Chapter 32: The Unspoken Words
Asher’s POV
I decided to invite Zoey and Drake over for a banquet to discuss the trading ideas they have in mind. The plan was to meet with them for breakfast, but my brain was still scrambled after their arrival yesterday, so I decided to push the meeting back for as long as I could.
Harper has been quiet since we went to sleep. I can tell she thinks I still have feelings for Zoey but that is not the case anymore. Seeing her brought back a flood of memories, but after the way she acted it was clear she has also lost her feelings for me.
Things with Harper are already complicated enough but having dinner with my ex-girlfriend who is pretending not to know me, and her husband, is a recipe for disaster. I can already tell something will go wrong tonight.
Harper is standing in front of the full-length mirror behind the door, smoothing out the dark green silk dress she has on. It hugs all her curves in the right places and compliments the color of her hair.
“You look beautiful,” I say from the bathroom.
She smiles at me through the mirror, “You’re such a liar.”
That’s a habit of hers. Every time I tell her how amazing she looks or compliment her in anyway, she tells me I’m liar. It’s almost as if she truly doesn’t see herself the way I do, and all the amazing qualities she has.
I laugh, “You know I’m not.”
She laughs, shaking her head. We continue to get ready in silence. I try adding some product to my curls to make them stay in one spot, so hopefully they don’t become a wild mess as the night progresses. Zoey never liked my hair this length so I would always cut it, which I hated because I got these curls from my Mother and she would gush about how cute I was.
“Do we really have to go tonight?” Harper sighs, sitting on the edge of the bed, slipping her feet into a set of black heels.
I shrug on my suit jacket, looping the bottom buttons closed, “You can always stay here if you like.”
Harper stands to her feet, “Absolutely not. If Zoey is going, I’ll be there, too.”
I smile at her jealousy, pulling her in for a hug, “You have nothing to worry about.”
Harper doesn’t say anything, and instead wraps her arms around my waist. I place a soft kiss on top of her head.
“We better get going, we don’t want to be rude by being late,” I say, taking Harper’s hand in mine.
“If Zoey tries anything tonight, I will be throwing fists,” she huffs, following me out of the room.
I laugh, “That’s my girl.”
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Harper’s POV
The dining room is decked out in gold ornaments and decorations. Whoever oversaw the decorations really went all out. The room feels elegant and beautiful. This is the vibe you want for a dinner party.
Asher pulls my seat out for me, and hands me a glass of wine.
“They’re not here yet,” I note, looking around the empty table.
Asher takes the seat beside me, already taking a sip of his wine, “I’d rather them be late and not us.”
After a moment, Drake and Zoey enter the room. Zoey looks stunning in a sparkly midnight blue floor length dress. Drake has cleaned up nicely in a suit that matches the color of Zoey’s dress.
They smile, taking the two vacant seats in front of us.
“Thank you for setting this up, Asher,” Drake smiles, raising his glass in the air, “Cheers!”
We all clink our glasses, and everyone takes a long sip in silence. I can see Zoey eyeing Asher from across the table, trying to be discreet in front of her husband.
“So, what brings you two here?” Asher takes, placing his hand on my thigh.
“There are some supplies I need for my pack that can only be found in your territory,” Drake shifts in his seat, “I wanted to ask for your permission to allow my pack and I to retrieve the supplies we need.”
Asher nods slowly, “What is it that you need?”
“Materials to make weapons, mostly,” He says, “We’ve had a couple of rouge wolves attack the compound, so I’ve been wanting to up the manufacturing and quality of our weapons in case we don’t have the chance to shift to attack.”
I guess that makes sense. Sometimes you grab what’s nearest to you when in attack mode instead of shifting because at the time it seems easier and quicker. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if our compound were to be attacked.
Asher nods his head, “I grant you permission. Take what you need and leave as soon as possible.”
Drake frowns at Asher’s harsh words, but nods his head in agreement anyway.
Dinner is being served, so the conversation topics change to ourselves and our packs. Asher talks about our wedding and what’s been going on around here. Drake says his family knew Asher’s parents, but he hasn’t had the inclination to visit him since Asher’s coming of age ceremony and show his respect as a fellow Alpha. Zoey chimes in about her wedding, and I roll my eyes.
“Harper,” Zoey gets my attention, “How long have you and Asher known each other?”
I shrug, “A few months now.”
She frowns, looking between Asher and me, “That’s not long at all. Drake and I were in a relationship for a couple of years before we got married.”
“Harper is my Mate,” Asher states.
If I’m not mistaken, I can see Zoey’s heart breaking just a little bit.
“Oh, that’s lovely,” She responds, taking a sip of her wine, ending the conversation completely.
I stand from my chair, “Please excuse me for a moment, I have to use the restroom.”
I leave without another word, needing to get some fresh air. Being so close to Zoey and seeing her eye Asher so shamelessly makes me want to punch her in the face.
I’m halfway down the hall when a soft hand grabs my elbow, spinning me around. I come face to face with Zoey, and she doesn’t look happy.
“What have you done to him?” She asks, clearly talking about Asher.
I snatch my arm away, “Touch me again and I’ll break your fingers.”
“He looks like a homeless man with his hair that long and unshaven, that’s not the way I left him.” She folds her arms across her chest.
I laugh in her face, “Oh, so now you want to act like you know him after pretending in front of your husband that you don’t? You’re pathetic. Asher looks amazing, you’re just an uptight b*tch.”
“What did you just say to me?” She huffs.
I step forward, our noses almost touching, “You heard me. You can’t just come in here and act like you still care about him. You left him for something better, apparently,” I gesture to Drake in the other room, “I’ve allowed him to be his true self.”
“You don’t know him like I do,” she says, her lip turning up in anger.
“I know him better than you ever did,” I push past her shoulder, heading towards the bathroom.
I turn around on my heels, a fake smile spread across my face, “Oh, and Zoey, if you go anywhere near my man, it’ll be the last thing you do.”