Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Ashton had an Alpha bloodline, but Talia’s status didn’t allow him to greet her as an equal no matter how close they were. As a kid, he could cling to Talia, but now he was an adult and he had to stick to protocols.
Ashton’s eighteenth birthday passed which put him into the category of males that are searching for a mate. If he got touchy with Talia, Dayson would see that as a direct threat to his position and could cause war. At the same time, the age gap between Ashton and Talia was not enough for him to see her as a mother figure. Again, it was an awkward situation.
Talia’s eyes lost focus for a moment as she was mind-linking Violet.
…
Violet straightened her skirt and entered the room that was filled with the sweet scent.
The light was off and that allowed Ashton’s silhouette to stand out in front of the moonlit window.
Ashton had an impressive Alpha physique that was fully developed. He was not like Ethan who was tall with wide shoulders while the rest of his torso still waited to be filled with muscles.
Violet tried not to think about all the girls who were throwing themselves at Ashton. Ashton had a thing where he would sit at the head of the table and give his signature half-smirk, and that would cause female-scented panties to fly his way. Violet thought those females were gross and she would reprimand Ashton for teasing them, but Ashton would always laugh it off.
Ashton was kind and playful, but Violet felt a different atmosphere in that room. It was tense.
“Why are you in the dark?” Violet asked.
Ashton turned to her. “Do you need light?”
“Not really,” Violet said. “But my mom says that we should keep the lights on of respect for other creatures who are not blessed with the gifts we have.”
“There is no need to accommodate others who are not here.”
Violet didn’t have an argument against that. “When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“Did you have dinner? Will you join us in the backroom?”
“No, and no. I have other plans.”
Violet was confused. Why was the usually chatty and friendly Ashton distant? Since she was aware of her existence, Ashton was by her side. He was always around, like an older brother who taught her things and prevented her from getting hurt.
“What are you not telling me? If you didn’t come here to eat or hang out, why are you here?”
“I came here to give you this,” Ashton said, and Violet’s eyes widened when she saw the hand which he was hiding behind his back so far. It was a bouquet of carnations. White carnations, her favorites.
“Happy birthday, Vi.”
Violet accepted the flowers and took a deep breath. The sweet scent put a smile on her face. That was the one she picked up the moment she stepped into the room.
“My birthday is next week,” Violet said.
“I know.”
“So, why the flowers now?”
“Because I wanted to give them to you in person.”
Violet needed a moment to process that information. “You won’t be here next week.”
Her heart ached because it would be her first birthday without Ashton’s presence. On top of that, Ethan was also leaving. The only two males who didn’t look at her like a child, or worship her like a leader will be leaving.
She pressed her lips into a line to hide the fact that her chin was shivering.
“Will you miss me?”
Violet felt like slapping him. “What kind of a question is that?” Of course, she will miss him, but… “Wait! How long will you be gone? Where are you going?”
“I’m of age now and…”
“You are going to find your mate,” Violet ended his sentence sourly.
They were not connected at the hips, but Ashton was always available. Once he finds his mate, things will change. What if Ashton’s mate doesn’t like her? What if his mate says that Ashton shouldn’t talk to Violet at all? Where will that put her? Will she lose him? Her heart ached at that thought.
Ashton puffed his cheeks. He would tease her more, but her dejection was obvious, and he didn’t want to allow this to go too far.
“I’m going to train.”
Violet’s head snapped up to look at him. “Train? Aren’t you the strongest one out of our generation? You can wipe the floor with everyone.”
“That’s because I am older, stronger, and I had more practice. In a few years, you guys will catch up to me unless I step up. If Ethan or Jacob win in a match against me, I will need to give up on my pack out of shame.”
Violet admired Ethan a lot, and her brother was a skilled warrior, but she couldn’t see them winning against Ashton. The difference was too much. However, she also understood what Ashton was talking about. Wasn’t she set on training hard and improving?
“Where are you going? Do you think I could join you when I get a break?” She liked training with Ashton.
“I will start with the mountains and head wherever my paws take me. I will be gone for at least a few months, years maybe.”
Her eyes widened to the point of hurting. “Years?” Wasn’t that the same as Ethan?
“Don’t worry. I will schedule a flower delivery for your birthdays, so you don’t miss me. What do you want me to send you for Christmas?”
