002

Asher’S POV

I 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 who stole from the pack. She has to pay for her sins. No mercy.

“You can go to sleep. Continue tomorrow.”

She bowed slightly and tried to stand, but she almost fell. My hand shot out to catch her but I stopped myself. I couldn’t touch her.

As she was walking away, I thought about the one thing I’d been choking on for months, I need to say it now.

“Nora… you should know now… I Asher rejects you as my mate.”

I closed my eyes as the words left me. It felt like a blade cutting through my chest.

None of my family would ever accept her. There’s no point holding onto her.

Vanessa is the one that fits the Luna throne.

Nora turned around slowly, looking at me. Then—she smirked.

“I accept your rejection,” she said.

That smirk. That calmness. No tears. No begging.

Nothing.

My heart clenched with pain. Was she… happy?

“She’s strong,” Koda whispered, almost proudly. “Her wolf is no weakling.”

Nora Den. Even in rags, with bruises on her skin, she’s the most beautiful girl in this pack. She doesn’t need silk dresses to make a man fall to his knees.

She could’ve been a perfect Luna.

“She still could be,” Koda murmured.

“No,” I said flatly. “Not ours.”

My parents would never allow it. They want Vanessa. Her family has power. Their alliance has helped our pack grow.

Vanessa is spoiled and loud, but she’s… easy. Good in bed

**

I slammed the door to my chambers and yanked off my shirt.

That damn smirk.

Nora’s face wouldn’t leave my head. Pale lips, calm eyes… like my rejection meant nothing to her.

I needed to shut my mind up.

But the moment I turned on the lights, I froze.

Vanessa was lying on my bed, dressed in red lace lingerie, her legs crossed, lips painted bright and glossy.

She smiled when she saw me. “Surprise, Alpha.”

I exhaled slowly. "I thought you said you wouldn’t be spending the night here."

Her smile dropped. “Sorry, I thought you'd be happy to see me. Clearly I was wrong.”

Her lips twitched, I saw the flash of irritation in her eyes. My words ruined whatever seduction mood she planned.

“I missed you,” she pouted, dragging a hand down her bare thigh. “Thought I’d surprise my mate.”

She wasn't my mate. But I can’t say it.

I dragged a hand through my hair. I didn’t have the energy for her drama but I also couldn’t stop thinking about Nora’s damn smirk, and it was driving me mad.

I needed to erase her from my head.

I dropped onto the bed, grabbed Vanessa by the waist, and crushed my lips against hers.

Aggressive. Needy. Violent.

Vanessa moaned in surprise, wrapping her arms around my neck as I kissed her harder, pushing her back against the pillows.

She gasped but kissed me back quickly, wrapping her arms around my neck. I kissed her harder, biting her lip until she whimpered. I needed to shut off my brain, my wolf, that voice whispering Nora's name in the back of my head.

My hands roamed her body, not gentle—just fast, angry, hungry.

I dragged my palm down between her thighs and rubbed her clit roughly.

“Ah—Asher,” she flinched, pushing at my chest. “Stop!”

I paused, breathing hard.

“Why are you treating me like a whore?” she snapped, sitting up, pulling the strap of her bra back into place. “Make love to me like your mate.”

My jaw ticked.

She is nothing close to Nora.

She didn’t smell like rain. Her body didn’t make my wolf go mad. Her voice didn’t echo in my bones. She was everything my parents wanted and nothing my soul needed.

“You don’t want that,” I muttered, rolling off the bed.

“I do,” she snapped. “I want all of you, but I need some respect, also your heart. I’m not a fuck thing..

I looked at her, silent. Because she was right.

And I hated it.

I didn’t answer her. I just dragged on my pants and walked to the window. The lights of New Haven flickered outside

Behind me, Vanessa sat there still waiting. Still hoping.

And in my head…

Nora smiled again.

That same damn smirk.

Then I felt Vanessa's arms wrap around my waist from behind. She pressed her body against my back and placed a soft kiss between my shoulder blades, then started stroking my chest slowly with her fingers, like she was trying to calm me.

“In two weeks,” she said quietly, “you’ll finally be the Alpha. And I’ll be your Luna.”

Her voice was smooth, careful, The moment she said it, my head cleared.

That’s the goal. That’s the plan. That’s what matters..That’s my dream.

Not Nora…..I will be powerful Alpha

Fuck Nora…Vanessa is the daughter of a strong family. She’s clean. Proper. She fits the Luna title. The pack respects her. She’s the right choice.

I turned to face her.

Vanessa looked up at me, her eyes soft, and reached up to touch my face. “I love you,” she said.

She kissed me again—this time slower, deeper—and her hands moved down my chest. I didn’t stop her. I didn’t say anything. I just let her continue. She unbuttoned my pants, dropped to her knees, and pulled out my dick..

I stared down at her blankly. My body responded, but my mind didn’t feel present.

I grabbed the back of her head and shoved my dick deeper into her mouth.

If Nora didn’t want me…

Then I would make sure I forgot her completely. Watch her scrub the floors until she’s old and gray.

Let her fade into dust.