Blood of Ash

Chapter 12: Asher POV

I walked in the school hallway just in time to see Jackson kissing Bella. However, I saw her struggling and trying to push him away. I'm not sure why I got involved. I knew she could take care of herself. However, next thing I knew, I had Jackson by the throat pushed up against my locker.

"I told you to leave her alone, Jackson," I said in my alpha voice.

He shoved me off him and said, "I told you six years ago, brother, she was mine."

I grabbed him again and snarled, "You know damn well why you can't have her."

All of a sudden, Bells had grabbed both of us and flung us to the sides. She started yelling at both of us and in the process announced that we were dating. Part of me felt nothing but pride and joy at those words, but I still felt her anger.

"Bells," I tried.

She snarled, "Save it, Ash. I'm going home."

She shoved through the crowd of people and ran out into the parking lot. I growled at Jackson one last time and unleashed my alpha aura, making everyone let me through. I grabbed Bella's hand and dragged her into the woods where we could have some privacy. That entire conversation broke my heart to hear, but seeing the look on her face when I refused to tell her I love her just ripped me to shreds. I just couldn't face another rejection and refused to hurt her again so I let her go, figuring she was running home.

It was about 2 hours later and Alex was in my room. He looked up and i immediately knew something was wrong. He said, "Asher? Where's Bella?"

I shrugged. "I followed her after that fight but she ran away from me. I figured she went home. Why?" He showed me his text messages, showing Emily being worried cause Bells hadn't shown up. "She hasn't been there? Like at all?"

He shook his head and I yanked on our bond. When there was no response, I forced myself to calm down. She had to be okay. I was starting to hyperventilate when Alex said, "They we're wondering if you would go look in the woods for her. Em said you're the only one that knows her hiding places."

I nodded. "Of course. She didn't even need to ask. I'll let you know if I find her."

I took off running. As soon as I got in the woods, I was in my wolf form. There was only one place she would go and I felt the need to hurry. I needed to find her. The clearing was my birthday present for her when she turned 12. It was our place. It was where I first fantasized about being her first love. I didn't even care if she was still mad at me at this point. I had to find her and tell her.

I smelled her, but it was faint, until I approached the cabin. I tugged on our bond and felt a glimmer of a response. Sighing in relief, I returned to my human form. My shirt was ruined, so I slid my pants on and prayed that I didn't have to explain too much. I opened the door and found her curled up in the bed.

I was able to breathe a bit easier and rushed over to check on her. I sat on the edge of the bed and brushed her hair out of her face. I gently pulled her over and let her rest her head on my lap. I texted Alex telling him I found her and that she was safe and then went back to brushing her hair trying to soothe her.

She slowly started to wake up and I whispered, "Shhhhh, Bells, relax. You can sleep if you want to. I got you."

Groaning she started to sit up and said, "Ash? I thought I told you I didn't want to talk to you."

I smiled softly. "You did, Bells. I'm sorry, sweet. Your family was worried about you. So I came to look for you."

She looked over at me and said, "Why?"

I was shocked. "Bells, do you really think that just because I couldn't say those words I don't care about you?" She looked away and I knew I was right. I took her face in my hands and looked her in the eyes. "Bells, I will always care about you. The only reason I didn't follow in the first place is because I didn't want to hurt you and I couldn't stand that rejection. You're the only one I want. Okay, Bells?"

She nodded. "Why aren't you wearing a shirt?"

I smiled. "I don't know if that's something you're ready for, Bells."

"Asher, please. Stop hiding stuff from me."

I sighed. "I know what you are, Bells." She started to deny everything. "Bells, don't lie to me. I've known since I met you."

She froze. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

I sighed. "Bells, haven't you found it odd that I live farther away from school than you do but get there before you? and there's never a car there?"

"Now that you mention it, yeah."

"Don't you find it odd thathat I stopped you from hurting anyone else the other day?" She nodded. "Bells, I'm like you. I'm not human."

She whimpered and I felt her fear. I pressed my forehead against hers and whispered, "Bells, I'm not afraid of you. I've never been afraid and I've known you weren't human for years. How did you think your sister's blood got off your face? I took care of both of you. I cleaned you up enough so no one knew and got her the medical attention she needed. Bells, please don't be scared of me. I'm the same person you've always known."

She shook her head. "What do you mean about my sister's blood?"

I nudged her. "Remember 3 years ago when Lilly got hurt?" she nodded. "Who do you think stopped you from killing her? who do you think washed her blood off of your face? You know it's me. You know my scent. I know you know."

She shook her head. "No. That's not true. if that was the case then-" she paused and looked at me weirdly. "Wouldn't that mean you're not human? Then what are you?"

I whispered, "Do you want to see?" She nodded. "Will you tell me what you are first?"

"I'm a vampire born to a family of humans," she whispered with tears trickling down her face.

I smiled and said, "I'm gonna show you what I am, Bells, but I want you to remember it's still me, okay?"

She nodded and I slid my pants off before shifting back into my wolf form. I stayed far enough away so as to not scare her. She let out her breath instantly and said, "Can I touch your fur?" I nodded and held my breath waiting for her reaction. She touched my fur and squeaked, "It's just like your hair. Ash, you're so soft."

I rumbled in pleasure and nodded towards the bed. She nodded and sat back down as I shifted one more time. I was too big as a wolf and I yearned to feel her skin on mine. As soon as I was back in my human form, I knelt in front of her. "Bells, there's something else. Remember when I said Jackson knew why he couldn't have you?"

She nodded. "Are you gonna tell me what that means?"

