Chapter 31: THE APPROACH

ASHER

Reed’s laugh still hung in the air, chilling and purposeful, when I made my decision.

If I was going to do this, if I was really going to provoke Reed Jackson in front of half the Academy then I needed to commit completely.

There would be no hesitation, no second-guessing, all in.

“Come on,” I said to Scott, grabbing his hand and pulling him away from Reed’s immediate orbit. “Let’s get another drink.”

Scott followed, his hand trembling slightly in mine. “Asher, are you sure about this? That laugh… that wasn’t normal. He’s planning something, and I don’t like the sound of it.”

“He’s always planning something, when has he never had a plan going on in his head..” I kept my voice light, casual, even though my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. “We don’t have to care.” I told him and we made our way back to the drinks table, weaving through clusters of students who were all pretending not to stare at us while absolutely staring at us.

I could feel Reed’s eyes on my back, I could practically feel the heat of his gaze burning through my clothes, and I love it. I loved every seconds, minute of it. Let him watch, and see that I would never crumble.

I grabbed two cups of punch and handed one to Scott, then turned so I was facing the bonfire— actually facing Reed across the clearing.

He was still standing in the same spot, surrounded by his friends but his attention wasn’t on them anymore.

It was entirely on me.

His posture had changed, it was more tense, and more predatory like a wolf that had just spotted wounded prey and was deciding the best angle of attack.

Callum said something to him, but Reed waved him off without looking away from me. The message was clear: I see you, I’m watching, and you’re going to regret this.

My mouth went dry but I forced myself to smile, ignoring everything including my heart beat which was beating really fast. I turned my full attention to Scott, angling my body so Reed would have a perfect view.

“So,” I said, louder than necessary, “tell me about that project you’re working on for Advanced Pack Dynamics. You mentioned something about territory disputes?”

Scott blinked at me, clearly confused by the sudden topic change but he was smart enough to play along.

“Oh, uh, yeah. It’s actually pretty interesting. There’s this historical case study about two packs in the Pacific Northwest who—”

I laughed, cutting him off mid-sentence.

It wasn’t a real laugh, it was just a performance. A completely fake but from a distance, it would look genuine, and I hope it was because I wanted to prove a point.

I reached out and touched Scott’s arm, letting my hand linger there as I leaned in closer.

“That sounds fascinating,” I said, even though I hadn’t heard a word of what he’d actually said. “Tell me more.”

Scott’s eyes widened slightly. He understood what I was doing now, and to his credit, he played along very well. If this was an academy for creating the best actor ever, Scott would be winning so many awards.

“Well,” he continued, his voice gaining confidence, “the interesting part is how they resolved the conflict without violence. They actually—”

I laughed again, this time touching his shoulder, and standing close enough that anyone watching would think we were flirting which was exactly the point.

The air around us suddenly changed, it was subtle at first, a shift in temperature, a thickening of the atmosphere which made it moody, then I smelled it. Reed’s scent, flooding the clearing like a tidal wave.

Pine and smoke and rage, so potent it made my eyes water and my Omega instincts scream in terror.

Alpha pheromones, raw and aggressive, radiating across the space between us.

Conversations around the bonfire stuttered to a halt, students turned, sensing danger, their own instincts picking up on the threat in the air, the crowd went quiet. And even the music seemed to lower in volume, though I knew that was just my imagination.

I glanced across the clearing, Reed was still standing in the same spot, but everything about him had changed. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides. His jaw was tight, his eyes were pure molten fury, and his scent kept getting stronger. It was becoming more aggressive, more dominant, and more mine.

Several Alphas near the bonfire actually whimpered and moved away, their instincts telling them to flee from an Alpha on the verge of violence. I knew it was making them uncomfortable, shifting their weight, and they began backing up slightly.

Callum put a hand on Reed’s arm, clearly trying to calm him down but Reed shook him off without looking away from me.

