Page 112 of Midnight Moon
I wouldn’t let this happen.
My fate would not be decided by some stupid competition. I don’t care what the rules said, I would not mate with the Wilds Pack alpha.
With my eyes still closed, I didn’t see Asher’s approach.
But I couldfeelit.
His presence felt like the sun’s warmth on a spring day—comforting and reassuring—but it wasn’t enough to chase away the dark thoughts clouding my mind.
I opened my eyes and looked at Asher, but his eyes weren’t on me. He stared over my shoulder at my father.
“You almost lost,” my father said, sounding annoyed.
Asher’s gaze narrowed. “I never agreed to your plan.”
Plan?
My father hissed, then pitched his voice low, “Silencing barrier. NOW.”
Wait… what?
The next moment, I felt the now-familiar pressure of magic surrounding me. My eyes widened, and my head swung from Asher to my father.
He knew about Asher’s magic.
He knew, and he didn’t tell me!
“What’s going on?” I asked my father. “What plan are you talking about?”
He ignored me. “You know the danger she’s in,” he told Asher. “Your kind vowed to protect her, and you almost failed.”
Asher straightened his back. A storm brewed in his eyes. “Mykindwould have helped her, with or without your unnecessary interference.”
My father hopped over the railing and stomped towards Asher. He jabbed a finger in Asher’s chest and growled, “Your performance in that fight nearly signed her death warrant, you foolish mutt!”
Standing beside Asher, Chase snarled.
Asher held up a hand, staying his friend’s actions.
“Dad!” I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, putting myself between him and Asher. “Stop this. Right now.”
My father brushed me out of the way, once again getting in Asher’s face. “You will leave tonight and take her with you.”
His words were a punch to the gut. I nearly doubled over.
“Dad?” He couldn’t be serious. “What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
Tired, green eyes finally met my matching pair. “This is for the best, Blair. Trust me.”
I lost it.
“Trust you? You’ve been avoiding me for days, and you aren’t explaining anything! How am I supposed to trust you?”
My father sighed. He turned back to face Asher, but I was done being ignored.
“No.” I forced myself into his line of sight. “No! You will explain yourself. Why would you want me to go to the Wilds Pack? Don’t you want me to become alpha? Do you not think I’m good enough anymore?” I released my deepest fears, praying to the Mother I was wrong.
My dad ran a hand through his dark blond hair. He stared at the night sky, then the ground. He looked everywhere, but at me. “Now is not the time for this conversation, Blair.”
