Ashlyn
Sitting with the Alpha King in his office was just surreal to me. But seated across his son, Prince Mason gave me butterflies. He is all kinds of sexy. He was tall, with a golden tan. He has dark brown hair, cut short on the sides and a little longer on top. His golden brown eyes felt like they were staring into my soul and he could ask me for anything and I wouldn't be able to refuse him. It was hard to look away from him. And I found it hard to focus on anything with him being so close to me. I was trying really hard not to blush, but I’m sure my cheeks were pink.
He’s dressed in navy slacks with a white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had the first couple of buttons undone and it was hard not to stare at all his defined muscles. You could see his chest muscles peeking out of his shirt, making me want to run my fingers down his chest. And his forearms were well defined and his biceps were threatening to rip his shirt.
I couldn’t help but wonder what he would taste like on my tongue. While sitting on the couch, I had to cross my legs. I didn’t want them to smell my arousal, and it was getting hard to control my racing thoughts. I’ve never felt this way about anyone and I don’t even know this god of a man that sits in front of me.
“I like him. We should ride him.” Tundra purred in my head.
“Okay, you are not helping!” I scolded my wolf.
The king placing his hands on mine, pulled me from my dirty thoughts.
“Where have you been all this time?” He asked with concern and curiosity.
“I went to the Blue Moon pack with my Aunt Grace. When my parents and pack vanished, I was visiting her.” I explained.
“I thought your entire pack was lost. Your parents and I were great friends. I even tried to court your mother.” He chuckled to himself. “But she met your father, and I met my Rebecca. We all became the greatest of friends. Your mother, Kathryn and Mason’s mother, were like sisters. Do you remember meeting us? We all came to visit about a month before the pack vanished. You would have been 8 or 9 years old.”
“Um……” I scrunched up my nose, like that would make me remember.
“Was it at the BBQ at the lake?” I asked.
“It was. I’m sure you’d remember Rebecca. She was always there with her mother. Mason was always there as well until he started school at 6. You would only have been 4 years old then. He started training and learning from me at 8, so we rarely made it out of your pack, but Rebecca was there almost every weekend or you’d all visit the lake house together.” He tells me, reminiscing about the past.
“I think I remember, Rebecca. She had dark hair and green eyes, and beautiful golden skin. I remember her skin because she would always layer on my sunscreen and I was so jealous that she could tan and I would burn.” I laughed at the memory and the King laughed with me. “But I’m pretty sure I found a photo of Prince Mason and I from that BBQ.”
“I don’t remember Rebecca ever having a sunburn.” He thought out loud.
“Well, of course not! She has beautiful skin. I would love to see her again.” I asked, but looking at both the king and Prince, they were both frowning.
“My mother passed away a few years ago,” Prince Mason explained.
“Oh my goddess,” I gasped. “I am so sorry.”
“It’s alright, my dear. It’s been a few years now.” The King gave me a gentle smile. Mason thankfully changed the subject, to bad it was also a topic I didn’t want to discuss.
“So, what brings you to the academy, Ashlyn?”
“Um… Well… things in my life recently took a left turn, so I left my pack to make a change.”
“Do you care to explain?” Mason questioned.
“Okay, I’ll give you the short version. I turned 18 two days ago. Found and rejected my mate. I also found out about my family’s wealth, so I can apparently do anything I want now. I would trade all that wealth to have them here with me, though.” I explained.
“You found and rejected your mate? In the goddess's name, why would you reject your goddess’s given mate?” King Arthur questioned me, shocked. I looked at Mason and he also looked shocked.
“Um, he’s the future Alpha. He was also my boyfriend of two years. I walked in on him and my best friend. And that was also the moment I found out he was my mate. I rejected him and I left.” I told them with disappointment and I took a deep breath. Reliving that moment was hard. Mason let out a growl. He looked angry, but I’m not sure why.
“I’m so sorry, my dear. That sounds like a terrible 18th birthday.” The King spoke sympathetically.
“Yeah, well, it wasn’t all bad. I found out a lot about my parents and their businesses. And I may or may not have purchased a sports car.” I explained, while biting on my lower lip. I noticed Mason’s eyes changed colours, but then they were back to gold. It was so fast, I might have missed it if I had been staring. The king was laughing at my comment.
