Chapter-10

                                                                        Asher

Panic. That was the first emotion I felt. It hit me like a damn wrecking ball. My reflexes were on overdrive, already knowing what the next step ought to be. I pushed the blonde away and dashed towards the lake almost within the split second of the splashing sound that echoed around, piercing through the thundering music. I caught a glimpse of her from the corner of my eye as she stood there, sipping beer or something. I had every mind to ignore her and keep up with the blonde and her relentless moans as we groped at each other.

But of course, with her standing merely a few feet away, it almost felt like I was a teenage junkie kissing for the first time, not sure what to do. I couldn’t even feel anything. And the moment her scream reached me and I spotted her toppling headfirst into the cold, dark water of the lake, everything, just everything, went to hell. My heart almost lurched into my mouth with fear, my feet moving on their own accord towards her.

“Move!” I growled, pushing through the crowd, who stood there watching and enjoying the drama, not even attempting to help her.

“Ivy!” It was Eli’s panicked voice. And he looked just as panicked as he sounded, ready to jump. But before he could have a chance, I was already in the water, wading towards her as she thrashed around, trying to get a grip. It took me no time to get to her and without even an ounce of hesitation, I curled my arm around her waist to steady her, pulling her closer to me.

“It’s okay,” I said, tightening my grip around her waist. “You are fine…it’s fine. I got you.” Ivy finally stopped thrashing and blinked.

Deep blue eyes peered back at me, wide and panicked as her fingers clenched around my shoulders. And there it was again…the pull. I could almost taste it, something metallic and scorching, as we wordlessly gazed at each other, both panting but not sure for what particular reason. It was a force so strong, a feeling unlike anything I have ever felt before.

Every fiber of my existence was focused on her. The warmth she radiated despite being drenched from head to toe, the way my hands fit perfectly around her curves like the missing part of a jigsaw puzzle fitting into place. The way her full lips were parted, making me pant with the urge to taste them, to see if they felt the way I was imagining them. And above everything…her scent. The sinful, intoxicating scent that almost made me dizzy and at the same time panic with the wave of strange, unfamiliar emotions it brought about.

“Mate…” Mac whispered again, sounding awed. “She’s perfect.”

“It’s alright,” I mumbled, fighting the intense urge to caress her cheek or worse…kiss her. “I got you. You are safe.” she stared blankly at me, our bodies pressed against each other. Her lips parted a bit more and I could feel my breath hitching. I couldn’t stop myself as I reached out and ran my thumb across her lips.

“You are safe,” I whispered, my voice hoarse for some reason. “Breathe, Ivyanka.”Ivy blinked again and within seconds, the dazed look in her eyes was gone.

“Don’t touch me…I am fine,” Ivy said, her voice strained as she tore her gaze away.

She was lying though. We were on the same page with all the train wreck of emotions that was hitting us full force. Her body gave her away and it wasn’t hard to feel the frantic pounding of her heart that matched the rhythm of mine. But her words instantly broke whatever haze settled down in my brain, replacing it with anger and annoyance. And I was glad for it.

“Funny…a warrior who can’t swim,” I retorted tartly. Ivy’s eyes shot back towards me, darkening as she glared at me. I tightened my grip around her waist, holding her gaze and challenging her to contradict me.

“I said…don’t touch me,” she hissed, pushing against my grip. “You disgust me…”

I wanted to say something, but almost half the pack was here, watching us. There was already drama waiting to unfold when everyone officially found out Ivy was my mate…if everyone finds out. I wasn’t sure exactly what we were supposed to do given that neither had accepted nor rejected each other yet, and she has already taken the sacred oath which she refused to break. Not wanting to cause more drama or mess, I bit back my response and let her go. Ivy shot me a look before wading towards the bank.

“Oh my goddess, are you alright?” a female voice exclaimed and as I followed after Ivy, I recognized her to be Naya, Eli’s sister.

“Damn, you are drenched,” Eli muttered, looking concerned as he pulled her out of the water and shrugging off his denim jacket, wrapped it around her shoulders.

“I am fine,” Ivy coughed. “I…I am going back.”

“Let me come with you,” Eli offered softly, and I couldn’t help but notice the way he had his arms around her shoulders, holding her close. And she didn’t protest, further sinking into them. There was an unsettling, heated feeling spreading in my chest as I watched them.

“No, stay…” Ivy said. “I…I will be fine.”

“I will go with her,” Naya offered. “Come Ivy, let’s go.”

“Are you sure you will be fine??” Eli asked again, looking genuinely worried.

“Yeah, don’t worry…” Ivy assured before giving him an awkward one-arm hug and following after Naya. Not even bothering to give me a glance.

My scalp prickled, and even though I felt hot with fury, yet all I could think of was kissing her. Kissing her so damn hard that she wouldn’t be able to open her smart mouth for days. Kissing her so hard that she will finally understand how to behave in front of an alpha. And it appalled me that I was having these thoughts because this was so out of character for me.

This has to be my wolf. There was no way I could be so drawn to her so fast. Or feel so on edge and irritated. Heck, I was a happy-go-lucky person and my motto was to keep it simple and easy at all costs. No woman, not even that drop-dead gorgeous model I met at a party back in Spain had me reacting this way. But this woman...she had knotted me into a mess that I can't figure my way out of, and it's been all but a few hours since we met. Again.

No, I needed to steer clear of her.

“It’s the bond,” Mac conceded. “The more you fight it, the worse it will get. Trust me.”

“Then I will see just how worse it can get,” I snapped at my wolf. “I am going to bring her down to her knees until she begs me to have her, see if I don’t.”

“So…you do want her, but you don’t want to beg, so you want it to be the other way around?” Mac asked. “Hmm, why do I smell jealousy as well?”

“Because you are delusional,” I hissed. “No, I don’t want her but…”

“But?”

“I am going to make her want me. And want me…bad.”

"And then?" Mac demanded. I stared at her retreating back, all kinds of intense emotions rushing through me and grit my teeth.

"And then I will unravel her..." I whispered. "Until all her senses, every inch of her will scream only one name..."

Asher...