Chapter 15: Close To The Truth

REED

I watched Asher walk back to his dorm from my window, satisfaction warming my chest. He looked defeated and broken. Just the way I want him to always be.

“That was harsh,” Callum said from behind me. “Even for you.”

“It was necessary.” I turned away from the window. “Asher needs to understand that I’m not someone he can fight. The sooner he accepts that, the easier this will be.”

“Easier for who?” Callum asked, his brows raised.

“For both of us.” I answered. I couldn’t lie, there was something about Asher that is driving me nuts, and I need to get answers before it consumes me whole.

Callum shook his head. “You know he’s not going to actually disband the group, right? He’s just going to take it underground.”

“I know.” I sat down at my desk. “That’s what I want.”

“I don’t understand you sometimes.”

“I want him to fight back, Callum. I want him to scheme and plot and try to outsmart me.” I leaned back in my chair. “Because when he finally realizes he can’t win, when he finally submits to me, it’ll mean something. It’ll be real.”

“And in the meantime, you’re going to torture him?” He asked.

“I’m going to push him, test him, and see how far he’ll go before he breaks.”

“And if he doesn’t break?”

I smiled. “Then he’s worthy of me.”

Callum sighed. “You’re insane.”

“Probably.” I admitted, but I didn’t care because every time Asher fought back, every time he refused to submit, every time those blue eyes flashed with defiance, I wanted him more, and I was going to have him. One way or another.

The next day, I made sure to arrive at the training arena early, positioning myself where I’d have the best view of Asher.

When he walked in, I couldn’t help but stare.

There was something about the way he moved, fluid, graceful, and completely unlike any Alpha I’d ever seen.

He was wearing a tank top today, and I found my eyes tracing the lean muscles of his arms, the curve of his neck, and the way his platinum blonde hair caught the sunlight.

Stop it, I told myself. Focus but I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop watching him stretch, I couldn’t stop noticing the way his body bent and flexed, I couldn’t stop imagining what it would feel like to have him beneath me, submitting, mine-

“You’re staring again,” Callum muttered beside me.

“Observing,” I corrected.

“You’re practically drooling.” He mocked, and I tore my eyes away from Asher, annoyed.

“I am not.” I answered, even though I wasn’t true to myself.

“Reed, everyone can see it. The way you watch him. It’s… intense.”

“So?”

“So maybe dial it back a little? You’re supposed to be breaking him, not eye-fucking him in front of the entire Academy.” Callum pointed out.

I shot Callum a warning look. “Watch it.”

“I’m just saying-”

“I know what you’re saying, and I don’t care.” My eyes drifted back to Asher, who was now partnering with Scott for warm-up drills. “He’s mine. I can look at him however I want.”

“He’s not yours yet.” He reminded me.

“He will be.” I told him with self assurance.

Coach Maddox blew his whistle. “Alright, listen up! Today we’re doing sparring rotations. When I call your name, you’re up. No holding back. This is about learning to fight like your life depends on it.”

He started calling out pairs.

I waited, knowing what was coming.

“Graham! Jackson! You’re up!”

Perfect.

Asher’s eyes met mine across the arena. I could see the dread in them.

Good. He should be afraid, because that’s how I want him to be. Afraid and needing me.

We stepped into the ring.

“Standard rules,” Coach Maddox said. “First to submit or get pinned for a ten-count loses. Begin!”

I didn’t give Asher time to prepare.

I moved fast, closing the distance between us in two strides. My fist connected with his ribs, right where I knew they were still healing from the forest.

Asher gasped in pain, stumbling backward. I didn’t let up.

Another hit to his side. A sweep to knock his legs out from under him. A grab to his arm to pull him off balance.

Within thirty seconds, I had him on the ground, my knee on his chest, my hand around his throat.

“Submit,” I growled.

Asher glared up at me, defiant even in defeat. “No.”

I tightened my grip slightly. Not enough to truly hurt him, but enough to make my point.

“Submit, Asher.” I warned

“Fuck. You.”

God, he was magnificent when he was angry. I leaned down close, so only he could hear.

“You know what I love about you, Graham? You never know when to quit. It’s going to be so satisfying when you finally do.”

“I’ll never submit to you,” Asher hissed.

“We’ll see.”

I released him and stood up, offering my hand. Asher ignored it, standing on his own.

“Winner: Jackson!” Coach Maddox announced.

The crowd applauded politely, but I wasn’t paying attention to them. I was watching Asher limp back to his side of the arena, watching him wince with every step, and I was watching the way he kept his head high despite the pain, and despite the humiliation.

Despite everything.

God, I wanted him and I wouldn’t stop until I did and that fuels me up to follow him every opportunity I got.

That evening, I knew I was crossing a line, but I couldn’t help myself.

I’d been following Asher since he left the dining hall, keeping to the shadows, watching as he made his way across campus.

He was heading toward the old library building, the one that was supposed to be closed for renovations.

What was he doing there?

I followed him inside, careful to keep my distance.

Asher climbed the stairs to the third floor, then disappeared into one of the storage rooms.

I waited a moment, then crept closer.

Through the crack in the door, I could see him. He was alone, sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, and he was injecting himself with something.

My entire body went on alert.

What the fuck was that?

I watched as Asher pushed the plunger down, wincing as the liquid entered his system. Then he disposed of the syringe in a small case and hid it in his bag.

A drug. Asher was taking some kind of drug, but why?

Was he sick? Injured? Or was this something else entirely?

I needed to know, but before I could move, Asher stood up and headed for the door.

I barely had time to hide before he walked past, so close I could smell his scent, and it was different.

Stronger, more Alpha like whatever he’d injected had changed his pheromones.

What the fuck are you hiding, Asher Graham?

I waited until he was gone, then slipped into the storage room. There was nothing there except some old furniture and dust, but I’d seen what I’d seen.

Asher was hiding something. Something big, and I was going to figure out what it was. Even if it meant breaking every promise I’d made.

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