Chapter 4 - Asher's POV

Enid struggled against my grasp clearly intent, on making this as challenging as she could. Her wrist turned, her breaths were uneven. She continually shot me looks as though I had spoiled her most cherished holiday. I held on firmer—not to cause pain but enough to remind her she wasn’t escaping this discussion. Not this evening.

The only thing pounding in my mind was a persistent idea. Keep her safe. From challenges, drunken predators and the sort of danger she encountered with innocent eyes and zero caution. Jasper had placed his trust, in me to look after her. I assured him nothing would go wrong while he managed the territory.. Yet there she stood, about to kiss some unfamiliar guy as if it was meaningless.

“You’ve totally gone crazy " I retorted.

She jerked her hand away soon as I released it massaging her wrist as if I had pulled her through a briar patch. "You don’t get to command my lips, Asher.”

“That is not what this is about.”

“Honestly since it seems like that.”

Her tone grew louder. I moved nearer. She moved nearer well though she hadn’t intended to. The gap, between us narrowed until the air seemed warmer, denser, difficult to inhale. Her eyes shimmered in the firelight coming from the off clearing.. Maddening.

“You might have gotten injured " I remarked. "You don’t think ahead. You rush into situations. You don’t even know that person.”

“It was a dare. A kiss. Not a life commitment.”

“That is not the point.”

“What is the point then, Asher.”

Carelessness leads to outcomes. You belong to this group. You are not allowed to mess around like that.

She crossed her arms. "You aren’t the one to choose the games I engage in.”

My tolerance wore thin. My wolf urged me on, uneasy, striding up and down beneath my ribs. Her smell, her tone, her nearness, everything, about her made my skin feel tense. She continuously glanced at me as if to argue yet desiring something different all at once.

“You don’t just go around kissing anyone who passes " I remarked. "Jasper relied on me to protect you.”

Her gaze softened momentarily. "I wasn’t aware that being safe equated, to being dull.”

“It signifies remaining alive.”

We debated, moved nearer debated more. With each phrase our breaths intertwined. With every moment I sensed my body tilting toward hers as if gravity had developed its character and picked a side.

Her tone lowered. Gentle. Almost a murmur.

“Mate.”

The word struck me forcefully than any blow I'd ever endured. I recoiled as if her breath had scorched me. My lips were a heartbeat away, from hers. One more instant. I would have crossed a boundary I had no entitlement to cross.

She grinned.. Knowingly. Slightly overly sure of herself.

“We are companions Asher " she stated. "I can sense my wolf murmuring it to me.”

I gulped. My wolf remained silent. Then he howled. He scratched. He insisted.

Gentle was not his style.

I despised that he was correct.

Enid grounded herself as if prepared for the challenge. Her gaze was intense piercing the remaining calm, within me. "Even if I had kissed him " she declared, "it wouldn’t have made a difference. We belong together.”

The word pierced me more. My wolf surged ahead exhilarated, vocal certain she spoke the truth as if it were etched in the heavens.

I pushed him down.

“That’s beside the point " I replied. "You don’t make out with people, at gatherings. You shouldn’t place yourself in scenarios where anything might occur. You cannot be so reckless.”

She sneered. "You keep using 'cannot' as if you possess the term."

“My goal is to ensure your safety.”

“You pulled me out of a party as if you were defusing a bomb on the scene.”

“That’s the feeling I got " I responded sharply.

She looked at me like she had just come to the conclusion that I was, beyond help. "You believe everything poses a danger.”

“I believe dangers are real " I stated. "The world isn’t kind Enid. Individuals suffer.”

“So now kissing someone is considered risky.”

“It might be " I replied, louder than I intended. "You have no idea who is observing. Who could be intrigued. Who might seek to exploit you to reach this group.”

She stared at me momentarily shocked then nodded her head in disbelief. "You are incredible.”

I ran a hand through my hair attempting to steady my breath amid the irritation the strain, the connection tearing at me. "You don’t realize what’s out there.”

“Then explain it.”

I parted my lips shut, them back, then breathed out. "This isn’t, about mates or affection. This concerns risk.”

However she refused to release. Not, at this moment.

“What are your thoughts, on the mate bond?" she inquired. Her tone was firm. Too firm. "Do you consider it real?

I stood still.

Her gaze met mine. Anticipating. Longing.

My wolf swelled, poised to voice my thoughts. I pushed him inside.

“It isn’t genuine " I stated.

The falsehood settled between us like a rock. Her face changed, gradually and agonizingly from prepared for conflict to something delicate more vulnerable. She moved backward crossing her arms over her chest as if seeking a shield.

“Oh " she murmured softly.

I despised how it sounded.

“You shouldn’t depend on legends " I said, as if I was set on spoiling everything. "Some things in life hold importance, than ancient tales.”

Her jaw clenched. The sadness, in her eyes was subtle not overt or theatrical. It was gentle. Silent. The type that stayed.

“I wish to return home " she stated. "By myself.”

My chest constricted. "Enid.”

“Do not follow me.”

Before I could respond she looked away. Her boots rustled through the leaves as she strode toward the light of the fire her shoulders tense, her pace brisk. My wolf pressed inside me enraged, restless, eager to follow her.

I remained in my spot panting heavily gazing at the spot where she had been standing.

I had deceived her.

And she had believed me.