Warrior Luna and Her Dispell Poems

Father and Son Talk

Asher stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing as Diana stared at him, wide-eyed and breathless from the kiss. He could see the shock written all over her face, but it didn't matter. Not really.

"Sorry, Diana," he muttered. "It was a mistake."

Diana looked like she’d been slapped, her mouth slightly open, but before she could say anything, Asher was already moving past her, rushing towards the hall doors. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, **Bella.**

But as he hurried inside, trying to catch up with her, a harsh realization hit him. What was he going to say? How could he possibly explain what had just happened? "Sorry, Bella, you constantly give me a hard-on and I kissed Diana to get rid of my arousal."

Yeah, right. That would go over well. Damn it! He cursed inwardly, his frustration mounting as he pushed through the doors.

When he reached Alpha's table, He quickly apologized to his parents. "Sorry, I had to… do something."

Bella sat across from him, her face a mask of calm, but the coldness in her eyes when she briefly glanced his way made his stomach twist.

His father raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze assessing him. But it was his mother, Luna Lora, who spoke first, her lips curving into an amused smile. "That 'something' seems to have left you with some pink lipstick."

Asher’s heart plummeted. Lipstick. He wiped his mouth in a panic, grabbing a tissue from the table as his Beta James and Gamma Sky burst into laughter, their teasing barely disguised. His father cleared his throat, signaling the end of the playful banter as he stood to address the crowd.

Asher shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to focus on his father’s speech. He risked a glance in Bella’s direction. She wasn’t looking at him. In fact, she was doing her best to avoid him completely. Her face remained cold, her eyes distant, and it felt like a dagger straight to his heart. Damn! How could he have messed things up so badly?

As Alpha’s speech ended, the hall erupted into conversation and laughter, the atmosphere turning festive once more. But Asher barely noticed. His mind was locked on Bella, and the icy wall she’d put up between them. Every time he tried to catch her eye, she would turn away, making it clear she wanted nothing to do with him.

He had to talk to her. He had to clear the air before things got worse. But how? He couldn't just blurt out what had happened. Not here. Not now.

Finally, as the dinner began to wind down, Asher saw his chance. Bella stood to leave with her parents, and he quickly moved to follow her. But just as he was about to approach her, his father's voice cut through the crowd.

"Asher. In my office. Now."

Asher froze, realizing that his father was serious, probably more serious than he’d been in a long time. With a reluctant nod, Asher watched as Bella walked out of the hall, her back turned to him, the chance to talk to her slipping away.

He let out a long, frustrated breath and made his way toward the Alpha’s office, dread curling in his gut.

Once inside, his father, Alpha Azriel, sat behind the large mahogany desk, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Asher,” his father began, his voice calm but laced with authority. “Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?”

Before Asher could reply, his father continued. “I’ve been hearing things, Asher. About how you’ve been more aggressive than usual, especially during PE classes. And during your training sessions, you’re distracted, unfocused. This isn’t like you, son. Talk to me.”

Asher felt like a deer caught in the headlights. The words stuck in his throat as his father’s gaze bore into him, waiting for an explanation. What could he say? How could he even begin to explain the chaos that had been wreaking havoc on him for months?

Azriel’s expression softened just a bit, but his voice remained steady. “Asher… something’s going on, and I need to know what. We’ve always been close, and if there’s anything, anything at all, you’re struggling with, we can work through it together. But these past few months, you haven’t been yourself. I didn’t say anything at first, thinking it might just be a phase, but now…” He gestured toward Asher, eyes narrowing. “Now it’s affecting your performance, your image as the future Alpha. And tonight, you are coming in here with pink lipstick on your lips.”

Asher winced internally. Here it comes.

His father gave him a pointed look. “Does this have something to do with a girl? You told me before that you wanted to wait for your fated mate. But now… I’m confused. Help me understand what’s going on, son.”

The weight of his father’s words hung heavy in the air. Asher’s shoulders slumped as he tried to form an answer. He always had a close relationship with his father, but how could he explain this? How could he tell him what was really happening without sounding like he’d lost all control of himself?

Seeing Asher’s hesitation, Azriel pressed on. “Son, you know you can tell me anything. No judgment. I’ve made my share of mistakes in this life, trust me. And I would’ve given anything to have had someone I could talk to freely when I was younger. You don’t have to shoulder this alone.”

Asher exhaled a long breath, feeling the tension drain from his body in defeat. He had been bottling up his feelings for so long that it was eating him alive. Maybe, just maybe, talking to his father could help, if only to release the pressure building inside him.

