Chapter 8
Funeral.
Asher made sure that Claire and Paul had the best funeral. I don’t know how they died. But Asher does. And he won’t tell me. He won’t even let me go to the place they were killed.
I was wondering why and how did someone kill them. They were with us, with the whole pack. Maybe, they went away, and someone attacked them. I don’t know. But Asher does. Asher is acting weird.
And he wasn’t leaving my side. How am I meant to tell him I have a mate? Yes I can just straight out say it, but then, what if he hurts Holden. I don’t know what Asher is fully capable of.
“Asher, I’m going to the bathroom. Can you leave my hand please?” I ask and he stands up
“Okay. Let’s go” he pulls my hand, and walks upstairs.
“Asher, I’m going to the bathroom. I’m having a shower” I say as he walks into my room.
“Okay. I’ll join” he whispers, locking the door.
“No way!” I exclaim, my cheeks turning red.
“I won’t touch you. I promise” he pulls me to the bathroom, locking the door, and checking it again to see that it is locked.
“Asher, I-” he shakes his head.
“No. You can’t change my mind sweetheart.” He walks towards the bathtub, and turns it on.
He undresses and sits in the bath, staring at the wall.
“I won’t look. I promise” he whispers not staring at me.
I nod slowly, and strip out of my clothes trying to forget about Holden, but I couldn’t. I need to see him. I need to tell Asher.
I walk slightly to the bathtub, and climb the steps. Asher still isn’t staring at me. He closes his eyes when I sit inside. He turns the water off and opens his eyes, staring at my face. Not my body.
“I promise I won’t look” I nod going under water as he adds bubbles to the water. Instantly the water is filled with bubbles and foam.
“Can you do this?” He asks a slight smile on his face as he takes a fist full of the foam, and placing it on his chin, making a beard
“Asher” I giggle staring at him.
“Or this” he picks up the bubbles and blew them on my face.
“Asher!” I exclaim sitting up,wiping my face, coughing a little
“What’s wrong? Did you swallow it? I’ll take you to the doctor” he whispers scared.
“I’m okay” I say
“Are you sure? You won’t leave me right?” I shake my head.
“I said I won’t” he nods, staring at me.
“Are you scared Asher? Of me leaving you?” He nods
“I’m scared, sweetheart. I’m scared that you’ll leave me like everyone does” he whispers
“Can I hold your hand?” He asks and I nod slowly
He places his hand under water, looking for mine. When he feels my hand, he wraps his around mine.
“Why are you scared Asher? I know your parents have gone, but you can’t be weak. If you’re weak, then people can notice. They can see through you. You don’t want. Pretend whatever has happened, is nothing. That you don’t care, and that you’re strong” I say, tightening my hand around his.
“Don’t be weak Asher. You’re stronger than this. You can fight this. Don’t be weak” he closes his eyes, nodding at me.
“I can do this sweetheart. I can’t be weak. They’ll come and take you then. I can’t let that happen. I’ll tighten the border. I’ll make sure that they’re 4 guards at every post. I can’t be weak. I can’t let them take you” he nods to himself, stands up.
I lower my eyes, not looking at him, and instead at the water. He walks out of the bathtub and wraps a towel around his waist. I look up at him and he smiles at me.
“Who’s going to take me Asher?” I ask confused.
“They take everyone away from me. I don’t know why. But I won’t let them take you away. Never” he nods to himself.
“Asher I need to tel-” he shakes his head, walking towards me
“Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll have a present waiting for you” he places a kiss on my forehead. He lips lingering on my forehead longer then they should.
“Thank you” he whispers before walking away.
This is a new Asher. A different one. A nice Asher. The nice side of him.
I quickly finish off, and wrap a towel around myself and my hair. I walk out of the room, to see a dress placed on the bed, with a note on top.
I walk towards it and lift the note up and read.
Sweetheart, I’ll be taking you out on a date. Get dressed, in anything you want,but I picked this dress, if you want to wear it.
Asher.
The dress did look nice. It was a skater dress. I could wear it.
I pick the dress up and walk towards the closet. I quickly get dressed, and dry my hair. I curl my hair, leaving it down.
I pick up the black wedges and walk out of the room to see Holden.
“Holden..” I whisper staring at him.
He stops pacing up and down, when he sees me. There’s a burning passion in his eyes, like he wants to say something, but he knows he can’t.
“Layla.. you look beautiful” I smile slightly, my face heating up.
“Thank you” I whisper.
“You’re welcome” he whispers back, staring into my eyes.
He doesn’t move from his place, neither do I.
“Layla...I-” the door opens and Asher walks in.
“Sweetheart I- Holden? What are you doing here?” He asks narrowing his eyes at him.
“I just came to tell luna, congratulations on the wedding. I didn’t get to say it yesterday. Congratulations Layla” he stares at me.
His eyes piercing through mine, a frown on his face. He was pleading me, with his eyes to accept him, to understand him. And I want to do that.
“It’s luna. Now sweetheart, I have a really important meeting, so I can’t take you on your date. Maybe we can go another time” I nod, faking a smile.
“Of course. Work before dates” he nods walking towards him.
“Thank you. For everything” he whispers, placing a kiss on my forehead, before walking out of the room.
He pops his head back in, and looks at Holden.
“When are you leaving? Don’t say too long. And make sure you lock the door outside, so no one can come inside” he glares at Holden who nods.
“Alright. I’ll be right behind you” Asher nods and walks out of the room.
“Holden..” I whisper staring at him, afraid that if Asher comes back, he’ll kill Holden.
“I’ll take you on that date. Dress casual” he smiles, then walks out of the room.
“Really?” I whisper to myself, smiling slightly.
I walk back into the closet, and get dressed into black shorts and a white lacey top.
I walk back out to see Holden sat on the bed. He looks up at me when I stop out. His eyes widen.
“Layla, you look beautiful” he whispers standing up, walking towards me.
“Holden? Is this okay?” I ask
“It’s more than okay. You look beautiful” I blush.
“I meant about Asher. What if he finds out” he shrugs.
“I’m just showing you around the pack house, with a little food on the way. There’s no harm in that, is there?” He smirks at me, playfully.
“I don’t think so. All we’re doing is eating and walking” I smile and he nods.
“And a little holding, your hand. If it’s okay with you” I nod.
He places his hand around mine, interwining our fingers together, and stares at it, with small smile on his face. I know he can feel the sparks, like how I can.
“How about we start this date? Our first date?” I nod smiling.
“First date.”
“A lot more to come though.” He smirks.