Violet felt like crying. She lunged at Ashton and gave him a tight hug.
“Stupid. I don’t need flowers and presents. I want you here,” she mumbled into his chest.
“Vi,” Ashton called stiffly. “You should let go.”
Violet looked up at him and blinked. “Why? Is me hugging you a problem? We did that so many times before.” And they had much more bodily contact when Ashton pinned her to the mat when they exercised.
Ashton groaned and pried her hands away from him. “I am not a child anymore. You can’t jump like that on me or on any other male. Why don’t you think about consequences?”
He pinched her chin and made her look at him. “Or are you willing to give yourself to me?”
Ashton’s breath splashed on Violet’s face, and she wondered if he always smelled of carnations, or if it was just now because the flowers were right there.
Violet became aware of their position, and she felt the heat climbing rapidly up her neck. She wanted to move away, but her body refused to cooperate, and she couldn’t budge.
Violet’s brain stuttered. Ashton was impossibly close and she could see his eyes flashing dangerously.
Did he ask if she would give herself to him?
Ashton’s proximity would always put her at ease, but now the anxiety was tying her stomach into knots. Ashton’s aura was sharp and volatile, threatening to consume her.
“Whaaaat?” Violet squeaked.
Ashton took a step back and shook his head. “You are not of age, but you should know that not everyone is easygoing. Keep doing that, and someone will take advantage of you.”
“But you won’t,” she said with all the confidence she could muster while trying to conceal how flustered she was.
Ashton could see she was faking her courage, but he didn’t want to call her on it. Did he overdo it? He released a long breath and decided to switch gears.
“Do you hate me that much? If you don’t want me near me, just say so, and I…”
“Woah! Woah!” Violet exclaimed. “Where did that come from? I don’t hate you. You are one of my favorite males.”
Ashton smirked. “Really? I find that difficult to believe.”
“Why?”
“If your father saw us with you sticking to me, I would be a goner.” He knew very well what overprotective Dayson would do, and the dark Alpha was guarding Violet as much as he guarded Talia. “How can you call me your favorite, when your acts will bring me a slow and painful death.”
Violet opened her mouth and closed it. She couldn’t deny it because Ashton was right. If scary Dayson Blake saw his only daughter clinging onto Ashton, her father wouldn’t ask any questions before inflicting heavy injuries on the said boy. But Ashton was not a boy anymore. He was a man, the one who was searching for his mate, and that meant sex and other outrageous things Cornelia mentioned. Did Ashton have sex already? Violet tried not to think about it.
“When are you leaving?” Violet asked.
“Tonight.”
Her stomach dropped. “Why so soon? Why not later?”
“Later? What should I wait for?”
“My birthday is next week.”
He nodded in acknowledgment. “If I stick around for every birthday and celebration, I will never leave.”
“Do you need to leave?” Violet realized her question was ridiculous. Of course, he had to leave. Just as Ethan was leaving. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be selfish. I just…” She exhaled sharply. “I wish you good luck, Ash. Train hard and return victorious.”
Ashton smirked. “You are talking like a true Alpha.”
“It takes one to recognize one.” She raised her fist and punched his shoulder weakly. “Don’t do anything reckless. Return in one piece. Safety first.”
“Don’t worry about me and focus on yourself. I won’t be here to keep an eye on you, so I will leave you with one advice.”
Violet’s eyes were open wide. “Which one?”
“Don’t do anything you will regret later.”
Violet nodded earnestly.
“Train hard, Vi. When I return, I will check on your progress with studies and we will spar.”
‘If your mate allows it’, Violet thought but she didn’t say it aloud because she didn’t want to spoil the mood.
Somehow, she had a feeling that when she sees Ashton the next time, things will be different. Will he be with his mate?
Violet couldn’t picture it properly. Would his mate be tall or short? Blonde, brunette, or a redhead? Will she have freckles or dimples when she smiles? No matter what, Ashton will worship her, and Violet will be a friend, or maybe just a fellow Alpha he seeks when there are pack-related matters.
She knew that she shouldn’t obsess about it, but she couldn’t help it. When a werewolf finds a mate, everything changes, and they were close to the age when that will happen. The uncertainty was unnerving.

New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.