Alpha Asher by Jane Doe (Alpha Asher & Lola)
Chapter 200
There wasn’t much of a sleepover after that, though it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
Cassidy and Clara could feel the tension in the room and knew from the looks on our faces that what we talked about hadn’t been good. Soon after wrapping up, Breyona came downstairs, her eyes raw and red with the opened envelope clutched in her hand.
I knew Breyona needed space, but I also knew that leaving her alone wasn’t the right thing to do. It didn’t take much convincing to get her to say, but I think deep down she wanted someone to confide in, someone who understood.
After promising Cassidy I’d show up to training tomorrow, she and Kendrick left, following Mason and Clara. The four planned on going out for drinks, and I was glad they were able to continue their night. Staying here would’ve just meant drowning in all of our foul moods.
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Holly decided to stay, and I found I was genuinely glad she did, even if she had to leave early the next day for a therapy appointment.
Late in the night, Breyona, Holly, and myself curled up on the massive bed Asher had made for us, swapping stories in the dim lights draped around the beds canopy.
Breyona talked about the letter her parents had left her, breaking down halfway through as sobs wracked her body. I’d been stunned when Holly wrapped her arms around Breyona and I, hugging us both. I’d never gotten close enough to her to notice before, but her scent was light and held hints of elderberry and rose.
The letter written by her parents was a goodbye of sorts, a piece of themselves too sad to dare read out loud. Just hearing about it made my eyes water and fill with tears. I pictured my own mom, and all of the good and bad memories between us.
They had told her how much they loved her, how proud they were, and how she’d never be alone, not for one second. Every step of the way, every milestone in her life, they would be there.
Hearing Breyona talk about the letter prompted Holly to mention her own parents. I’d never pressed the topic with her out of fear that she’d shut down and close me off even more than I already was, but as she talked I listened with unbridled interest.
It had been a padded, golden-plated prison she’d lived in during her time with our father, and while she’d grown to hate every second of it, there was a time where she wanted nothing more than to make him proud. Only when she realized how impossible that was, did she finally crave true freedom.
She had a longing for the mother she’d never met, the one currently trying to enslave me, but it was tainted with disappointment. Nothing would change the Blood Witch’s path, not even the daughter she’d never met.
After hearing Holly talk about her hopes, dreams, and pain, I felt I trusted her enough to talk about what I’d just learned. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this, venting in the dark to two people who I trusted, who understood in their own ways.
It’s a good thing I had because this week had barely just begun.
Days passed by in a blur, each one melting into the next. The entire pack was tense, all of us going back to our normal routines as if everything wasn’t falling apart. Between the lingering stares and whispers whenever I went out in public, it felt like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the next shoe to drop-or the next murder to happen.
Each day I bounced between warrior training, and witch training, spending what little time I could manage with friends and family, and stuck in meetings with Zeke, Asher, and a few others as we tried to figure out where the witches were reconvening.
Asher had left a few men to scout the town the witches had once occupied, but none had showed up since. Just yesterday, he’d sent his Beta, who had been on leave taking care of his mate and newborn son, to Alpha Bran’s pack to act as Alpha in his stead.
Other groups were sent out to visit neighboring human towns. Clara and Mason went with most of them, mainly because of Clara’s ability to tell if there was any magic cast on the area.
All week, I kept up with practicing Conjuration, and as easy as it was becoming, I was still utterly exhausted after every attempt. I’m sure it didn’t help that there was a new stressor involved, one that had me questioning every move I made in case I somehow pulled magic from the wrong source.
Cordelia assured me that I’d know if I were drawing on dark magic, but the fear still remained.
Halfway through the week, Chris showed up. Per our old tradition, I stayed hidden as he entered the training room, greeting an entire class full of students. When he turned to introduce himself, I launched my attack.
The old man still had killer senses, because not a second after I sounded my battle cry, he’d pivoted on his heel and struck. We fought for what felt like fifteen minutes, neither one of us yielding until Emilia came in and began clapping. A truce was called, but I know I would’ve won had we kept going for just a few more minutes. Funny enough, Chris said the same thing about himself.
