Dahlia's POV
I woke up to the sound of "Wakey wakey" and a sudden dousing of water. I sprang up, rubbing the water from my face. The giggles of other girls filled the air.
As I looked up, I locked eyes with the culprit. "Who are you?" I demanded.
Stella, a sly grin spreading across her face, retorted, "I'm Stella, your worst nightmare." Her words were followed by a stinging slap.
I seethed, "What was that for?"
Stella's deadly stare only fueled my anger. "Who do you think you are, calling yourself my worst nightmare?" I shot back, my tone laced with irritation and defiance.
Nyx, sensing my frustration, cheered me on, urging me to stand my ground.
Stella's eyes blazed with fury as she grasped my neck, her grip tightening. "A servant like you dares to speak back?" she sneered. "Let's see how the Alpha reacts to your insolence."
Releasing me from her chokehold, Stella flashed another wicked smile. "Take her to the Alpha," she commanded her minions.
The girls dragged me down the stairs, their grip ruthless. Nyx's furious growls echoed in my mind, her anger simmering just below the surface.
We finally arrived at Asher's lair. I could feel Nyx's agitation, her disdain for the Alpha palpable. Stella pushed me forward, and I stumbled into the room, my eyes locking onto Asher's imposing figure.
Asher's POV
I stood at the living room window, lost in thought as I gazed out at the city below. The peacefulness was shattered by a commotion. I turned to see Dahlia being manhandled by two girls, her body roughly dragged across the floor.
Stella's voice cut through the air, "We found her being disobedient, Alpha." Her eyes gleamed with malice as she delivered the accusation.
My gaze narrowed, focusing on Dahlia's dishevelled form. "Is this true?" I asked, my voice low and even.
She gazed at me with an air of innocence, but her eyes betrayed no emotion. "What do you think?" she retorted, her voice laced with anger.
I stared back at her, confusion etched on my face. Her response didn't quite add up.
"It's not like you're going to believe me anyway," she said, her tone dripping with resentment.
I thought to myself, "You're right."
Dahlia's POV
"Is this true?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
I let out a dismissive scoff. "What do you think?" My voice was laced with anger, the words dripping with resentment.
For a moment, confusion clouded his face. But as I added, "It's not like you're going to believe me anyway," his expression shifted. The confusion gave way to understanding, and he regarded me with a newfound awareness.
A brief silence hung in the air before he spoke, a wicked smirk twisting his lips.
"Well, you're right," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
I stared at him, shock etched on my face.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why are you shocked? Thought you already knew I wasn't going to believe you?"
His words struck a chord. I thought to myself, "You're right, why would I be shocked?"
Just then, Alpha Asher's voice cut through my thoughts, his command sending a shiver down my spine. "Lay her down and whip her."
I snapped back to reality, my eyes wide with alarm. "What, why?" I asked, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush.
Asher's wicked grin grew wider. "What do you mean why? That's your punishment," he said, his eyes glinting with a sinister light.
"I didn't do anything!" I protested, struggling to break free from their grasp. "They stormed into my room, poured water on me, and wanted a fight."
Asher yawned, his expression uninterested. I thought to myself, "Did he really just yawn? He was never going to believe me, was he?"
Asher's voice cut through my thoughts, firm and authoritative. "What are you waiting for?"
I stared at him, incredulous. "What do you mean? I told you, they started it."
Asher's gaze turned cold. "And so?"
I felt a stinging sensation, as if his words had physically hurt me. "Even if they caused it, you should know your place here," he added, irritation etched in his voice.
I felt a surge of frustration and helplessness, realizing that Asher was not going to take my side.
I scoffed, a bitter taste in my mouth. "You brought me here to torture me, didn't you?" The realization dawned on me like a dark epiphany.
Asher's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I guess you're not that dumb," he taunted.
But his expression swiftly turned serious, his eyes glinting with authority. "Lay her down and whip her," he commanded, his voice firm and unyielding. "If I have to repeat myself, then you will all be punished in her place."
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Asher's words hung like a menacing shadow, leaving no doubt that he would carry out his threat.