Chapter 26: The Letters

Harper’s POV



I rub the ends of my hair with a towel, trying to stop water from dripping off the tips. I’m sitting at Asher’s desk after getting out of the shower. Asher and I spent the afternoon finishing off tidying the front yard with a little help from Amaris and Jack.

The work was hard, and exhausting. Many bushes were overgrown, and garden beds appeared as though it hadn’t been cleaned out in years. I made sure to pull out every weed and dead plant, and replace them with beautiful flowers that are vibrant and inviting.

The compound looks amazing since I’ve been working on the yards. It doesn’t look like a run-down place that could’ve been abandoned; it’s now a place people will be proud to call it their home.

At times during the day, the four of us would have dirt wars which consisted of us hiding behind trees and pegging handfuls of dirt at each other. It was a good way to take a break from the tough work and have a little fun together.

The chemistry between Amaris and Jack was palpable; they radiated attraction towards each other. Amaris says they’re only getting to know each other at the moment, but I’m sure their relationship will blossom in no time.

After gardening all day, I wanted to come back to the bedroom to relax instead of eating dinner in the dining hall. Asher said as he was leaving earlier that he would bring me back a plate when he finishes eating.

Since the poisoning incident last week, Asher has been more protective over me than usual. He always walks through doors before me to make sure no one is going to jump out and attack me. I’ve started going on runs with him in the morning because he won’t let me go by myself in case I get lured away again.

At night I’ve been sleeping in his arms. Since being in the weird dreaming-dying stage when I was ill, I keep having nightmares that leave me screaming for help. Asher is always there to calm me down by running his fingers through my hair and whispers that everything will be okay.

If it wasn’t for him, I’m not sure how I would continue to live. The night terrors usually consist of me being chased by a disfigured shadow who is trying to kill me in every way imaginable. Every time a knife, bullet or sharp object gets plunged into my skin I wake up with excruciating pain in that exact spot.

I think they have been brought on due to the numerous amounts of times I’ve almost been killed.

Asher is always by my side to calm me down or offer a shoulder to cry on. He’s been the best support system I could ask for. Sometimes I’ll catch a whiff of his cologne when we’re cuddling, and I have to physically stop myself from kissing his neck.

Being this close to him every day, but not being able to act on my feelings, has been the biggest tease. When he walks out of the shower with nothing but a towel on, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. It’s driving me insane.

I was relieved when he said he was going to dinner without me because it meant I could be alone in the room with no zero distractions from his hotness. Having him around and being so aware of how attracted I am to him, has made it difficult to continue working on my plan to get the Alpha title.

I’ve been needing to write some letters to my family, but I’m constantly distracted by Asher walking around without a shirt on or him reading with his cute nerdy glasses on. Not having him here for an hour or so means I can finally get some planning done.

I grab a piece of paper from the drawer and begin writing a letter to my Father. I decline to tell him about the multiple attacks on me because I know he’ll try to order me to return home. I write about all the good things I’ve achieved around the complex; how the pack is beginning to trust my opinions and request me for help with guidance and support.

I ask how the family is doing; what new project Mother is doing these days, and what Artemis and Ansel are up to. I want to know what’s new with the pack, and if members are getting the support they need since my departure.

The questions I’m asking will hopefully give me the answers to finalize my plan to get the title of Alpha from Artemis. I hope he’s showing his true colors to my Father and the pack; a liar like him can’t hide forever. That’ll help in my favor.

I sign my name at the bottom of the two-page letter, slip it into an envelope addressed to my Father’s compound. I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after writing that. It was nice recounting all the amazing things that have happened since moving here, instead of expressing it to Asher who witnesses it firsthand.

I get up from the desk and place the letter on my bedside table. Sitting in bed reading a novel sounds appealing to me in this moment. I’m exhausted from the day and wish for nothing more than to snuggle in bed with a glass of hot tea, reading a story about a hot couple resisting their attraction towards each other.

As I’m walking to the bathroom to brush my teeth, I notice an envelope sticking out from beneath a stack of novels on the desk. How had I not seen this earlier? Curiosity gets the better of me because I reach down and carefully slide it out.

It’s addressed to Zoey. Asher’s ex-girlfriend Zoey?

I shake my head in disbelief. Why would Asher be writing her a letter? It could be from years ago when they were together, but why would he still have it on his desk? He told me he wasn’t in love with her anymore, so I’m struggling to understand the existence of this letter.

Without thinking, I open the envelope. I need to see the contents of what’s written, otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Asher’s handwriting on the single piece of paper is so clear and sharp.

I take a deep breath before reading the first line. I wish I hadn’t, though, because the first six words rip a hole in my heart.

‘I think I still love you.’

He lied to me. He told me he didn’t love her, yet here he is writing her a love letter. As I continue to read, I can tell he’s pouring his whole heart out onto the page. I can feel a single tear escape my eye, landing on the middle of the page.

At that moment, Asher walks through the door holding a plate of food. He’s smiling from ear to ear.

“Hey,” he says, “I made sure to bring you the best meat they had.”

He looks at my face, with tears streaming down my cheeks, and the letter in my hand. The smile he had disappears.

“Where did you find that?” He asks, setting the plate of food on the end of the bed.

He takes a forward, but I take a step back, shaking my head.

“You lied to me, Asher,” I whisper, “You f*cking lied to me.”