“You purchased a sports car?” The king asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I tried to sound innocent.
“It’s the end of November, and you bought a sports car?” Mason asked, while raising an eyebrow at me.
“Okay, hear me out. It’s beautiful.” I told him with a smile.
“And?” Mason motioned for me to continue.
“Oh, that’s it, it’s beautiful.” I said matter-of-factly. And Mason laughed, a good wholesome laugh that could melt you into a puddle. He could ask me for my soul and I would hand it over to him.
“Well, as long as it makes you happy, Ashlyn,” the king laughed.
“So what are you planning to take at the academy?” Mason then asked, full of questions.
“Well, I’m hoping to do some forensics and some advanced training. Maybe even some strategy classes. I still have to fill out all my paperwork. Then I have to find a place to rent or buy. And if I don’t get accepted, I may just travel. I need to stay away from my pack until I can find a new pack,” I answered.
“Why do you need a new pack?” Mason asked, looking at me, confused. Did I not just tell him that my ex-mate was the future Alpha?
“My ex-mate is the future Alpha and my ex-best friend is Beta’s daughter. I refuse to submit to either of them.” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Well, Ashlyn,” the king spoke while leaning back into his chair to get more comfortable.
“I already know you’ll be accepted. And I would love to have you transferred into our pack. Also, you will come live in our pack house, as my guest.” He spoke firmly.
“My….. Arthur” I stuttered. “That is way too much. I can find a place to live and until then I can stay in a hotel. I would never want to impose on you or Prince Mason or the pack.” I tried to explain.
“Nonsense!” the king exclaimed. He jumped up from his seat and walked over to a filing cabinet. Opening it, he was glancing through it for something.
“And about the acceptance, don’t you want to look at my transcripts and test my abilities? I can’t take anything without proving myself.” I told him. I wasn’t the kind to accept things for free. The king came back, took his seat and handed me a file.
“These are all the forms to fill out. I know you are smart. But if you’d like to be part of the qualifying for the training, Mason here can show you the ropes. He’s one of our best trainers and the qualifying rounds start later next week,” he answered. A knock at the door interpreted us.
“Come in.” The king called out.
And in walked Brandon and Liam. Both men were tall, maybe not as tall as Mason, but he’s of Alpha King blood. Brandon had black hair, short like Mason’s, and deep blue eyes. A girl could get lost in them. Liam had blonde surfer boy hair and light green eyes. Both had a light tan and were ripped. All three men would look amazing, even with a dad bod. I’m not shallow. I’m sure I could lose a few pounds.
“Mason, class starts in 15.” Brandon spoke while pointing to his invisible watch. Mason, King Arthur, and I all stood up from our seats.
“Mason, why don’t you show Ashlyn training today? Then you can show her the pack house and give her a room on your floor.” He spoke to his son.
“Yes Father.” Mason nodded.
Liam was wiggling his eyebrows at me. Looking at him, I’m sure my face screamed confusion.
“Ashlyn?” The king held on to my biceps before I could walk towards the guys. “Did he accept your rejection?” He asked with concern.
“No, Arther.” I sighed. “If it’s too much trouble, I can always leave. I wouldn’t want my drama to affect any of you.” I said looking at the others.
“Ashlyn, you will stay. Does he know where you are?” He asked firmly.
“I haven’t told anyone.” I told him truthfully.
“Okay then. Please stay with one of these three at all times. For your safety, of course.” He told me firmly. His comment confused me. I’m not sure why I would need anyone to protect me. But I’m not about to argue with the king.
I gave him a nod, before I wrapped my arms around his waist in a hug. There was no way I could reach my arms around his neck. I wasn’t even sure I could hug the king, but no turning back now.
“Thank you so much for everything, Arthur.” I told him and he hugged me back.
“You are very welcome, Ashlyn.” He pulled away and looked at me. “Now go before you are all late.” He smiled at me and I smiled back.
The boys had called the elevator. When the doors opened, we hopped in. Training should be interesting, I thought, while the elevator made its way to the main floor.