ASHER
I woke up to my alarm screaming and my body aching in places I didn’t know could ache. The mark on my throat was burning, the bond was humming in my chest and I could feel Reed through the connection. Awake, alert and waiting for what, I didn’t know.
I dragged myself to the bathroom and stared at my reflection. I was frozen at the sight in front of . The marks were worse this morning, dark purple bruises covering my throat, my collarbones, and my shoulders.
Evidence of what Reed had done to . I tried covering them with foundation but it barely helped.
Finally, I pulled on a hoodie with the collar pulled up as high as it would go. It would have to be enough, I hoped, but I knew that no matter what, people would know about the marks and they would talk.
I was lost in thoughts when my phone buzzed on the table. I walked up to the table and rolled my eyes when I saw who it was from.
Reed: Good morning.
I stared at the ssage, my hands were already shaking because I knew what he was going to say wouldn’t fit well with .
Reed: Don’t ignore , Asher.
: What do you want?
Reed: Just checking in on my Oga. Did you sleep well?
The casual possessiveness made my stomach turn.
: Fine.
Reed: Good, I’ll see you at breakfast. Sit at my table.
: No.
Reed: That wasn’t a request. Sit at my table or everyone finds out what you are.
My hands clenched around my phone so hard I thought it might break.
: People will ask questions.
Reed: Let them. You’re mine now. It’s ti people started seeing that.
: I thought we were keeping this secret.
Reed: We’re keeping YOUR secret that you’re an Oga but people can know you belong to . Now get to breakfast, you have five minutes.
I wanted to throw my phone across the room, I wanted to stay in my dorm and never co out but the bond was already pulling and already demanding I obey.
I grabbed my bag and headed to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was packed and I stood in the doorway, scanning for Reed’s table. He was in his usual spot with Callum and his crew surrounding him.
Reed’s eyes found mine across the room. He didn’t smile nor acknowledge that he saw . He just looked at and waited.
I forced my feet to move. I walked across the cafeteria toward his table and imdiately conversations stopped as I passed, students stared and whispered.
They could see the marks on my throat even through the hoodie, they could probably sll Reed’s scent on .
"Graham?" Callum’s eyes widened when I approached the table. "What are you doing here?"
"He’s sitting with us," Reed said before I could respond. His voice was casual like this was completely normal.
"Since when?" one of the other Alphas asked.
"Since now." Reed’s eyes never left mine. "Sit down, Asher."
I sat on the edge of the bench as far from Reed as possible but Reed’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm, pulling closer until I was pressed against his side.
"Better," Reed said quietly as his hand stayed on my thigh under the table. Possessive and claiming.
Callum was staring at us. "Reed, what the fuck is going on?"
"Nothing. Graham and I ca to an understanding." Reed’s hand tightened on my thigh. "Didn’t we, Asher?"
I couldn’t speak,.my throat was too tight.
"Answer ," Reed said, his voice dropped into Alpha command.
"Yes," I managed. "We ca to an understanding."
"What kind of understanding?" Andrew asked.
"The kind that’s none of your business," Reed said, his hand slid higher on my thigh. "Now drop it."
The table went quiet. I sat there, my whole body rigid, feeling every eye on , feeling the whispers starting and feeling my reputation crumbling with every second I stayed at Reed’s side.
"Eat sothing," Reed said, pushing his plate toward . "You need your strength."
The implications made my face burn.
"I’m not hungry." I answered
"Eat or I’ll feed you myself." Reed’s voice was soft and dangerous.
I quickly grabbed a piece of toast and forced myself to take a bite. It tasted like ash because i knew my life was ssed and fucked up.
By lunch, the entire Academy was talking. I heard the whispers everywhere I went.
"Did you see Graham sitting with Reed Jackson?"
"Reed had his hands all over him."
"I heard they hooked up."
"No way. Graham hates Reed."
"Yeah, well, those marks on his neck say otherwise."
I kept my head down. I tried to ignore it but it was impossible. Everywhere I turned, people were staring, judging and whispering.
As if that wasn’t enough, Julian cornered after the third period.
"Asher, what the hell is going on?" His eyes were wide with concern. "Why were you sitting with Reed this morning? And those marks on your neck—"
"It’s nothing," I said.