Clearing his throat, he finally spoke. “I’m… in love with Bella.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Asher dared not look at his father, waiting for his reaction, but when there was none, he lifted his gaze. What he saw caught him completely off guard. Azriel wasn’t angry. He wasn’t shocked, either. In fact, there was an amused smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re not surprised,” Asher said, his voice colored with disbelief.

Azriel chuckled, the deep sound filling the room. “Son, I’ve had a feeling for a while. I imagined you had a crush on her since you were kids. You two have always been inseparable.”

Asher’s face flushed with embarrassment. Of course, his father knew. He had always known. He might’ve even known before Asher did.

Azriel gave him an encouraging nod. “Go on.”

With his cheeks burning, Asher took a deep breath and let the words tumble out. He told his father everything: how he couldn’t control himself around Bella anymore, especially physically, how his temper had been flaring up, how every time he was near her, his emotions were a chaotic storm inside him. He admitted how it was becoming almost unbearable, and how today, in a moment of desperation, he’d kissed Diana, to avoid public embarrassment. And worst of all, how Bella had seen the whole thing.

When he finally stopped talking, the room was quiet. Asher braced himself for his father’s reaction, fully expecting disappointment or anger. Instead, Azriel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk, his expression more serious now.

“So,” Azriel began, his voice measured, “you’ve kissed Diana to get rid of the way Bella makes you feel?”

Asher winced at the harsh truth of it. “Yeah. I know, it was stupid. I thought if I kissed Diana, it’d snap me out of… whatever I’m feeling and get my body under control. But instead, Bella saw me, and now I’ve probably ruined everything with her.”

Azriel sighed, shaking his head slightly. “That was indeed a terrible idea.” But his tone wasn’t harsh, just understanding. “What you’re feeling is normal, Asher. You’re reaching the age where your emotions are more intense, especially around the one you’re drawn to. And from what you’ve told me, it sounds like your feelings for Bella are more than just a passing crush. That kind of bond, especially if she’s your fated mate, will push you to the edge. It’s natural.”

Asher blinked, taken aback by his father’s calmness. “But I can’t control it. Every time I’m around her, it’s like… it’s like I’m barely holding on. I can’t be in public next to her anymore as my control is slipping, but if she is not there, I am acting like a caged animal. I am exhausted physically and mentally, dad. I don’t know what to do. And now she probably hates me after what she saw.”

His father shook his head. “Bella doesn’t hate you, son. But you need to talk to her. Explain things, maybe not the part about your arousal,” he added with a slight smirk, “but the part about how much she means to you and that the episode with Diana was a mistake. You’ve been friends for so long, Asher. That’s your foundation. Build on that. You’ve always had a strong connection with Bella. Trust that she’ll understand if you’re honest with her.”

Asher nodded, feeling a little lighter but still apprehensive. “But what if she’s not my fated mate? I don’t want to mislead her and get both of us hurt,” he asked quietly.

Azriel’s gaze softened. “If she’s your mate, you’ll know when the time is right.”

Asher let out a slow breath, realizing that he had no other choice. He had to talk to Bella. He had to clear the air and tell her how he really felt, even if it meant risking everything.

“Thanks, Dad,” he said,

Asher stood up to leave his father’s office, but before he could reach the door, Azriel’s voice stopped him.

“If you truly feel like you’re out of control, son,” Azriel said thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing in concern, “there’s another option we can consider.”

Asher turned to face his father, feeling both curious and apprehensive. “What do you mean?”

Azriel folded his arms, leaning back in his chair. “If you think being here, around Bella, is too much for you, I can arrange for you to train in the Royal Pack till you come of age. It’ll give you space away from the temptation and a chance to focus.”

Asher felt his heart drop at the thought of being away from Bella for that long, but at the same time, he couldn’t deny the temptation his father was referring to.

Azriel continued, his tone serious. “Think about it, Asher. It’s not a punishment. It’s just another way to handle what you’re feeling. Markus’s program is intense, but it might be what you need. If you decide this is the best path, let me know by tomorrow, and we can arrange your immediate departure.”

He swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Thanks, Dad,” he said, his voice full of emotion and a hint of embarrassment. “I really appreciate that you understand. I didn’t know how to deal with this, but at least now… now I feel like I can breathe.”

Azriel’s stern expression softened. “Nothing to be embarrassed about, Asher. We all go through it, one way or another. At least now I know what’s going on with you, and I can help if you need it. You’re not alone in this.” He gave his son a small, encouraging smile. “But first, go and clear the air with that girl. You don’t want to leave things unresolved.”