“Asher,” Scott whispered, his voice tight with fear. “His scent is aggressive and everyone can feel it. He’s about to lose it.”

“I know, that’s what makes it fun.” I told him, a smile crept on my lips.

“We should stop, this is getting dangerous.” Scott said, fear evident on his face and I scoffed.

“That’s the point.” I told him, “It’s time he has a dose or should I say a taste of what he does dish to people. Let him feel it.

I turned back to Scott and moved closer, closing the distance between us until there was barely any space left.

My hand was still on his shoulder, I could feel him trembling. I didn’t blame him, if anyone has experienced what Reed does to people, they would shiver in fear too but I was glad he had balls to stomach it in.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, quiet enough that only he could hear. “I’m so sorry for dragging you into this.”

“It’s okay, Asher. I wanted to be a part of this too. Even if I am scared, it excites me to see the look on his face.” Scott whispered back, though his voice shook. “It’s just… I want us to mind how we provoke him… I just want you… I mean we have to be careful. Please.”

I took a breath, and smiled at Scott. I am glad he wasn’t going to back down. I am glad we were sticking to the plan till the end, and the next step on my list was the final line, the point of no return.

Once I crossed this, there would be no taking it back. Reed would come for me, and when he did, it would be brutal but I was out of options, out of time, and out of everything except desperation and the need to go down fighting.

I looked across the clearing one more time, Reed was still staring at me with such intensity that I felt it like a physical touch. His chest was heaving, his fists were clenched so tight I could see his knuckles turning white even from here.

He was waiting, watching, and daring me to take the next step, and so I did. I pulled Scott closer, closing the last inch of space between us.

The crowd around us went completely silent, phones came up, cameras ready, everyone sensing that something was about to happen, something explosive, and something they’d been talking about for weeks.

I leaned in until my lips were almost touching Scott’s ear.

“Kiss me,” I whispered, and Scott froze. His eyes widened in shock

“What?” He said almost in a yell.

“Kiss me,” I said again, louder this time. Loud enough that the students nearest to us could hear. “Right now. In front of everyone.”

“Asher—”

“Please, just do this. This will tear Reed apart and make him weak, and I want it. So, kiss me.”

Scott pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. His expression was terrified but determined.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked quietly. “Because once we do this, Reed is going to—”

“I know what he’s going to do.” My voice was steady despite the fear coursing through me. “I’m counting on it.”

Scott searched my face for a long moment, then he nodded.

“Okay,” he breathed. “Okay but if we die, I’m definitely haunting you like I told you before and I won’t stop.”

“Dea, beside its good to see a familiar face in the afterlifel.”

Scott laughed, and his hands came up to cup my face. I could feel every eye in the clearing on us, I could hear the whispers starting, the gasps, and the shocked murmurs but more than that, I could feel Reed.

His rage, his possession, and his absolute fury radiating across the space between us like heat from the bonfire. Scott leaned in, and our lips were inches apart, the suddenly a sound ripped through the clearing.

It was not quite a roar, not quite a growl but something primal and terrifying that made every person there freeze in place.

I looked up, Reed was moving, stalking towards us. His eyes were wild, and feral. His Alpha nature is completely unleashed, students scattered out of his path creating a pathway for him.

Callum tried to grab his arm but Reed shoved him aside so hard Callum stumbled and nearly fell.

“Reed!” Callum called out. “Don’t—”

But Reed wasn’t listening, he was completely focused on me, on us, and on the fact that I was about to kiss someone who wasn’t him.

The crowd formed a circle around us, phones out, and everyone watching in horrified fascination.

The moment everything fell apart because Reed closed the distance between us in seconds that felt like hours.

He grabbed my arm and yanked me away from Scott with such force that I stumbled then he spun me around to face him, his hand gripping my jaw, forcing me to look at him.

“Mine,” he snarled, and his voice was barely human. “You’re mine.”

And then, in front of everyone, in front of the entire Academy, Reed Jackson kissed me.

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