Chapter 41: The Claiming

Harper’s POV



“I want to mark you.”

I want to laugh at the dumfounded look on Asher’s face, but I decide not to. This is something he’s been wanting me to do, so I should take it seriously.

His face lights up with a smile, “Really? Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure. I know it’ll change our lives forever, but I think this is the right thing to do.”

Asher looks beyond happy; he can’t contain the grin that’s etched from cheek to cheek. After going through heartbreak with Zoey, I can tell this must be extremely important to him. Finding your Mate doesn’t happen easily, so I’m glad we were able to cross paths this way.

I think I’ve known from the moment I walked past him in the dining room back home that he was my Mate. There was this invisible rope that kept pulling me towards him, even when I tried to resist it. I’m sure he felt the same way.

Asher steps closer to me, a seductive smile on his face, “You’re amazing.”

I try to resist the smile forming on my face, “You’re lying again.”

Asher stops at the foot of the bed, “Who gave you the right to look this incredible.”

I blush, looking away from him, “Everything I do is for you.”

Asher kneels on the bed, crawling towards my body. He brushes his fingertips along my outer thigh, sending shivers up my spine.

“I’m meant to be marking you,” I say, nervous under his touch, “Maybe you should take your shirt off.”

He smiles, “Your wish is my command.”

He forces himself back onto his knees, allowing me to catch my breath for a moment. He grips the hem of his shirt and pulls it over his head in one swift movement. I want to drool at the sight of his six pack; I never can get used to seeing it.

I get to my knees, too, sitting in front of him, “I have the perfect spot.”

I move around him on the bed, until I’m facing his back. He looks over his shoulder at me, fire raging in his eyes.

I use my fingers to trace small circles on his shoulders, making my way down the length of his back. His skin is so tight over his muscles, making every small movement look defined.

Small goosebumps rise on his skin, making me smile. I like that I have that kind of effect on him just from the smallest touch. The way his body reacts to my presence is so hot.

“Harper…” he breathes, looking over his shoulder at me.

“Be patient,” I whisper, leaving a soft kiss on his shoulder.

I continue the trail and leave a dozen kisses on the soft skin of each shoulder. He wiggles under my touch.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” I ask, needing his confirmation one last time.

Asher nods his head, “Absolutely.”

Without another word, I lean down to his right shoulder. I think this will be a good place to mark him because it can be easily hidden but can be seen by others while he’s playing soccer shirtless.

I graze the area first with my nose before opening my mouth and digging my teeth in as hard as I can. Asher grunts from the pain and ecstasy the bite produces, holding himself like a statue so he doesn’t force me to move.

I don’t leave my teeth in his skin for too long. I pull back, wiping away the small amount of blood on my lips. Asher releases a sigh of relief, moving his body so he is facing me.

“Thank you,” he breathes, leaning his forehead against mine.

“I guess now our marriage is almost official,” I joke.

Asher looks up at me, our foreheads still connected, “Do you want me to mark you?”

I hadn’t thought about him marking me.

I pull away from him, “I’m not sure.”

Asher places his hands on my shoulder, “No pressure. We can do it whenever you’re comfortable.”

He places a soft kiss on my forehead, “I love you so much.”

I smile, swiftly kissing his lips, “Not as much as I do.”


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“Have you heard back from your Father?” Asher asks, pulling his shirt over his head.

I catch a glimpse of the bite mark I left on his shoulder, blushing at the site of it on his skin. It’s beginning to heal from the night before.

"Oddly enough I haven’t,” I say, slipping my legs into the pair of jeans I had thrown on the floor, “It’s been weeks since I sent him the letter and I haven’t gotten one back. He has always been known for his quick responses to mail, so this a bit out of character.”

Asher frowns, “That does sound weird. I wonder what’s happening over there.”

I hope everything is in order at home. Not hearing from my Father has made me slightly worried something bad is happening and I have no way of finding out.

Asher can see the panic on my face and wraps his arm around my shoulders, “I’m sure everything is okay. Don’t stress about it too much.”

I look up at him and nod, “You’re right, I’m sure everything is fine.”

“Now, how about a hot cup of coffee and some toast out on the front porch?”

I smile, taking his hand in mine, “That sounds perfect to me.”

As we walk towards the kitchen, I use that time to fix the birds nest on top of my head. I try to brush out as many knots as I can with my fingers. When I feel it looks presentable, I pull it into a messy bun on top of my head.

“How about you wait out on the porch while I whip everything up,” Asher says as we approach the kitchen.

“You’re too good to me,” I smile, poking the tip of his nose.

He swipes my hand away and laughs, “You’re lucky I love you.”

I kiss Asher’s cheek, and make my way to the front door. When I push it open, the cold air hits me like a ton of bricks. I can see my breath floating in the air every time I breathe. I pull the sleeves of my hoodie over my hands to stop them from turning into ice.

There’s a gas heater next to the table and chairs, which is perfect for this type of weather. I rush over to turn it on; hopefully, it’ll warm up by the time Asher comes out.

I take a seat on the wooden chairs and admire the view. Snow us begun to fall, leaving the trees and grass looking like crystals. This type of weather is what I love.

In the distance, I see a black SUV pull into the driveway. I frown, not recognizing the car at all. The windows are tinted and the two people sitting in the front are wearing dark shades even though it’s a dull day with no sunlight.

The man in the driver’s seat opens the door and steps out, removing his sunglasses in the process. I gasp; I could recognize that head of curly hair from anywhere.

“Long time no see, Sister,” Artemis says, a sh*t eating grin spread across his face.