his arms.

Kora stepped out of the bush. Nora followed, holding her phone up, recording Ryker and me. “Good job, Ryker.”

He squeezed his dripping shirt. “Keep your side of the bargain. My business must remain a secret.”

I blinked at my step twin sisters in confusion. “What bargain?”

Nora rolled her eyes at him. “We’ll keep our word, even though you didn’t give us what we wanted.”

My gaze swept from one to the other. Ryker shook his head, glancing at me. “She’s hotheaded, damn it.” He cursed, storming off.

“You both set this up, didn't you?” I questioned. 

Nora stopped recording as she clicked her tongue. “Oh, gullible, Ashina. There was water at home. All you needed to do was check.” She shrugged.

My chest heaved as I glared at her in fury. “Why did you both do this?”

Nora smacked her lips. “We wanted a video of you desperate for a man’s touch, but hitting him on the head with a bucket would do.”

My head dropped in disappointment. “What for?”

“There is a ball in the neighboring rival pack next week. Mum would never allow us to go, so we wanted something that would make you cover up for us, simple.”

“You both are despicable. You could have just asked.” I noticed the sky darkening. My pulse quickened. “It's past my curfew. Now you've both put me in trouble again.”

“Too bad, Leo would be busy with work. He won’t be there to save his favourite,” Kora looked up from her phone, clicking her tongue at me.

I rolled my eyes and raced past them both, heading home as I prayed Luna wasn't back from the pack clinic yet.

In ten minutes, I reached the mansion, sneaking in through the back gate. 

My heart sank the moment I saw Luna pacing the corridor. I halted, heaved a deep breath, before changing course to pass behind the garden.

Luna caught me with her sharp eyes. “Ashina Grey, come here.” 

I shut my eyes, muttering a prayer under my breath. 

“I believe you’re not deaf!”

“Mother,” I replied, and came in front of her.

“It’s twenty minutes past your curfew. What were you doing out there?” Luna inquired, arching one of her perfect brows.

“I went to fetch water from the stream, mother.”

“There is water at home. Why did you—?” She sighed, “Anyways, where is the water you fetched?” Luna asked.

I scratched the back of my neck, thinking.

If I told her about Kora and Nora, they might show her an edited video of Ryker and me. That would mean double trouble for me.

Luna stomped her feet, losing her patience. “I asked you a question, Ashina!”

“I slipped on my way back, and the water fell.” 

This is all Ryker’s fault. Why did he agree to taunt me like that?

Luna pressed her lips into a thin line, searching my eyes. “I see that you’ve started lying.”

I gulped, my eyes darting downwards. “No, mother.”

“I just hope Kora and Nora aren’t right about you galavanting with men.”

My eyes widened. Those two—

“Get inside,” Luna spat, eyeing me from head down. She had one hand behind her. I noticed the head of a broom peeking from her back. 

In a breath, I jumped, taking to my heels past Luna, who swung the broom at me. 

I entered the sitting room, dodging the blow. But my foot caught a chair. I gasped, my face twisted as I flung my hands in the air, losing my balance.

“Shit.” I pressed my eyes shut, bracing myself to hit the floor with my hands in front of me. 

I bumped against a wall of flesh. A familiar cologne hit my nostrils. My heart picked up pace.

Leonard.

“Be careful.” His iron grip clamped around my arms, steadying me. 

“Thank you,” I muttered. He didn't respond. I looked up and saw him glaring at Mum, who slowly dropped the broom.

“Ash, come with me,” he ordered. He made way up the stairs, and then he paused, faced me, calling out, “Ash.”

The second command jolted me out of my head, and I followed him. 

We got to his room. He closed the door behind him. “Why are you avoiding me?”

I dropped my head, avoiding his gaze. “I was busy—” 

“Don't you dare make me miss you like that again.” He groaned and dropped instantly, cutting my breath off with a kiss.

My eyes widened, then slowly rolled up as I melted against him. “Leo,” I moaned into his lips. “I feel—” I went mute, focusing on the kiss.

“What do you feel?” He asked, as his hand circled my waist, then up my back. 

I didn't know what to say, but my hands moved. I reached for his shirt, reaching for his buttons, then I worked each off. 

“Tell me what you feel, Ash,” He groaned as he kissed my neck, dropping his shirt on the floor. I found his bulge. My trembling fingers pulled his belt off. 

“What are you doing?” He asked, holding my hand. His eyes were dark. “This is wrong—” He paused when I went on my knees and pulled down his pants. “Ash,” he whispered, pressing his eyes shut. 

“Can I?” I asked, looking up at him.

“Have you done it before?”

I lowered my gaze and my eyes widened when I saw the size of his hardened member bulging out of his tight brown boxers. My mouth watered instantly. My heart was panting, but I seemed to have lost control of my body and even my thoughts.

“I have not done it before, but I want to try.”

He raised my chin, brushing my lips with his thumb. “You can try, if you want to.”

I wet my lips, my heart throbbing as I reached for the rim of his boxers. 

“Leo, my love!” Someone called from outside the door. 

“Kate is here,” Leo whispered, staring at me with wide eyes.