CHAPTER 25
ASHER P.O.V
"What were you doing with Alexia?"
The moment Allen walked in, I could smell it.
Her scent.
All over him.
My jaw tightened.
"Nothing much," he said casually, dropping onto the chair. "Just a little chat. Though… why are you keeping her here? I caught her trying to escape. Not much of a liar, is she?"
Escape.
The word echoed in my head.
So she really wanted to leave… that badly?
"Soo?" Allen leaned forward, studying me.
"What?"
"Why are you keeping her?"
"Nothing serious. She was injured. Since she's able to walk now, she'll leave tomorrow morning."
"O…kay," he dragged out. "But from the injury on her head, anyone can tell it hasn't fully healed."
"So?"
"So it's cruel," he said bluntly. "Sending a sick woman away like that. At least take her to a hospital instead of tossing her out."
My eyes narrowed.
"Why are you so concerned about her today?"
He smirked. "Can't a man worry about a beautiful woman?"
The temperature in the room dropped.
"Careful," I said coldly.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I came to grab a few things. I'll be on my way."
He turned to leave, then paused at the door.
"Oh—and by the way… she was heading here. Said she wanted to talk to you. Might want to fix that charming mood of yours."
Then he was gone.
I frowned.
Talk?
About what?
Minutes passed.
Then—
Soft footsteps.
Faint.
Hesitant.
She was outside my door.
I waited.
For her to knock.
For her to come in.
For something.
But—
Nothing.
The footsteps faded.
She left.
My expression darkened.
So she came… and turned back?
Unbelievable.
She acts like she knows everything. Reckless. Stubborn.
And ungrateful.
I've never cared for anyone before.
Not like this.
And the one time I do—
She avoids me?
I tried to focus on my work.
Five minutes in—
I slammed the file shut.
Useless.
I couldn't concentrate.
Not with her in my head.
So I left.
The forest was quiet.
Perfect.
I shifted.
Letting my wolf take over.
The world sharpened instantly—every sound, every scent, every movement.
I ran.
Faster.
Harder.
Until I reached the top of the hill—
And then I saw her.
Walking.
Alone.
Into the forest.
My wolf stilled.
What the hell is wrong with her?
I moved silently, circling closer.
A small kitten stood near her.
I growled low, scaring it off.
She turned.
I stepped out.
Growling louder.
Warning her.
Telling her to leave.
But she didn't run.
Didn't scream.
Didn't even step back.
She just…
stared.
Straight into my eyes.
The growl died in my throat.
Something shifted.
Her hand slowly lifted.
She stepped closer.
Closer.
And I let her.
I let her touch me.
Her fingers brushed against my fur—
Soft.
Careful.
"You're very beautiful," she whispered.
My wolf—
actually wagged.
Pathetic.
But I didn't care.
Because for the first time…
She was looking at me like that.
Not with defiance.
Not with irritation.
But something softer.
Something real.
All the anger I felt toward her…
Gone.
Just like that.
We stayed like that for a while.
Too long.
Not long enough.
But I could see it—her eyelids growing heavy.
She was tired.
Still pushing herself.
Still stubborn.
I pulled away.
Ran.
—
Later that night, I went to her room.
She was asleep.
Curled into herself.
Her face half-hidden in that soft curtain of hair.
I moved closer, gently brushing the strands away from her face.
Careful.
Too careful.
I lifted her chin slightly, checking her injury—
And froze.
Gone.
Completely gone.
No wound.
No bruise.
No trace.
Like it never existed.
"…How?" I muttered.
Before I could think further—
She moved.
Suddenly.
Grabbing me.
Pulling me down onto the bed.
I stilled.
Her arms wrapped around me as she snuggled closer.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
"If only you were this obedient when you're awake…"
I studied her face.
Closer this time.
That's when I saw it.
A dried tear.
My expression darkened.
She cried?
Why?
Because I kept her here?
Because of me?
Or—
…does she just not like me?
A strange, unfamiliar feeling twisted in my chest.
Sigh.
"Why are you such a mystery, Alexia…"
I couldn't read her.
Couldn't control her.
Couldn't even scare her.
And that—
was new.
Dangerous.
Her past…
It was hidden too well.
But I'll find it.
I always do.
I carefully tied her bandage back.
If she wanted to hide it…
I'd let her.
For now.
I stayed a little longer.
Watching her breathe.
Feeling her warmth.
Then I left.
—
"Sir?"
"Hm."
Felix stepped forward, holding something small.
"Here's the fox you asked for. Strange finding one in that area… I wonder how it got there."
I glanced at it briefly.
Then turned away.
"Give it to her in the morning."
And without another word—
I walked off.