"That’s not nothing. Those are claiming marks. Did Reed—did he hurt you?"
"No." The lie tasted bitter. "I’m fine, Julian."
"You’re not fine. You look like you haven’t slept. You’re jumpy and you’re sitting with Reed Jackson like you’re his—"
He stopped and his eyes went wide.
"Oh my god," Julian breathed. "Asher, did Reed claim you?"
"Julian—"
"The Oga from the run. It was you, wasn’t it?" Julian grabbed my arm. "Asher, tell I’m wrong. Tell you’re not—"
"Keep your voice down," I hissed. I pulled him into an empty classroom. "Yes, it was and yes, Reed claid but you can’t tell anyone. Do you understand? No one can know."
Julian stared at , confusion written all over his face. "How long have you been an Oga?"
"Since always. I’ve been on suppressants. Hiding it but they failed during the full moon and—"
"And Reed found out." Julian’s jaw clenched. "That bastard. He’s using this against you, isn’t he? Blackmailing you?"
I couldn’t answer, I just couldn’t admit it out loud.
"I’m going to kill him," Julian said.
"No." I grabbed his arm. "You can’t. If you confront him, if you make this public, I’ll lose everything. Please, Julian. You have to keep this secret."
Julian looked at for a long mont. "What is he making you do?"
"Nothing I can’t handle."
"Liar." Julian’s eyes were sad. "You’re my best friend, Asher. Let help you."
"You can’t help . No one can." I released his arm. "Just keep the secret. That’s all I need from you."
Before Julian could respond, my phone buzzed.
Reed: Where are you?
My blood went cold.
: Talking to Julian.
Reed: Get to my room. Now.
: I have class in ten minutes.
Reed: Skip it. I need you. Now.
: Reed, I can’t just—
Reed: Five minutes or I tell everyone.
My hands were shaking and my body obeyed without thinking.
"I have to go," I told Julian.
"Asher—"
"I’m sorry." I walked out of the classroom before he could stop . I made it to Reed’s room in four minutes.
He was waiting. The door is already open.
"You’re late," Reed said.
"By one minute."
"That’s one minute too long." Reed grabbed my wrist and pulled inside. Slamd the door shut. "When I call, you co imdiately. Understood?"
"I was in the middle of a conversation—"
"I don’t care." Reed pushed against the door. His body pinned mine. "You belong to now. Your ti is my ti. Your body is my body. Everything you do is because I allow it."
"Reed—"
"Say it." His hand went to my throat. Not choking. Just holding. "Say you belong to ."
Through the bond, I could feel his emotions. Possessiveness, jealousy and underneath it all, sothing that felt like insecurity.
He’d seen with Julian and it had bothered him.
"I belong to you," I whispered.
"Good." Reed’s grip loosened. "Now strip."
"What?" I froze.
"You heard . Strip. I want to see my marks on you."
Sha burned through . "Reed, please—"
"Now, Asher. Or I walk across campus and announce to everyone what you really are."
My hands moved before my brain could stop them. I pulled off my hoodie, and my shirt until I was standing there bare-chested, covered in Reed’s marks.
Reed’s eyes traced over every bruise. Every bite mark. Every claim.
"Perfect," he breathed. "You look perfect covered in my marks."
Then his phone alarm went off.
Reed checked it and smiled. "Ti for your next class. Get dressed."
I stared at him. "What?"
"Get dressed. You’re going to be late." Reed leaned against his desk. Watching . "I just wanted to remind you who you belong to. Now go."
"You made skip class just to—"
"Just to prove I can." Reed’s smile was cold. "Whenever I call, you co. Even if it’s just to look at you. Even if it’s just to remind you that you’re mine. Understood?"
I grabbed my clothes and pulled them on with shaking hands.
"Understood?" Reed repeated.
"Yes."
"Good. Now get to class and Asher?" Reed’s voice stopped at the door. "Don’t talk to Julian anymore. I don’t like the way he looks at you."
"He’s my friend—"
"You don’t have friends anymore. You have . That’s all you need."
I walked out before I said sothing I’d regret.
Behind , through the bond, I could feel Reed’s satisfaction. He was enjoying this.
Enjoying breaking down. Enjoying controlling every aspect of my life and there was nothing I could do to stop him.
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