It was Thursday night when something changed-when the other shoe finally dropped.
The shadows had been restless for hours, thrashing and writhing in the forest the moment the sun had gone down. I could hear them whispering from where I stood on the balcony just outside our bedroom.
Asher had his arms wrapped around my waist, his damp hair tickling my cheek as he spoke, but I wasn’t listening.
I could hear them. They were trying to work up the courage to come closer, to speak to me directly. Their slippery little voices had grown in angst after I’d learned it was my family line that created them, and that it hadn’t been conjuration that allowed me to control them without making deals, but the fact that they came from my magic.
Our bedroom darkened as the shadows had finally come to a consensus. The lamp on our bedside table, which was currently on, began to flicker. When it sputtered out, cloaking the room in absolute darkness, I noticed the shadowy mass that had appeared.
It hovered over the carpet, writhing and twitching as it condensed into the form of a man.
Asher stood nearby, his arm around my waist as he stared at the shadows. He was suppressing his surprise, but I felt it seep through the bond. It was still jarring, even after all this time, seeing them up close and hearing their dark, melodic voices.
Newcomers, they have arrived…
The shadows whispered, dozens of voices overlapping one another as they spoke almost in tandem.
“Who has?” Asher demanded, narrowing his golden eyes into a glare.
We do not speak to you, Cursed Alpha.
Every muscle in my body tensed, right down to my fingers and toes. I locked eyes with my mate, both of us wondering if we’d heard the same thing and if we had, what it could possibly mean.
“Who has arrived?” I asked them. “Tell me, now.”
Vampires.
Their hiss lingered in the air.
“They’ve arrived here? At the pack?”
Not here. Safe-haven.
I sucked in a sharp breath and looked at Asher, but he was already mid-mind-link with Zeke and the others. Weeks ago, I’d asked the shadows to watch over the safe haven, the town we were still in the process of creating for the Vampire’s. I wasn’t sure they’d actually listen, but they did. This was the first piece of news I’d gotten from them, and already I knew we needed to act.
There was only one other I’d given the location to, someone whose survival would be a testament to my newfound magic.
Deacon.
“Everyone’s up and getting ready. We’ll leave within the hour and get there before sunrise.” Asher grunted.
His posture was tense, and his jaw locked tight. It wasn’t the newcomers that had him like this, but what the shadows had called him. I placed my hand on his bicep, the sparks dancing between us, tickling our nerve endings.
“You called Asher, Cursed Alpha. Why?” I snapped, hardening my voice as I turned on the humanoid shadow. “I demand you tell me.”
He is cursed.
I kept pressing, fearful they’d vanish and leave us with more questions than answers. “Who cursed him?”
One you trust has betrayed you. Betrayed you all.
“How can we break it?” I asked, desperation laced in my voice. Asher’s arm around my waist was all that held me back from charging at the shadows, as if that would do any good.
What’s done, is done.
Magic stirred in my gut, but before I could use it the lamp on our bedside table flicked on, and the shadows vanished. A whisper lingered in the air; one I somehow knew only I could hear.
You cannot ssstop him, massster. Through carnage and death, the curse will be fulfilled.
“Actually, I Googled it.” Zeke grinned, but quickly wiped the expression away for one of his rare, serious moments. “For real, though. There are only rumors circulating right now, nothing anyone is taking too seriously. When this gets out, word will spread.
The entire world will know what happened here today, and that their future will forever be changed. For what it’s worth, you’re doing the right thing. Exactly what a Luna and Queen of the Undead would do.”
“That is not my official title and you know it, Zeke.” I scolded him, swallowing the emotion in my throat every time he threw out some of his wisdom.
“Well, your actual title is a bit of a mouth full. Who has time to say, ‘heir to the Kouritis bloodline, companion to the shadows, host to the Renaldi magic – -?” He pouted, jutting out his lower lip.
The expression made him look younger, less of the rugged Playboy he acted like. “Besides, Queen of the Undead has a nice ring to it.”
“I’m glad you think so, because you’re the only one allowed to call me that.”
