Night Touched

Mate

Lyra

I guess that settles it then; I would be moving back in with my best friend like old times. Only now, Ruby seemed like a lifeline to the normalcy of my former life. So many things had changed in such a short time; and I wasn't sure what to make of all of it yet.

I snuggled into Asher's arms and just breathed the smell of him in; he smelled of Earth and pine. My memory bringing me back to watching Kade shift into his form, invading my thoughts. How was that even possible? I wondered if he would still smell like Kade, or would he smell like Asher?

I heard him, intake a breath before speaking, "Are you sure you want to live in the East side of Aurora with Ruby first? You are more than welcome to stay with me, at my place..." he trailed off suddenly his voice getting quieter.

I lifted my head off of his chest and looked up into his eyes; committing his features to memory. "While I think it's sweet, that you're asking me to stay with you... and I do think, that I would like that.  I really need to stand on my own two feet right now and figure out the mess that is my life first. Besides, until I understand what, exactly, is going on with me; I think staying in the Mage's part of town would be safer. You know how our kinds aren't supposed to mix." I said, my words pouring out of my mouth in a rush.

Asher seemed to consider my words for a moment, "Just say that... you'll think about it. I understand it's fast and you'll need time. Hopefully, you can get some answers; and I can work on smoothing things out on my end. I won't let anyone from the Pack, or the Institute, treat you any differently, I promise."

I could feel the lump forming in my throat at his words. How was I supposed to tell him that his Father wanted me dead for some reason? Or that someone was killing people and trying to blame Kade. Fuck, how do I bring up Kade at all? I wasn't even a hundred percent sure Kade was telling the truth; but my instincts were telling me to trust his words.

I gathered my thoughts and asked him, "Asher, can you tell me more about your Dad? I want to be prepared, maybe about the pack too?"

Asher furrowed his brow and replied, "Well, to be honest, I've never really liked my Father...my whole life has always been about impressing him. Punished for showing any weakness, even when my Mother passed away..." he trailed off for a moment as he stared off into space. "Well,  it's like anything that he could perceive as being a possible threat to his power; he would eliminate at any cost."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you had lost your Mother..." I said my voice cracking.

"No, its okay, really. It was years ago, from cancer. I didn't mean to upset you either, all things considered." He said reassuringly, looking down into my eyes.

He brushed some of my hair behind my ear gently and pulled me into a soft kiss. I kissed him back, pouring myself into him and felt my muscles relax a bit. I repositioned myself so that I was straddling Asher's lap and tangled my hands into his hair.
I felt the world and my worries slip away as we got lost in the moment together. Asher bit down on my bottom lip, pulling it into his mouth and suckled on it gently. We broke from the kiss, and I breathed heavily; just taking the moment in.

"Where did you even come from Asher Thornton? And why do I feel so at ease with you?" I asked him, my voice purring.

"Apparently, the same place as you Ly. I'm excited to show you, how beautiful the mountains are. We can run together." He said smiling a smile that reached his eyes.

"I'm not really a runner," I said scoffing playfully.

Asher laughed heartily at that, "That's what the Pack calls shifting! A little code for around the humans. You know, your wolf is quite beautiful. I wonder else your capable of." He said, his eyes sliding down my body appraisingly, as he ran his hands up my thighs to my hips.