"Bells, I'm not just any werewolf. I'm a true blood alpha. And I've known since the day I met you that you were my mate. I refused to say anything to you because I wanted it to be your choice, but the day he said you were going to be his wife, Bells, I almost killed him that day. That's why he left. And he knows that I'll let you be with whomever you want to be, so long as it's your choice, but until you make that choice, I've seen you as mine."

She tugged on our bond and I whimpered. "Is that what this is?" I nodded. "So you don't love me?"

I growled. "Bells, I never once said that. I've purposefully refused to say it in case you decide you don't want this. You have every right to choose."

I felt her pain and her tiredness as she said, "I don't want to choose."

I pressed my forehead against hers and whispered, "Bells, I know you don't want to. Kitten, you need to decide. When you drink my blood during the mating, your frenzies will stop and you won't feel this pain or tiredness anymore. Yes, I want you to choose me, obviously, however I'm not trying to convince you to. It's 100% your choice."

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll wait outside and let you decide."

I stood up to leave, but she grabbed my hand and looked up at me. "I don't want anyone else, Ash. I want this, Ash. I want you."

I smiled and pushed a kiss against her forehead. "You realize that once the mating is done that it's you and forever, right?" She nodded. "And you still want to mate with me?"

She pulled me down and kissed me. "Just tell me what to do."

I whispered, "Bells, once we start, I don't think I'll be able to stop. I need you to be sure about this."

She nipped my lip and whispered, "Asher, stop talking so much. I'm sure."

I groaned. "Bells, I know we're 18. I still need to know that you want to do this now. I can wait until you're ready."

She kissed me hard and I suddenly lost all words. I kissed her back and slowly pulled her shirt off. I looked at her and groaned. "Bells, you're so beautiful."

She blushed and looked away. I slowly kissed her again and leaned her back onto the bed. I bit and nibbled at her neck as I undid her jeans and slid them off. She sweet scent wrapped around me as I slowly explored every inch of her.

She whispered, "Ash."

I looked up at her and purred, "Let it all go, kitten. I've dreamed about this for years and I want to take my time exploring you. We're not in a rush."

She whispered, "Ash, I need you."

I nuzzled her neck. "What do you need, princess? Tell me."

She was blushing like crazy as I stroked and prodded everywhere and she moaned, "I don't know. I just need more."

I smiled and kissed her softly, gently urging her to explore and enjoy herself.

I murmured against her lips, "I'm going to have to bite you in order to do this properly, Bells. It'll be right here," I kissed the spot where her neck and shoulder met. "It's going to hurt a little bit, sweet. Do you want to continue?"

She slowly stroked at my bulge and said, "Asher, any little bit of pain is worth it for you. I l-”

I kissed her and whispered, "Don't say it yet, Bells. Wait until I'm inside you. Please."

I groaned in pleasure and slid her panties off, finding her absolutely soaked. I wanted nothing more than to savor this moment, however I needed to feel her. I kissed her neck where I was going to bite and slowly hovered over her. She whispered, "Ash, I want this. Please."

"Yes, Bells," I groaned as I slowly slid into her. "Are you ready?"

She moaned and nodded. I felt my canines elongate and I bit into that sweet spot of her neck. She cried out in pain, but held me there. She moaned, "Ash, I love you, please."

I released her and said, "I love you, my beautiful Bellalyse."

Her eyes glowed and she bit into my neck as I thrust into her one last time, moaning her name. Drinking from my neck, she moaned. She drank for a couple of minutes, and i felt our mate bond grow stronger with each swallow. She let go and looked at me with wide eyes.

"What did we just do," she whispered.

I froze. "I'm sorry, Bells. Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head. "No, you didn't. I've never felt more beautiful."

I kissed her tenderly and cuddled her to sleep, just loving having her in my arms, when my phone rang startling me. I groaned and nuzzled her neck before answering it. "Yes, Alex?"

He shouted, "Where have you been? I've been texting you for hours!"

I whispered, "Shhhh. Bella's sleeping."

He lowered his voice, "What do you mean she's sleeping?"

I smiled. "She was asleep when I found her. I sat with her for awhile and when she woke up I told her everything."

"So why is she asleep now?"

"I'll tell you about it later. I'm sorry for worrying you. Will you tell her family that she's safe? I'll stay and take care of her but I don't feel right waking her up."

He sighed. "I already told them you were with her. They asked that if it got too late to have her stay at our place."

I smiled. "Thanks, little brother."

He chuckled and hung up the phone. I pulled her close and nuzzled her neck when she said, "How long was I asleep?"

I kissed her shoulder. "About an hour or two."

She sat upright immediately. "Why didn't you wake me up? I have to get home!"

I grabbed her hand and said, "All you have to do, my love, is come back to bed. You're family knows that you're with me."

She looked at me wide eyed. "Do they know what happened?"

I shrugged. "All they were told is that you were with me. They said if it got too late to have you stay at my house."

She shook her head. "Ash, if I stay I'll miss school tomorrow."

"So miss it."

She giggled and kissed me. "Ash, tomorrow's the last day before graduation. I can't miss it."

"No it's not!"

She looked me dead in the eye. "Yes, it is. Have you not paid any attention in school the last week and a half?"

I shook my head. "I've been too busy trying to figure this out and paying attention to you."

She kissed me and said, "Come on. Let me get dressed and then you can walk me home."

I pulled her close and kissed her hard. "Just a little longer. Please, Bellalyse."

I grinned at the smell of her arousal and kissed her again. She giggled and kissed me as she pulled us back onto the bed. She moaned, "Last time."

I grinned. "Whatever you say, love."