Chapter 17 : No, Not Yet

"Alone at last," I said cruelly as Devi and Shian huddled together. At least, Shian had the decency to appear afraid. I needed to make sure that neither of them would lay a hand on Vika again. "What should I do with the two of you? Warning after warning, and you still challenge my patience," I hissed. "This isn't any of your business!" Devi snarled. "That is where you are wrong," I snapped, putting my hands on my hips. "I don't need you to tell me how I handle my servants," Devi said, pointing the finger at me. "No, you don't, but I won't allow you to hurt any member." I waved her off dismissively. Devi rolled her eyes and looked at Shian. It was like she was looking for support from her servant. Did she really not have the strength to face me? I found that amusing since she was supposed to be from a strong bloodline. Devi was about ready to roll over and submit. That wasn't the actions of a princess. "You're nothing but a child throwing tantrums because you're not getting the attention that you want," I told her. Shian tried to take a step forward, but I glared at her, and she stood still at Devi's side. The two of them were toxic. I took a deep breath, reaching deep inside myself for that strong, commanding voice. I shouldn't have used that power that I had kept a secret for years, but I would go mad if I kept watching Vika being hurt by them again. "Shian and Devi, you aren't allowed to hurt Vika ever again," I commanded. It was risky because Devi was the daughter of the late Alpha King and Luna Queen. She should have been strong enough to withstand my command. She might have even been irritated by me. But at least, I would stop that Gamma maid from helping Devi catch and hurt Vika in a few days. A shudder ran through both their bodies. Devi winced, and she stumbled forward, leaning against her bed. Shian glared at me. She grabbed Devi's arm and helped her stand upright again. I cocked my head to the side, shocked by Devi's response to my voice. Why was she crumbling under my voice? She had no power against me. It was like there was nothing about her that was superior or strong. And Shian was just a Gamma. She'd have to obey me, but even she seemed to withstand my power more than Devi. What did that mean? "You have no right to interfere with what I do with the servants that belong to me," Devi said, standing straight. It looked like she hadn't realized my voice's power. "I just did," I scoffed. Whatever the reason, at least my ability worked on her. My mate could be safe for now. "Why?" Devi wailed, leaning against Shian. "What is so special about her?" "She's not you," I snapped harshly. She stood frozen with her eyes filled with tears. Devi gasped. She looked like I'd just slapped her. Yeah, I didn't need Devi thinking she was anything special to me. But she was still a princess, the only daughter of the late Alpha and Luna. If I continued to cross too many lines with her, it'd get back to my father. Before I found a way to persuade my father, it was not a good idea to let him know what I did today. "Please behave like a royal, Devi! Care and protect your pack members instead of abusing them." I sighed, softening my tone. She wiped the tears from her face and asked me, "If I change, will you love me?" "I'm sorry, Devi." I shook my head and left Devi and Shian clinging to each other. On my way to looking for Vika, I kept thinking of Devi's reaction to my voice. Why was Devi so weak, being related to the former king and queen? It didn't make any sense. She was supposed to be of Alpha, but she'd caved under my voice. Vika's POV "Vika, wait!" I had my hand on the door to leave the castle. I turned around after hearing Asher's voice. Asher was running toward me. Automatically, I smiled. He was my savior, my knight in shining armor after today. "How do you feel now?" He gave me a concerned look as his long fingers ruffled the hair stuck to the side of my neck. "I'm well. And I was taking one week off as you said." I held out my arms to show I was fine. I didn't get injured just now, and I even left some marks on Shian's arms, though I didn't beat all of them. "Yeah, of course, you are fine. My brave warrior." Asher smiled and took both my hands in his. I always wanted to feel this giddy and special around him. But would it never change? "Come with me. I wanna take you to a secret place," Asher said. He pulled me into another corridor and pressed his back against the wall. I gasped when the wall opened to reveal a secret passageway behind him. He smirked and pulled me inside. "What is this place?" I asked. It was so dark, but I could see Asher after I got wolf vision. His blue eyes were bright and charming in the darkness. "Secret tunnels are everywhere in the castle," Asher explained. "I know a few of them because Amina and I used to explore them when we were younger." Before I could ask another question, Asher pulled me against him, stealing a kiss in the dark. "Mmm," I moaned, the taste of his lips as sweet as honey. My heartbeat quickened in my chest. His hot lips and gentle touches on my back made me forget where we were or how long we kissed each other. His sigh flew into my ears after our lips parted. "Vika, you'll never know how angry I was the moment I saw what the two as*holes were going to do to you… " He cupped my face. I touched his face and whispered, "Then, you came to my rescue." "It just so happened this time. I should have kept you away from Devi. I knew what I had to do, what I wanted to do." He laid his lips on mine again. The soft kisses sent tickles all the way down to my toes. I giggled. How could he be so vicious to my attackers and then so kind and gentle to me? I loved it. "Then, what is that?" I asked. "We're already sneaking into tunnels and stealing kisses." Asher chuckled, stealing another quick kiss. I whined when he pulled away, wanting the kiss to go on longer. "I want to keep us moving forward so the rest of the world knows we are mates." He looked into my eyes, and our gazes intertwined and could no longer be separated. I gasped, my heart galloping in my chest. Asher wanted our relationship to move forward. I knew what that meant. "Do you want to mark me?" I asked breathily. Asher pressed his thumb against my neck, the spot where he would bite and mark me. I sighed and closed my eyes, drunk off his touch. "Yes, I want to mark you," Asher confessed. He kissed my neck, sucking gently. I moaned and tilted my head to the side, giving him better access. "Everyone will know you're my mate. The princess, my father, no one can keep us apart or come between us," he muttered, kissing my neck again. I wrapped my hands around his shoulders, squeezing his hardened muscles. Yes, I wanted him to mark me so badly that my entire core was filled with heat. I held back another moan. But the inner voice that represented my sanity rang out. 'Get it together, Vika. Stay clam. This isn't the right time and place. You don't want to be confined to the dark passageway like rats, right?' "No. Not yet," I gasped, pressing his lips to stop him. I pushed Asher away a little. I could see the light leave his eyes. "It's my fault. I'm pushing too hard." Asher kissed my fingertip and shook his head. "No, no. I want you to mark me. " I grabbed Asher's cheeks and raised myself on tiptoes so I could kiss him quickly. He put his hands on my hips, grunting in pleasure. I pulled back from the kiss, wishing I didn't have to. "But I would love it more than you marking me. I just think it's not the right time and place for us to mark each other. It needs to be a time when it will be really special, when it feels like we both need it," I explained. "That sounds much more romantic," Asher admitted with a laugh. "Alright, we'll wait." I nodded. Asher respected my wishes to wait. Could he be any more perfect? "There are other ways we can get sweaty together," I said with a giggle. "Oh really?" Asher asked, rubbing his hands up and down my hips. I pushed him away playfully. "Training tonight. We can get really sweaty," I said. Asher chuckled. "Then, midnight tonight in the labyrinth for our secret date."