Page 94 of Challenged Mate
The sun hit my face when I exited the tent, but it did nothing to warm the cold that crept over my body.
In the distance, Asher and Chase kept walking. Kayla and I trailed after them. They moved too fast for us to catch them.
“I’m sorry,” Kayla murmured.
I looked away from my deceptive, fated mate. Genuine remorse painted her face.
“Why?”
Kayla bit her lip, dropping her hold on my elbow. “When you first arrived in Alaska, Asher pulled me aside and explained how he won the Alpha Games.”
We stepped off grass and onto the asphalt street, moving towards the lots filled with a few cars and many four-wheelers.
Kayla continued, “He didn’t ask me to lie about him being alpha, but he asked I avoid revealing it if possible.”
My temper flared. Again, I asked, “Why?”
“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “Axel and I both tried to tell him that his secrecy would cause more harm than good, but he insisted. That was before I knew you two shared a bond.”
My hands trembled.
How much grief would I have been spared if I’d known the Wilds Pack alpha and my fated mate were one and the same?
How many nights had I tossed and turned, wondering how I was going to go through with honoring the Alpha Games prize while my soul yearned to be with another?
Why would Asher let me suffer like that?
As if sensing the tide of my rising temper, Asher stopped walking at the corner of the next cross street.
My feet ground to a halt, refusing to move any closer.
I wanted answers, but I was also afraid of them. Despite what transpired between us last night…
The feel of his body pressed against mine filled my mind.
The way he held my face like I was the most precious thing he’d ever touched…
There were plenty of moments when Asher could’ve told me the truth.
But he didn’t.
“You should talk to him,” Kayla’s whisper was pointless. The males ahead would hear every word.
“No.” I took a step back, prepared to retreat to lick my wounds. “There’s nothing to say.”
Kayla pressed her lips together, but she didn’t push me.
Her brother, however, had no qualms about doing so.
In a blink, Asher appeared in front of me. I stumbled back, still unused to his impressive speed.
Asher grabbed my arm to steady me. I immediately pulled away. “Don’t touch me.”
Asher’s hand fell to his side.
Our eyes locked.
I held my breath, waiting for an explanation.
