Beauty and

Chapter 162 – Asher

Having Bailey turn my offer of accompanying her to the wedding down so emphatically hurt, that I can’t lie. Especially when Morgan was so freely open to allowing Marc to escort her. I had heard Bailey’s arguments for why she didn’t think it was a good idea, and while they made some sense, I still wanted to go. Showing that former fated mate of hers that Bailey would no longer allow him to have control. That she had support now. I wanted to be that support.

But, instead, I had remained in the pack, the way Bailey had asked of me. Left feeling like I was going out of my mind. Finding things to do in order to distract my simple little mind. But so often my mind would wander back to Bailey. Curious how her visit back home was going, and if she was being treated with respect. I had fought as hard as I could to resist the urge to reach out to her knowing she needed space… I had snapped at far too many unsuspecting pack members in my low mood… until I relented and messaged Marc.

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No doubt he would not allow me to hear the end of it upon his return, but he had gone with them, and it meant I did not have to message Bailey directly to ensure she was okay. He could also make sure she was safe for me, because I couldn’t help the sinking feeling within my stomach that she was in danger there. That the former fated mate of hers was dangerous, whether he claimed to be moving on or not.

And those many messages from Marc became something I looked forward to. Keeping me going while I desperately missed Bailey. I am unsure how this had happened so suddenly… she

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bad bere been in my be for anytime, but I already craved her cony and when she was missing, I missed her. I felt alone. so often found myself gazing att photograph Mare had sent me of the three of them, admining how beautiful Bailey looked. She looked stunning Breathtaking. How I wished I could have been there with her on my arm. I could simply not wait to see her Thankfully, she would return today, and hopefully she would ke the surprises I had waiting for her to show her how much I Aad mased het

But then that gut wrenching message had come through to notify me that the upcoming Alpha had turned, he was wanting Bailey, and they were fleeing before the Alpha found her. I was ready to rush there myself. But Marc’s gentle reminder that by the time I reached there I would be too late, made me realize t was helpless right now. I could only rely upon him and the others in Bailey’s pack. So, I told him to focus on getting them out and to let me know the moment he had. I needed to know. Know my beautiful girl was okay.

And the time following was relentless… dragging… feeling like an eternity as so many thoughts ran through my mind as to what could be happening. The fear of Bailey not returning to me was becoming a reality right now, and it filled me with terror. I don’t think I could carry on with her not here. Zion growled at the thought, he was lingering so close to the surface, pushing me to allow him to shift, he wanted to run to her… but Marc’s words echoed in my mind. I would not get there in time. I was of no help to her right now. And that was not a feeling I liked. I wanted to be able to protect her! And so did Zion… she meant as much to him as she did me…

I needed to wait for news. And wait is what I did… pacing the floors of my home tirelessly… as still no news came. I even tried

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calling her pack, but had no reply. I knew calling Marc or Bailey right now would only hold up their escape, so I held back on that urge. No news was coming to me. I just wanted to know my girl was okay. I needed to know she was coming home to me!

I was ready to rip my home apart by the time my phone rang, and I pounced on it with eagerness. “Hello?” I demanded.

A low chuckle came through. “Aww, so nice to have you so eager to talk to me! Somebody been waiting for our call?” Marc’ s voice was loud, and he sounded safe. Healthy. Surely that had to mean they were okay? I grasped at hope…

“Did you get away? Are you all okay? Is Bailey okay? Please tell me that d**k did not get her!” I blurted down the phone at him.

“Should probably have told you that you were on speakerphone.” Marc told me with another chuckle, making me roll my eyes now, knowing that Bailey would have heard everything that had just been said. “But yes, we are on our way now. Picked up a hire car. Switching routes to confuse them. But all being well, we should be back safely. I will keep you updated.”

“Thank the goddess.” I mumbled, my hands trembling as emotion took over me. “Are you okay Bailey?” I added quietly, only imagining what she had to have gone through while being there.

I heard her awkwardly clearing her throat before she spoke. “Yeah I am fine.”

Zion whimpered within my mind. ‘No, she isn’t. She is being brave. Acting like she is.’ he argued, and I fear he may be right.

“Well, you will be home soon enough. We will all keep you safe

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here.” I tried to reassure her. Already planning within my mind all the things we could do to ens her safety once she was in our pack. I would do all I could to make sure no harm came to her! Such a sharp contrast to the man who had first met her, when I had been concerned about any problems she might bring to our pack with her issues at her former pack…

“Hmmm.” She murmured. “Assuming they will let me stay that long.”

“What do you mean?” I snapped, sounding more angry than I intended. But her words only added to the emotions and lingering fear that I could not shake, and likely would not until Bailey was back in my arms.

“Calm down, Asher.” Morgan spoke now. “All she meant is, while we were there, Dad informed her there was a vacancy at the school in the pack coming up. They are likely to expect her to return to work there. That was always the original agreement.”

My heart sank at her words. She couldn’t be expected to go back. Not now. Surely the actions of their upcoming Alpha had to be reason enough for them to realize Bailey was not safe there. No. We needed to do something.

“Well, I will discuss with Caleb. We will officially make her a pack member here. She can denounce the Lotus Shadow Pack. That way there is no way they can dictate where she goes.” I suggested, only able to hope that Bailey did not see this as me trying to control her as she did last time, and this time saw it as me trying to protect her. Simply a man desperately needing to keep the woman he loved safe.

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