Alpha Asher by Jane

Read Alpha Asher [by Jane Doe] Chapter 101 – Two Days Before Announcement

“You’re sure they’re going to accept me? ” I asked for the thirtieth time since passing the ‘Welcome to the town of Pine Plains.”

I had yet to see a single building, house, or spec of life since passing that sign. There seemed to be nothing but unending forest, caps of juniper and pine that inched higher and higher as they veered up the slopes of the mountainous terrain.

The scent of sap and earth permeated the air, mixing with the richness of the trees, slipping through the sliver in the window as we coasted down the highway. The views were incredible; jagged walls of earth surrounded us as we drove through and around mountains.

We had been driving for hours now, but the finality of everything hadn’t truly set in until I saw the sign, reminding me that we were growing closer and

closer to the capital of Asher’s- -of our pack.

” I have no doubt they’ll accept you.” Asher replied from the driver’s seat, the depth of his voice near matching the rumble of the engine as we sped up an incline. Even though the sounds were similar, only one affected me so much.

Eyes I had once thought were honey colored, but were actually full of golden fragments, were locked on me in the passenger seat. The way his eyes would heat when he looked at me for too long, darkening the golden hues into something savage, the impact of it hit me full force every time.

I swallowed heavily when they drifted downwards, to the charcoal-colored dress I had picked out for this special occasion. It was the most professional article of clothing I had in my closet, along with a pair of black pumps. The dress fit to my athletic form,

which had toned even more over the last three months, and ended just above my knees. His eyes ventured back up, taking their time as I squirmed in my seat.

“They will accept you because you are my mate, and you deserve to be accepted. ” He smirked, revealing just a flash of canine before wiping the expression away. “As for our people, they will accept you because I do. They will respect you as I do, and trust will build over time.”

“Wow. They must have a lot of faith in you and your parents. ” I murmured in surprise. The next words that trickled through my brain might have been better left unsaid, but I had a bad habit of letting things slip past my lips. “Not many had that kind of loyalty towards Tyler or his parents. Most of them only stayed because there was no other option.”

” Not everyone is capable of inspiring that kind of loyalty.” Asher said with honesty in his voice, not at all irritated from the mention of my recently deceased ex-boyfriend. The man- -boy, I thought I’d mark, mate, and spend the rest of my life with. The excitement I once felt at being toted around on his arm made me want to gag. Asher’s eyes flickered over to me again, though this time only for a fraction of a second. “You’ll notice that my family

house isn’t very large. Most of the money that is taxed from the members of our pack is put back into the community, and the warriors who protect it.

Actually, a good portion of my parent’s income is from my morn.”

“Doesn’t your dad make money, from being Alpha?” I questioned, remembering how Tyler and I would run through the maze-like halls of his house, which seemed more like a mansion or estate.

There had been a time or two when I was very young, where I had actually become lost within those halls. The first few times Tyler had found me crying in the hallway, and would snicker at me as he led me downstairs. There was never a time where Tyler had to go without something, never a time where his family worried about making ends meet.

“Being an Alpha doesn’t come with a paycheck.” Asher chuckled lowly, the sound rumbling through his chest. Even though I felt like I knew the man well, some of the things he said surprised me. I soaked in every word, feeling out of step in the world of ruling. “A good Alpha takes what he needs to survive comfortably, only if his people are living in the same conditions.”

I replayed his words in my head for the rest of the drive, trying to apply them to my own newfound position as Queen of the Vampires. As we coasted down the curved highway that wrapped around the base of the mountain, I thought of my new role and how much trouble I had encountered in just three short months.

Since the d***h of their once King, things have been rocky. I was a newcomer , a tribrid without any roots. The ones who followed me did so out of duty and sense of self-preservation, but there were still many who voiced their opinions against me. I couldn’t blame them, not entirely.

After all, my first act in their world had been to assassinate their King.

The dark thoughts that swarmed my head scattered a s my name fell from Asher’s lips, fleeing from the sun that washed my world in tones of gold and amber.

“We’re just a few minutes away.” He told me with a grin, chuckling when my eyes flitted out the window.

“Is the capital of your pack in the middle of the forest?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow at him.

While I had expected a sprawling city, or at least a semi -bustling town, neither Maya or I would have complained if it was. It would give us an excuse to go on more than our morning runs, which had become few and far between already.

“Now you’re picturing huts, and little wooden cabins. ” Asher deadpanned, making me snicker where I sat.

“That and small fishing boats, nightly town bonfires…” My teasing trailed off when we coasted down another hill, and around a sharp curve.

Traffic seemed too thin at some point, making us and the two cars behind us the only ones on the road. In a moss -colored minivan behind us, with rusted rims and a bundle of lavender hanging from the rearview mirror , was my grandma, dad and Sean.

Breyona, her parents, and Mason followed behind, in a blacked-out SUV that held both Giovanni and Tristan inside.

We had decided to bring Holly along as well, to expose her more to the world. It was Holly I worried about the most.

