an Everlasting Pursuit

forty seven

Why were they in my room?

Who even said they could sleep in my room?

With my hands on my hips, I glared down at the suspect, my eyes narrow and lips pursed with distaste. He moved upon hearing me huff, a small grumble of awareness escaping his throat. Peeking one of his blue eyes open, he rolled over onto his back. I had a hard time not dropping my gaze to stare at his barely clad body; I have to admit.

"Good morning." He rasped.

Goosebumps rose on my arms as his morning voice caressed my ears and I suppressed the shiver as it tried to roll down my spine. Blue clashed with blue as he raised himself up onto his elbows in alarm. I staggered back a step at the sudden urgency when he shot up from my bed and grabbed my shoulders in his hands.

I winced when his fingers prodded at my jaw, sharp twinges of pain shooting along my skin. "Asra..."

He growled. "Stay still."

My lips parted in protest when he tilted my head, my eyes falling to the ceiling.

"Tulip." He breathed, pulling my face back to him.

I swallowed at the warning held in his eyes, my heart racing with fear. His touch was gentle, but his face was stern. I was afraid I may have offended him.

"Yes?" I whispered.

"Who did this to your jaw?" He asked.

I felt my throat constrict, my adrenaline rising as my panic settled in. I couldn't tell him. There would be repercussions for my actions. There always was. Blake will know I tattled on him and it will come back to bite me in the ass.

"Tulip, I will not ask you again," Asra warned.

"I can't." I whimpered.

His eyes blazed, his fingers flexing on my jaw before they moved to cradle my shoulders. "Tulip, you need to tell me."

I shook my head, keeping my lips firmly shut. I just wanted to run, to go into the bathroom and pretend nothing was happening.

"If you tell me, I won't do anything." He spoke calmly.

He was trying to appear cool and collected, but I could see the fire in his eyes, the beast eager for a hunt. He was taunting me, edging me on to fall for his trap.

"Okay, if you won't tell me, I will just find out myself." He grunted.

I gasped with surprise, my hands reaching out to grab him just as he let go of me to pass by. He stopped at the contact, his eyes dropping to where my skin touched his bare arm. Dark eyes flashed up at me and within a second, he pressed me against the wall. My robe fell free, and I scrambled to pull it back around my body.

His arms caged me in, biceps brushing against my cheeks as I tried to catch myself. He was inches away from me, his breath fanning my nose as he tried to keep the growling to a minimum.

"Did Blake do this to you? Is this why you are so afraid?" He breathed, leaning over me.

I remained silent, too stunned at the abrupt change of my morning to even comprehend what was going on right now.

"Rio spoke to me earlier, saying that he came to see you after having a feeling that you were uncomfortable. As my beta, he reports everything to me." He explained softly, but I winced at the memory of the man in my room.

"Did he come to speak with you?"

"Yes." I whispered.

"Did you lie to him like you are to me?"