Chapter Five

Aya’s POV

The silence in the castle was so loud that it was driving me insane. 

It had been two weeks since I woke up in this body.

Two weeks since I realized I was no longer Aya Johnson, the discarded omega, the forgotten daughter, the girl who was betrayed by her mate and who was murdered by her sister.

Now, I was Marie-Anne Rose Crown, the noble-born fiancée of the most feared man in the entire Lycan Kingdom.

Asher King.

Even his name sounded like a taboo, something that shouldn't be mentioned lightly. Rumor had it he didn’t smile, didn’t love, didn’t forgive. His enemies were buried in nameless graves, and his allies feared him just as much as they respected him.

And soon, he would walk through that door.

The thought alone sent my stomach flipping into knots. I stood in front of the same mirror that had betrayed me the day I saw her, this new version of me. I didn’t recognize her still. She had poise and elegance.

A sudden, sharp knock came at the door and I jumped.

“He’s here,” the maidservant whispered, her voice was small, and she looked terrified by that information.

I turned slowly, and swallowed hard. “Thank you,” I said softly.

She bowed and disappeared, the door clicking shut behind her.

For a moment, I stood there, frozen in place. I should’ve been prepared, I’d had days of warning. And yet… I wasn’t ready.

How could I be?

Then, the door opened.

Not forcefully or dramatically.

Just… quietly.

And there he was.

Asher King.

He was 6 ft 2 tall, with broad shoulders, his black hair was perfectly styled and his oceanic blue eyes were cold and captivating at the same time. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and tucked in black pants. 

I had always heard from people of how good looking Asher King was, but truth was, their words didn't do justice to his real beauty. He didn't just look like a Greek god, he had the presence of one.

He didn’t speak as he entered, neither did he smile or offer a single word of greeting. He simply studied me from the doorway like he was inspecting a statue someone had rearranged in his absence.

And just like that, I understood why they feared him.

His energy didn’t scream. But it was loud enough to suffocate you.

His whole aura screamed charisma.

I lowered my gaze, unsure of what expression I wore, fear, confusion, awe?

“You’ve changed.”

The words were blunt, cutting through the air like a blade.

I looked up slowly. His voice was deep and smooth, not warm, not cold, just… unreadable. 

Fuck... even his voice commanded fear. 

I swallowed. “What?” I whispered, because what the hell was he talking about?

He stepped closer in precise movements. 

“You sound different,” he added, circling me. “You even carry yourself differently.”

I felt his eyes on me, scanning every inch of my posture, my stance, even the rise and fall of my breath.

His voice dropped slightly. “You smell different too.”

That made my breath catch.

He paused behind me. “Do you remember what I told you before I left, Marie-Anne?”

Marie-Anne.

I had to remind myself that was who he thought I was.

I turned to face him, keeping my hands at my sides. “You said not to embarrass you in your absence.” 

I guess?

His lips twitched. “Good. At least you remember that.”

Okay, how did I guess that right?

I didn’t speak.

How the hell did Marie-Anne behave around her fiancé??

He studied me for a moment longer, then moved to the table near the window. A servant had set out a decanter of wine and two wine glasses in anticipation of his return. He poured a glass and sipped, with his eyes still trained on mine.

“You don’t tremble when I look at you,” he noted, coolly.

What?

Marie-Anne used to tremble in his presence??

Why??

She's his fiancée!!

“I’m just a little tired today,” I lied.

He tilted his head slightly. “Neither do you talk back at me.” he added.

Okay, what kind of relationship did this man have with his so called fiancée??

I clenched my hands into fists. “Listen, are you going to keep circling me or are you going to tell me what you want?” I snapped.

I was exhausted from the maidservants preparing me for his return all day, and I was starving too.

He stood still.

Shit. I've gone too far.

Or so I thought because Asher suddenly let out a soft, amused exhale. “There it is,” he said. “The fire.”

I frowned.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between us in three calm strides. His presence invading my senses like a drug. His blue eyes narrowed.

“I don’t know what you’re playing at,” he murmured, his voice now lower and more intimate. “But you are not the same woman I left behind.”

I said nothing. What could I say?

I really wasn't. 

He leaned closer, his breath brushing my cheek. “And I’m trying to decide if I like this new version of you…”

I stayed still, forcing myself not to flinch.

“…or if I should have her removed.”

My heart stopped.

Removed??

Oh my god.

He pulled back slightly, his sharp expression glued on me, “Tell me, Marie-Anne. What changed you?”

I swallowed hard. My lips parted, but the words were stuck in my throat.

Because how do you explain rebirth?

He will have my heart ripped out of my chest the second he finds out that I'm another woman in his fiancée's body.

I forced my expression to remain calm. "I have no idea of what you're talking about.”

Something flickered behind his eyes, I couldn't recognize it but it definitely didn't look like he believed me. He didn't say another word, instead he took few slow and controlled steps forward. 

I took a cautious step back. “What is it?”

In another swift movement, he was in front of me. His hand gripped my jaw in a firm and possessive way.

His blue eyes bore into mine.

“You definitely know what I'm talking about ” he said with his voice raw and cold. “tell me… who the hell are you?”

“I…” I tried to answer, but my voice failed.

And then—

He captured my lips with his his and kissed me.