“Which is what makes it even better.” He smirked, giving Breyona and I a half wave. “I think I’ve hyped you up enough for one afternoon, I need to go bother your mate about security detail. We’ll be right there on stage with you.”
“The man says he wants a mate, but I don’t think he could slow down if he tried.” Breyona laughed breathlessly, shaking her head at where Zeke had stalked away. Her eyes met mine, flickering with humor even though she was nervous about tonight as well. “I think since you’ve become the Vamp Queen, this is the most fun he’s ever had as Alpha.”
“Whoever she is, I already know we’re going to like her.” I smirked, “Especially if she can tame him.”
“So, are you ready for this?” She asked after a few seconds.
“Not at all. What about you?”
“Oh, hell no” She chuckled, her eyes flitting over to where Giovanni stood, always watching her. He had become ultra-protective since her wolf was locked away, a trait I understood entirely, even if it was a little overbearing. “I’m not even the one speaking and I’m nervous.”
“Here’s to hoping I don’t fall off the stage or puke on someone.”
“I think you’ll surprise yourself, Lola.” She smiled softly, a genuine one that gave me just a hint of courage. “You’ve changed from the girl you used to be.
I always knew that when you finally came home, you’d shake things up. Granted, I didn’t think things would change this much, but I’m ready to help you work towards a better future, we all are.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to give this speech?” I chuckled breathlessly, blinking back the emotion that prickled behind my eyes.
“Now, I’d definitely puke on everyone.” She grinned, making it nearly impossible to remain nervous and fearful.
“Would you mind if I borrowed our Luna?” Asher’s gravelly voice slid up my spine, wrapping around my neck as it filtered through my ears. I turned and tried not to lose my breath entirely.
His usually messy hair was styled, paired perfectly with the button- down shirt and slacks he wore. The dark colored clothing made the unusual shade of gold in his eyes stand out, swirling and churning with the darkness in them.
“Not at all, Alpha.” Breyona smirked, mouthing ‘good luck’.
“Zeke told me you were terrified.” His chuckle was deep and rich, as was the smirk that fell on his face.
“He would use that particular phrase, wouldn’t he?” I grunted, lifting an eyebrow at him from where he stood across the room. I ro11ed my eyes at his grin and turned back to Asher, “I’m not terrified, I’m nervous. There’s a difference.”
“We’re all nervous, Lola.” His voice was the courage I needed, the confirmation that there was nothing wrong with feeling this way. “With all of the changes that have come our way so far, I’d be concerned if you weren’t worried.”
“I’m worried not everyone will be accepting.” I admitted reluctantly, forced to look at the golden swirls in his eyes when his hand tilted my head up. The last part was quiet, quiet enough that only Asher could hear, “That I’ll tear this pack apart.”
The stage manager waved us forwards, letting us know we were on.
“Not everyone will be accepting, that is an inevitability.” He shook his head, not at all phased. “There will be some who wish to challenge you, but I know that my Luna can hold her own. Those who matter, whose loyalty spans countless generations, they’ll follow us.”
Over and over, I repeated the words I needed to say. I took a deep breath, and then two. There would be no fear, no shame or hesitation. I was so much more than this world knew, but they were about to find out.
I stepped out from behind the billowing curtain in front of me, and faced the crowd of thousands.
Our world was no longer safe, no longer as secure as we wanted to believe. Vampires were no longer content with hiding in the shadows, and the witches–they had plans of their own.
For years, we had turned a blind eye as the Vampire’s gathered, cultivating their race and accumulating their resources. Only when they were on our doorstep, did we finally see truth and fight back.
There were still many of us who had refused to believe the Vampires were even an issue in the first place.
Now, there’s something even greater calling to our attention. Something that will require both Vampires and Werewolves cooperation, which has been all but impossible in the past.
Things are changing since my father’s lifeblood watered the earth, and the power and weight of my new role came crashing down upon my shoulders.
There is magic in the world, magic that many of us had forgotten about. It had left for a while, and no one alive cares to remember why.
It’s finally waking up again, bringing Goddess knows what along with it.