Blair POV
I trudged to the upper floor, a bead of sweat dripping off my forehead. I could see the looks on everyone's faces as I went about my work, some of the omegas angry that I had been given a room in which to sleep, instead of leaving the pack house to go back to the cabin on the outskirts of the pack every night. I ignored them. All I could think about was the discussion I had overheard between Brynn and Luna Bianca. The thought of being forced into the breeding program was enough to make my stomach curdle. I had never ever, wanted to give my body to anyone, but my fated mate. Even then, I wanted my mate to be deserving of it. If I was put into the breeding program, I could kiss that hope goodbye.
I walked towards the rooms, oblivious to everything around me, but the thoughts whirling around in my mind. I knew Brynn hated me, but to suggest such a thing as she did, was beyond cruelty. I paused outside of Ashton's room and knocked. Silence. Thinking that he was out training, as most of the male shifters were inclined to do in the afternoons, I opened the door and slid inside, only to halt in my tracks. He was in the bed, naked, Brynn beside him. I blushed and attempted to turn, but his voice halted me in my tracks.
"Stop" he snapped.
I paused, the laundry still in my hands. Brynn giggled, flicking her hair over her shoulders and staring at me challengingly. I frowned. Why would I care that she was with Ashton? But a small part of me felt hurt, as though he was betraying me somehow. He wasn't mine. Yet, jealousy shot through me and I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to push that b***h out of the bed and away from him. What in the hell had gotten into me?
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you were in the middle of..." I muttered, my head bowed low.
I could feel his eyes on me.
Brynn interrupted, sounding smug "It's a good thing we'd finished Blair," she said with some annoyance "Honestly" she hissed "what's the point of knocking if you're not going to wait for an answer? It's rude" she snarled.
"Brynn, that's enough" Ashton drawled, causing her to go quiet "At least she knocked. I can't help noticing though that you're trying to avoid looking at me Blair" he chuckled, sounding amused while my cheeks burned brighter "look at me Blair" he demanded with some anger in his voice.
Unbidden, I raised my eyes, looking at him. Although I tried to deny it, I was attracted to him. My eyes lingered on his bare chest, awed by the strength I could see in his body and his arms as they stayed there, on the bedcovers. I swallowed hard. Brynn looked pissed now. This wasn't going how she had planned at all. Ashton smirked at me.
"Do you like what you see?" he whispered, sliding the bedcovers down and standing upright as Brynn gaped at him "Do you like this body, Blair?" he asked knowingly.
I couldn't look away. No matter how hard I tried, it was like I was hypnotized. Damnit. This was humiliating. My breathing became shallow as he walked a little closer. I felt like he was the predator and I was the prey. Brynn just looked confused and a little annoyed.
Was this some sort of game he was playing? The laundry fell from my hands. Ashton paid it no mind. My eyes dipped to his member and then darted back upwards as I fought back a squeak. He was huge. it was glistening with juices. I felt a wave of revulsion. He was still erect. His eyes narrowed.
"Why don't you take off that shirt of yours" he purred, "let me see what I'm working with. I bet you're well endowed, but it's so hard to see when you wear such baggy clothing" he added with a bit of disdain.
He thought I was going to take my shirt off for him? Brynn gasped. "Ashton, what the hell" she began furiously.
"Shut up," he told her, without turning his head.
She looked flabbergasted. I almost found myself feeling sorry for her in that moment. Almost.
He stalked towards me, his hand reaching out and stroking my arm, his fingers light as a feather, causing tingles to run down my spine. I sucked in a breath. I had never reacted like that to anybody's touch before. Ever. My body began to heat up unconsciously.
"Sweet, innocent, little Blair" he murmured, as though he'd forgotten about Brynn completely in the bed watching from behind "I bet you've never even been kissed before" he added thoughtfully as my eyes widened.
He c****d his head. I gulped. Why couldn't I move? My feet felt like they were bolted to the floor. My body was trembling. I felt like I was in somebody else's body. Brynn gave a growl of frustration and hopped up, putting her dress on and scowling.
"f**k you, Ashton, I'm leaving."
He didn't even turn his head. "No you're not," he said blithely "Get your ass back in that bed. I'm almost finished here" he added and Brynn hesitated and then climbed back into bed, glowering.
"I bet your lips taste as sweet as honey" he continued, his hand gripping my arm now.
My lips parted. He bent his head, his lips coming closer to mine. I could feel myself becoming lightheaded as his lips came mere inches from mine and then he stopped and I held back a small whine of disappointment.
He let out a shout of laughter. "My god, Blair, you're so easy to convince" he smirked, pulling back as Brynn looked on "Did you really think that I, a Beta's son, would want to kiss the lips of a lowly omega like you? I wouldn't dirty my lips doing such a thing" he growled, letting go of my arm as I blinked at him, feeling blindsided.
Brynn let out a snort. "So that's what your game was. I thought you were up to something" she crowed "Oh Blair, you should see your face" she added gleefully.
I said nothing. I merely stared at Ashton as he grinned at me.
"Did you enjoy that?" I asked him, contempt in my voice "Degrading me like that?"
He laughed "I can't help it if you thought I was going to kiss you. Seriously Blair, you're so damn innocent," he told me, narrowing his eyes "You really should just sleep with someone. You would be a lot less uptight" he added arrogantly.
"She won't spread her legs for anyone" Brynn sneered "Besides, who would have her?" she asked incredulously.
I had heard enough. I bent down and gathered the laundry, quietly refolding them all back into their neat piles as Ashton watched with a small smile on his face. My movements were methodical, even as anger continued to reverberate through my entire body. God, I was an i***t. I should have known he was up to something. I was nothing, in this pack house, there was no way he would have been wanting to touch me, let alone kiss me. Why did it hurt so bad though? Why was there so much pain shooting through my chest? I finished the laundry and began to put it away.
"See that's all she's good for, is being a dumb servant," Brynn said while Ashton watched me.
I finished putting it away and began to head towards the door. Ashton gripped my arm, tightly, his grip hurting me as I glared at him.
"What do you want now?" I asked between gritted teeth.
Something flashed in his eyes and then was gone. I yanked my arm out of his grasp, trying not to curse. There was already a bruise forming. "Go back to Brynn. At least she's waiting to f**k a bastard like you" I said "And leave me the hell alone" I snarled.
"If you tell anyone about us" he began and I laughed.
"It's a miracle if nobody knows you two are f*****g, but I could not care less. I have no intention of telling anyone. Make sure you lock your door, Ashton" I hissed "and don't forget to have a checkup for STDs. You never know where she's been" I added, heading to the door as Brynn shrieked with indignation.
"b***h" she screamed.
I saluted her, feeling some of my spirits come back, and then slammed the door shut, smiling as I heard her voice go completely silent. f**k Ashton I thought, ignoring the pain shooting through my chest, a dull ache that wasn't going away, when I found my mate or got out of here, he was going to be the least of my worries. It didn't stop me from wishing he got a horrible STD from Brynn though. One that maybe made his d**k fall off.