She seemed to shut down once being rescued, fearful of this new place. She rode in the blacked-out SUV with Tristan and Giovanni, even though she could withstand direct daylight. Her half witch, half vampire genetics made sunlight uncomfortable, but not deadly.

As lost in thought as I was, I wasn’t oblivious to the passing forests and ravines. From the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of silver, and turned my head to see the very distinct outline of a wolf dashing through the woods. Anytime it neared closer to the tree line, I could see a flash of silver and a long snout.

told Asher, nodding towards the

eyes and cursing. What I did notice was the very distinct lack of surprise on his

we were almost here.“ He snorted, turning his eyes back to the road. I watched the muscle in his jaw move before looking back towards the silver wolf. “The welcoming committee tailing us right now is my younger

he’s running out of ground to

began to thin out, giving me a better view of my mate’s younger brother. We had talked

my wolf, he kept up with us easily, even over the rocky terrain. He was agile , I ‘d give him that. He pressed off of a particularly large stone and landed on four paws just a few seconds later , never losing speed. His eyes, which were a more washed-out shade of

you.” Asher deadpanned, never once looking over from where he sat. ”If you wave at him, he might

measure, I waved a

we were currently on became a two -lane bridge. There was no more earth on

going to jump.” I shook my head, certain of it. A few more seconds passed, but he wasn’t slowing down. If anything, he was gaining speed with every leap and push. I looked towards Asher with wide eyes, ”Is

cliff and was quiet for just a second, ”The fall won’t k**l him. Won’ t even break a bone if he sticks

” I pointed

Asher shrugged, lifting a thick

and air beneath his body. With his snout

the densely packed forest without another glimpse of silver fur or toffee

opened up. The tree’s veered off to the left and right, creating a bowl shape around the entire city with

at least three snowcapped mountains off in the distance, each one more

lamps. There were buildings with graffiti art on the

some of the harshness in his eyes smoothing out. ”Art galleries, classes, restaurants, and clubs are all on this side of town.

the random statues that seemed to have little monuments around town. Many of them were abstract pieces, twisted and curved. I couldn’t interpret a single one, but they were all incredible to

out as we passed another, ”Mom figured they’d look better around town than in a

a modest looking neighborhood, surrounded by little ponds

the assortment of toys across many of the lawns. The

heart thudded with every passing second, listening to the sound of smooth

version of Asher storming out the front door and down the porch steps. Large windows allowed light into the living room, giving me a glimpse at a leather sectional

chance to climb the porch steps before the front door was opening, and a petite woman came outside. Chestnut hair that drifted just a bit farther than her shoulders, along with a light spattering of freckles across her face. Asher’s morn still looked young, with slight creases around her eyes and mouth. A smile stole her face the moment

early.” She squealed, eyes lighting up as she clasped her hands together. She pivoted on her heel and glanced

morn’s voice ring throughout the house, telling Killian to get downstairs

warm smile. He was much like Asher with the limited facial expressions, the most frequent ones ranged from mildly disgruntled to full blown rage. The only difference

me Claire, and make yourself at home here. ” Asher’s morn beamed, pulling me into a hug even though I had no say.

there had been a time where I wanted her attention and advice. She gave Asher a smug grin and released me from her grip, ”I

do, but meeting my mate’s parents- –that was bound

family now. It’s been too long since we’ve had a full house. ” Claire shook her head, smiling softly

if they stay.” Killian grumbled, the look on

grin, even when Asher cocked a dark eyebrow

arrived just fifteen minutes later, pulling

to the front steps. Colorful flowers sat in rows, with a small wire fence protecting them from smaller creatures. The flowers themselves were wilted, only

hobbled over to the trunk to grab some of the smaller

Claire sighed, giving my grandma a tired grin. “I’ve tried just about everything, but

I’ll have these plants healthy in no time.” Grandma waved a hand at

worse than this one. Killian’s sister planted them for me, but they really do seem to hate me.” Claire chuckled, leading Grandma inside and to

grunted, reminding me far too much of Asher with his calm and poised demeanor. “You should be safe to

I snorted,

that savage sort of way. Asher let a small smirk form on his face at my question, while Killian actually rolled his

other son can be exhausting.“ Was all he said before returning to

Grandma was talking Claire’s ear off

beginning, actually having some friends that grew up in his pack. Dad was recounting his war stories, while Killian added a few of his own. We all but had to pry them away to make the reservation Asher had

Grandma smiled softly, but I could see the eagerness in her eyes at a new project. That garden would have no choice but to grow, no matter how much it detested Claire. “I ‘m going to get an early

Dad

at him, gesturing towards the door. “I made sure you were fed for twenty-five

and I snickered as Dad mumbled something incoherent, following us

popular one given it was Friday afternoon. I had been correct when

was a patio outside that overlooked a small lake, and

see I wasn’t the only one overdressed. Plenty of she-wolves

the street to the restaurant, I

I looked, people began

and into my stomach when his arm wound itself around my waist, holding me close under the eyes