Beauty and The Beta (Bailey) novel Chapter 119

I could see Asher struggling and I feel so bad for even asking now. For even encouraging this sort of talk. This was all my fault. I didn't like seeing him hurting. I know I had said some choice things about him when I had arrived, but I truly hated seeing him struggle like this. He didn't deserve to be in pain, I was sure of that...

I slid myself along the sofa, noticing his eyes were closed as he breathed heavily like he was trying to compose himself. Maybe I should leave? Give him some space? He seemed like the sort of guy who needed his space... Yet, instinct had me reaching for his hand instead.

The touch seemed to make him jump, as he instantly opened his eyes to look at me in shock. His big green eyes were looking at me with confusion. “Sorry.” I muttered, going to move my hand, but instead his fingers gripped mine, as his eyes fell upon our hands. “Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.” I whispered.

“No, I understand.” He said, exhaling deeply. “I don’t talk much about it all. It is not easy as you can imagine. I lost Isla soon after we had met. Before being able to build a life together. But, the bond was already there, forming. And we had just moved into our new home together. Both so excited at the thought of what the future would bring for us. I couldn’t go back once she had gone. It was always going to be our home. The home we planned our future in. So, I moved back here…”

I felt the pain within his voice, and I can sense Akira whimpering within my mind at the suffering this man next to us must have gone through. I thought what I had gone through was bad, but this poor guy had lost the one he was destined to be with. The one he had thought would be by his side for the rest of his life. The one he had been waiting for. The one the moon goddess chose for him. He must have been heartbroken. There was no worse pain, I would imagine. My own heart clenched in pain for him. In truth, I desperately wanted to throw my arms around him and hug him, but he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would appreciate a hug...

The darkness that lingered over him made so much more sense to me now. The pain he must battle daily if this was what he struggled with, must drag him down. Dim any joy within him. Grief can be overpowering…

“I am sorry you had to go through that, Asher.” I said faintly. “You have done amazing to continue being such a wonderful Beta. Your pack is lucky to have you.”

He laughed, a dry and almost ironic sort of laugh, causing me to look up at him. “I think my Alpha and Luna may beg to differ on that opinion sometimes.” He told me with a wry smile. “I think I am slowly driving them insane.”

“Hey, with all the favors it sounds like you do for them, I don’t think they can complain much.” I told him, and he grins.

“Finally! Someone who sees it from my point of view!”

I laughed. “I am sure they appreciate all you do. You will get your chance to gain all your favors back one day. Seems to me, they definitely owe you some.”

“Hmm, that would be a whole lot. Caleb may not be quite so agreeable, and don’t even get me started on Eden. You think the Alpha runs the show? In truth, it is our little Lady Luna.”

“She knows you call her that?” I asked him, finding it funny, and I could tell just from the way he spoke of them that they were all quite close.