Page 90 of Midnight Moon
“There must be a way to use your magic unnoticed. I mean, that must be the sorcerer’s plan, right?”
Asher shook his head. “Even if there was, Chase and I are not familiar with the power of the sorcerers who will be aiding the Coastal Pack. In the time it takes for us to learn their strategy, we could be dead. Our best chance of survival is to end the competition quickly and efficiently.”
More tears pricked my eyes.
I knew he was right, but I just couldn’t stand by and agree to have my future ripped away from me—not without doing everything possible to prevent it.
“Can’t you at leasttry?”
Asher leaned his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Blair… please don’t cry.”
“I’m not trying to.” Emotion clogged my throat. “I-I just can’t stomach it. We have a bond, Asher.”
He lowered his gaze. His expression blanked. “So, you admit we bonded.”
I swallowed, abandoning my defensive denial for the sake of preserving my future. “Yes,” I murmured, “but that doesn’t change anything. I’m the next Summit alpha, and you’re from the Wilds Pack. We can’t be together, but I also can’t mate your alpha. That would be torture for us both.” I held my breath, praying to the Mother that Asher would agree. He couldn’t win and hand me over to mate with his alpha—no male with a mate bond could do such a thing.
But Asher just stared at me, saying nothing.
My certainty wavered.
“Please say something.” My eyes flickered between his own, searching for some hint as to what he was thinking.
Asher reached out and grabbing my hand. The contact made me gasp. Tingles tickled my arm.
“Okay.”
My eyes widened. Hope flared. “Okay, what?”
“I will try not to win the last game,” he said gruffly.
“Really? You promise?”
“Yes.”
My entire body sagged with relief.
Asher’s thumb caressed the back of my hand. “But you should temper your expectations, Blair. If the Coastal Pack comes close to lethally hurting Chase or me, I will not hesitate to win.”
I dipped my head. I couldn’t ask anything less.
“And don’t forget, if the Coastal Pack wins, our packs will be tied,” Asher continued to stroke my hand. I wasn’t even sure he realized he was doing it. “Alpha Kurt will decide the ultimate winner at that point, and I can’t control what he decides.”
“If they win the fight, I’m sure Alpha Kurt will declare them the overall winner.”
“Let us hope that is true.” Asher released my hand.
I felt strangely bereft at the loss.
“Thank you, Asher. I… I really appreciate it.”Ugh!That sounded lame.
It was Asher’s turn to dip his head. “No problem.” Abruptly, he added, “I need to speak with Chase.”
“Oh… of course.” I wondered what Chase’s reaction to our deal would be. I hoped he wouldn’t try to talk Asher out of it. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
Asher’s gaze lingered. I thought he was going to say something. My pulse quickened with anticipation.
But, with one last nod, Asher jogged off the porch without another word.
