Guardian's Obsession (Yandere Naga x Reader)

Chapter Forty One - Shadow's Of Preparation

ASHER POV

Something was not right. Mai had yet again come with the elder to visit Y/N alongside me, that was not unusual even if the frequency of visits had increased. No, it was how they seemed so confused and spoke of Y/N's change in behaviour that concerned me. It had been two full moon cycles since my brother had begun to venture closer. No one had been able to track him down as of yet. Karn was many things, but even now with his mind clearly unstable he was no fool. If he did not want to be found he wouldn't be. His attacks continued with little pattern or seeming reason to them, even his hunting that signs could be found of were random. His territory that was now my own had not even been spared. After losing another young male I made it clear none were to hunt or travel alone, patrols were also to be in groups of no less than three and always in sight of each other. Unlike other lord who took their own measures, calling mine extreme I would not underestimate my brother. Mai had told me of how Karn had even used his skill to reach into the humans territory, forcing Y/N to return to his side.

A part of me clenched in dread knowing now he would have ventured there himself if that had not of worked. Despite our kinds size it had been done before, many times in fact. The aftermath of the unsuccessful visits was some of the foundations of how humans perceived us, their myths and legends weaving truth into fearful fantasy. They could not be blamed I suppose. While we usually left humans alone, if we chose to wage war even their weapons many and dangerous as they are would do little to save them from us. Thankfully only the few were inclined to those ideals now, all of them were exiled for the protection of all. Or dealt with by the high lords over the years. Glancing at Lord Bela now as we approached the den I could see I was not the only once concerned, he too was not blind to the change in Y/N. Looking around as we moved inside I could see she was not inside the den, nor were my nephews. They had begun coming to greet me, an act which never failed to warm my heart no matter how dire the cause for my visit.

I had left Mai and Kirin at the entrance before entering the den, so I knew they did not know where Y/N was going on these walks she had been taking. Lord Bela told me when I first mentioned my concern on her walking alone, that her sons were with her and she left after he completed a full patrol. It seemed she had forced him to promise her that he would not follow them. I myself on her return had tried ton find a trail, something to follow to find where she had walked out of curiosity. However Y/N had been purposefully covering her tracks, as were her sons. A fear struck in me at how much danger she could be placing herself in doing so. Karn had not come close to the high lords territory yet, but we all knew he was working his way closer with each movement he made. Testing how close he could come without detection. While there was unclaimed land surrounding this territory, to even reach that there were several others with lords of their own to pass first. All of whom were on high alert and not weak in any sense of the word. Wearily I forced myself to admit neither was my brother.

I had heard enough of his battle with the high lord to know he held his own, after this much time had passed though he would have built his strength back up. Perhaps not to what he was before, but still a formidable force. His strength was one of many reasons our own father favoured him, mine being close but never quite matching his. "Lord Asher?" Jolting back to the moment I bowed my head in apology as Lord Bela watched me, his intimating form sat on his coils as he looked over at me. His hand still on the newest piece of evidence I had brought for his inspection, the now wilted remains of herbs useless to anyone. "I apologise Lord Bela, I allowed my mind to wander" Looking back I could see a scowl pulling at the usually blank mask his face held during our interactions, his own eyes straying to the opening to archway leading out of the chamber. "She is safe" Blinking in surprise at the larger male in front of me, I wondered for a moment how he knew I was concerned for Y/N. Then I remember how perceptive he was, it was part of why he and his bloodline were so strong and given such a heavy role to play.