REJECTED MATE DESIRED BY THE BASTARD LYCAN BILLIONAIRE

Asher’S POVI watched Nora scrubbing the banquet hall late at night. She looked so tired, barely holding herself up. And the idiot guards I assigned to keep an eye on her? They were only making things worse.One of them was even flirting with her. The way he looked at her—“Our mate,” Koda growled in my head.She is my mate. But I can’t claim her. That would be a disgrace. Someone like me… choosing her?I couldn’t hold back, the shit that guard is doing to her anymore. I walked up to him and slammed him hard against the wall. The others froze.“Get out,” I ordered coldly, my voice low and sharp. They scattered.Then I turned to her.“Apart from having a thief’s blood,” I sneered, “are you also a whore? You clearly enjoyed the way he flirted with you.”She just stood there, staring at me with those pale, tired eyes. Not saying a word. She looked weak. So damn weak.But still… something about her silence made my chest tighten.My father said she’s the only blood relative of the woman wh

Asher POVThe vows were done.The marking was done.The crowd was still buzzing, Vanessa clinging to my arm like she’d just won a crown.My beta leaned in and whispered something in my ear.“The Lycan King won’t be coming anymore. He sent gifts… and says he’ll grant you that one request you’ve been pressing for.”I smirked at that, but it faded quickly.“That bastard is so full of himself,” I muttered under my breath.The Lycan King… always acting like the world should bow at his feet. He’s just the son of a mistress who lucked into the throne because he’s the only surviving heir. He’s so Cold, Distant…Never shows up to anyone’s celebrations. My father’s been sending him gifts for months just to get him here today, just for the honor of it. And still, he cancels at the last minute.I forced my irritation down and glanced to my side. Vanessa was giggling, flashing her friends the fresh mark on her neck like it was solid gold. She tilted her head just enough for them to admire it, her v

Asher’s POV“Ohhhhhh no!”Vanessa’s voice tore through the hallway for the fifth time since she got the news that the Lycan King had claimed Nora.She was pacing the room like she’d lost her mind, muttering under her breath. “How? Did she seduce him? Bewitch him?”I leaned against the doorframe, already tired. “Will you dress up for dinner or not?”Her head whipped toward me. “Why would you even bring dinner up?”“Because, Vanessa—Lycan King. That’s who we’re dealing with. Remember?”She groaned and threw herself into the nearest chair. “I can’t believe I’ll be sitting at the palace dining table with that thief.”“We both know she’s not a thief.”If gaze could kill, her glare could have burned holes through me. “Are you defending her right now?”I didn’t answer. I just pulled my phone from my pocket and started toward the door. “Ten minutes. I’ll be downstairs. You can come or you can stay here and sulk.”Vanessa could be dramatic on a good day, but this… this was different. The whole

NORA POVI knew I couldn’t just lie there all day. I pushed myself up, but when I looked down, I realized I was in pajamas — soft, clean, Someone must have changed me while I was out.I scolded myself silently. You slept like you were dead. My mouth was dry, bitter like old medicine. I couldn’t just walk out like this.I shuffled into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. The chill woke me up, but it didn’t calm the nerves twisting in my stomach.Now I kept pacing by the door, trying to build courage, I needed to step out of the room. Twice, three times, my hand hovered over the door handle. Every time I wanted to step out, my heart hammered louder.On my fourth try, the door suddenly swung open from outside. I stumbled forward, crashing into a solid chest—Derek’s chest. Before I could catch my balance, a maid carrying a bowl of warm water lost her grip and water spilled everywhere.Panic took over. I dropped to my knees, hands shaking as I scrambled to scoop the water back

The nights had started blending together since Madam Kaelene’s training began.Every evening after she dismissed me, Mira,  the quiet maid assigned to my room, would take my hands, massage in some fragrant cream, then slip warm silk gloves over my fingers.It was strange, looking at my hands now. They didn’t look like the hands that once scrubbed muddy boots or bled from hauling buckets. They looked… royal.But while my hands were getting used to this new life, my head was a mess.Dinner with the royal family was two days away. Which meant meeting Derek’s mother.And every time her name came up, Lyra and Madam Kaelene excha