CHAPTER 21
ASHER P.O.V
We had just pulled up at the race track when I saw her.
A familiar figure.
Jade-black hair.
Alexia.
She ran toward a man and linked her arm with his.
My gaze darkened.
That guy from the other day.
Just watching them—
The way she smiled.
The way her eyes sparkled as she spoke to him—
Something inside me snapped.
She had never looked at me like that before.
My fists clenched tightly, veins visible beneath my skin as I struggled to restrain myself.
My wolf stirred violently.
Urging me—
To walk over there.
To pull her away.
To claim what was mine.
"Sir, they're waiting for you," Felix's voice cut through my thoughts.
I shut my eyes briefly, forcing control back into place.
Stay away from her.
I repeated it in my head.
Again.
And again.
"So we're just going to stand here and watch our mate be taken by another?" Ethan, my wolf, snarled.
"Yes," I replied coldly. "For now. Until our enemies are dealt with."
"And if something happens to her?"
My jaw tightened.
"Exactly."
Silence followed.
Then—
"…Fine."
"Mr. Slade, you're most welcome," a man in his fifties greeted, bowing slightly. "Please, have a seat."
"As you know, my boss doesn't tolerate wasted time," Felix said sharply. "So get straight to the point."
"Yes, of course. Ben, start the presentation."
"As you all know," the assistant began, "the Whites have begun making moves—killing and blocking routes at the borders in their attempt to dominate the underworld. It's only a matter of time before they come for us."
"So what are you suggesting?" Felix asked.
"We strike first. Eliminate them. Show them who truly holds power."
"So… you want chaos," I said calmly.
The room fell silent.
"What you want, Garvin, is revenge," I continued. "Because of what the White heir did to your daughter."
His expression stiffened.
"I understand your anger. And I won't deny you justice. But anger clouds judgment. And clouded judgment leads to reckless decisions… and unnecessary bloodshed."
I leaned slightly forward.
"Use your head."
"Felix, how many groups are involved?"
"So far? All of them," he replied. "With the Whites making their move, others have gotten greedy. It's turned into a war—everyone against everyone."
"And the Silvers?"
"Still neutral. No movement."
"Interesting…"
I stood.
"Since the Whites haven't directly attacked us, we wait. Stay alert. Increase security at all our outlets."
I paused.
"And send someone to teach the White heir a lesson."
Felix nodded. "Subtle?"
"Very."
There was a reason I trusted Felix.
I found him years ago—
Broken.
Trapped in a place where people were experimented on like animals.
I got him out.
Since then—
His loyalty has never wavered.
And he remains the only person who truly understands me.
I walked toward the large window overlooking the track below.
"Seems like there's a race today."
"Yes, sir."
My eyes narrowed.
Why was she dressed like that?
A racer?
Don't tell me—
"This girl…" I muttered. "She keeps getting more interesting."
"Best view?" I asked.
"This way, sir."
Even with her helmet on—
I knew it was her.
My eyesight wasn't ordinary.
There were still too many things I didn't know about Alexia Williams.
And that—
Was rare.
"Who are you, Alexia Williams…" I murmured.
The race began.
I expected hesitation.
Fear.
Something.
But—
She looked completely at ease.
Relaxed.
Excited.
Like she belonged there.
The horn blasted.
Cars shot forward.
And she—
Moved like she had done this a hundred times before.
Precise.
Controlled.
Fearless.
One by one—
Racers dropped.
Some fell behind.
Some didn't survive.
My jaw tightened.
Why would she do something this dangerous?
Soon, only two remained.
Her—
And another racer.
The man in the black car.
From the way he stared at her—
He was furious.
"Why does that driver look so angry?" I asked.
"He's been the champion here for two years," Felix replied. "Someone challenging his dominance… isn't sitting well with him."
Garvin spoke up, intrigued.
"The way she drives… it reminds me of someone."
"Who?"
"Mysterious."
"Mysterious?" I repeated.
"No one knows who he is," Garvin explained. "He'd appear, race, win… and vanish. We tried recruiting him. Even offered money. He refused. Then three years ago—he disappeared."
I looked back at the track.
And then—
My heart dropped.
She was heading toward the Devil's Teeth.
"What the hell—" Felix muttered.
My thoughts exactly.
Is she insane?
"Stop the race," I ordered.
"What?" they both turned to me.
"I said stop the race!" I barked.
I was already moving toward the door—
When—
A deafening screech echoed.
I looked back.
And my breath hitched.
She accelerated.
Straight toward it.
No hesitation.
No fear.
At the very edge—
She swerved.
Sharp.
Clean.
Impossible.
I exhaled heavily.
Relief flooding in—
Too soon.
Her tire—
It came loose.
The car spun violently.
Out of control.
Sliding—
Toward the edge.
"Alexia—!"
Time slowed.
The car tipped—
And just before it went over—
She jumped.
But she didn't land.
She was hanging.
Off the cliff.
That was enough.
I ran.
No hesitation.
No control.
I got into one of the cars and sped off.
Too slow.
Too slow.
Too—
I reached her.
She was still there.
Clinging.
Barely.
I pulled her up immediately.
Removed her helmet.
Her face—
Shaken.
Pale.
Distant.
"Alexia. Alexia—look at me!" I said urgently.
Her eyes found mine.
But—
She wasn't really seeing me.
Lost.
Somewhere else.
"You're safe now," I said, softer. "Nothing will happen to you."
She gave a faint nod.
And then—
She collapsed.
My heart dropped.
That's when I saw it.
Blood.
A deep gash on her head.
The crowd was already gathering.
Cameras.
Voices.
Too many eyes.
If she wanted to stay hidden—
I wouldn't expose her.
I lifted her into my arms.
Pulled her face close to my chest—
Shielding her.
Protecting her identity.
And without wasting another second—
I got into the car.
And drove off.