Chapter 148


    Chapter 148 Chess teacher


    CAS SANDRA


    Asher proved to be a patient teacher, and Finnick was an eager student.


    I sat back and observed their game with interest from the sofa about ten feet away with an impressed


    smile on my face.


    Initially reserved, Finnick soon began asking questions and showing more. interest in the game. His


    furrowed brow unfurled as time went on, and his adorably serious expression shifted to one of intrigue.


    As the game went on, it was clear that the Alpha King and my son were getting along quite well. Asher


    was far more gentle and understanding than I’d expected him to be, and my heart warmed at the sight


    of him spending so much time with Finnick. I’d never imagined this day woulde, and I was relieved


    to have a moment of happiness amidst the tense atmosphere ofte.


    They took a break when Erika entered the yroom with some tea. As Asher, Finnick, and I sat down


    at the table by the window, I ran my hands through Finnick’s


    thick dark brown hair.


    “Did you find the chess game interesting, honey?” I asked him gently.


    Finnick smiled at me and nodded. “I want to y chess with you, Mommy. Do


    you know how to y?”


    When I nodded, Finnick lit up and raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”


    “Yes,” I confirmed, and then my cheeks heated up a bit. “Actually, I must admit that I’m a pretty skilled


    yer. My father taught me how to y when I was very young. The Alpha King’s father did as well.”


    “Wow,” Finnick breathed, and then his head tilted to the side slightly at the revtion. “Mommy, why


    didn’t I know you could y chess? And why hadn’t you


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    taught me before? We could have yed together.”


    “I didn’t know you were interested, honey,” I exined with a shrug. “If I’d known that you were, I would


    have shown you much earlier.”


    Finnick nodded as he considered my words, and then his smile grew wide.


    “So, Mommy, can you show me more?” he wondered. “I want to learn. everything I can, and if you’re a


    skilled yer, maybe I could be one someday too!”


    Before I could respond, Asher cleared his throat.


    “You know, Finnick, I coulde by every day and teach you if you want,” he offered generously. “Your


    mother might be too busy with the clinic to do much, but I can make time toe by and y. I think


    you have a lot of potential as a student.”


    Finnick and I nced at each other, clearly surprised by Asher’s offer. Surely, as the Alpha King, his


    schedule had to be far more busy than mine. Was it a good ideal for him to set such time aside for a


    child that wasn’t Prince Marco?


    I was about to object to the idea when Asher spoke again.


    “No pressure, of course,” he assured Finnick in a gentle tone. “I just think it


    could be fun for us.”


    It was clear that the Alpha King wanted to build a closer rtionship with his son. While I knew the idea


    was a little dangerous, I didn’t object further. His intentions were good, and if Finnick wanted him as a


    ymate, I would ept the idea. Finnick was so lonely here in the clinic while I was working. He


    deserved some


    fun.


    Finnick nced at me, and when I nodded in approval, he extended his hand to


    Asher.


    “Sounds like a deal to me!” he noted excitedly. Asherughed and shook his hand, and as they


    laughed, my heart throbbed in my chest. This moment was so special, and I was grateful that the two of


    them were getting along. They were the two most important men in my life. Seeing them together was


    doing so much for my


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    me ntal health, which had been in shambles for far too long.


    Once we finished the lovely peach green tea and ate some scones Hannah had. made, Asher and


    Finnick sat down to y for a bit longer. I studied a book as they resumed their game, but peeked over


    the heavy volume every once in a while to check their progress. Finnick was catching on fast. I was


    very proud of his progr and knew that he would likely be a very good yer one day.


    Chess had been a passion of mine in my younger years, and as I watched Finnick y against the


    Alpha King, I remembered howpetitive Asher and I used to get when we were children. Asher was


    always so determined to defeat me, but his confidence did him no good. I was too skilled of a yer


    and always managed toe out the victor.


    After a little while, Asher nced at the clock on the wall and let out a small sigh.


    “I wish I could continue ying all night,” hemented with a frown. “But unfortunately, I have to be


    leaving. Thank you so much for ying with me, Finnick.”


    “Thank you,” Finnick replied politely, and his cheeks flushed pink with bashfulness. “I had a lot of fun.”


    “Me too,” Asher agreed.


    He rose to his feet and I set my book aside.


    “I’ll walk you out,” I said.


    Finnick and Asher said their goodbyes, and then I led Asher down the stairs and out of the clinic. By


    the time we reached the front door, I was surprised to see that the sky had darkened significantly and


    guards were waiting nearby.


    Asher lingered for a moment.


    “I had a good time with Finnick,” he said with a genuine smile. “I look forward to ying future games


    with him.”


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    I nodded. “He’d like that a lot.”


    As we stared at one another in silence, I understood that Asher wanted nothing more than to tell


    Finnick the truth and share his true identity. His gray eyes were filled with longing, and I wanted nothing


    more than for that to happen.


    After a brief second of quiet, I spoke again.


    “I’ll find an appropriate time to reveal the truth to him,” I assured him softly.


    “I know,” Asher replied. “Trust me, Cas sandra, I have no intention of pressuring you. It’s a difficult


    situation and I want you to take your time with it. In the meantime, I just… I want to spend more time


    with Finnick. Get to know him better.”


    “Quality time is a great idea,” I said as Asher pulled me into an embrace. We hugged for a bit and then


    Asher lifted my chin up and ced his lips against mine.


    We began toss, and I didn’t want to let go, but I gently pushed him before things got too passionate.


    “We’re at the clinic’s door,” I reminded him. “Someone could see us.”


    away


    Asher chuckled and then kissed me once more. When he pulled away, he


    winked.


    “Have a good evening, Cas sandra,” he said, and without another word, he left.


    I watched him depart for a second, and just as I was about to reenter the clinic, I noticed a pair of


    figures beyond me on the street. I squinted. The light was low, but after a moment, my vision focused


    and my heart dropped.


    It was Adalyn and Marco.


    I wasn’t sure how long they’d been there, but from Ada yn’s scowl, it was clear they had witnessed the


    moment between Asher and me.


    C