Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 213

I floated suspended in this blissful darkness for what felt like hours. Nothing could touch me here. Not the weight of exhaustion pulling me down or the agony squeezing at my muscles and bones.

It was a reprieve, but one thing about reprieves is that they never last too long.

At first, it started in small flashes. An explosion of light here and there, a flicker of pain, a whisper of voices just outside my minds reach.

Eventually, those flashes became longer and more drawn out. The light became blinding, tinted with colors and shapes that moved. Voices took form, names flashing in my memory as I began to recognize them.

Each time I gathered the strength to open my eyes, it was sucked away by some

intangible force. With each sensation that returned, my least favorite was my dry throat.

I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open for long enough to drink anything, but what I wanted most was some damn blood. A few times I swore I saw the outline of

Asher’s face, always hovering over me, silently protecting me from any and everything.

When I gathered the strength to keep my eyes open for more than a few seconds, the first thing I latched onto was a feminine voice.

It’s high pitch and friendly tone struck my memory at its core and dredged up a familiar name.

Cassidy.

Asher’s voice was thrown into the mix, tight with unease that twisted my empty stomach into knots. It rumbled miserably, as if it knew I dared to think about it.

“What’s going on?” I asked, but my mouth was so dry it came out as a crusty groan.

Asher was at my side before I could blink, moving so fast it startled me, but I was too weak to react. His hands roamed my arms, shoulders, and finally, my face. Each caress of his calloused hands was unbearably soft, bringing on such gentle sparks that my eyelids fluttered, and the darkness reached out with loving hands to suck me back in.

Thankfully, he pulled away before I could pass out again and promptly shoved something small and skinny into my mouth.

Without knowing what it was my throat worked to pull. When the taste of blood hit my tongue, rich and tangy, all thought was lost. I kept going until the winded.

straw sputtered and ran dry, but I wasn’t nearly full.

“What’s going on?” I asked again.

This time my words weren’t garbled nonsense. Cassidy hovered nearby; her shoulders lax with relief.

“What do you remember last?” Asher asked, clasping our hands together.

My heart began to flutter when he pressed my hand to his lips and waited for my response. A dull ache spread across my forehead as I followed the dwindling breadcrumbs in my memory that led me back to what happened before the darkness held me in it’s grasp.

“Um, I remember going to the safe haven and meeting Tristan’s mother. I sort of remember using magic to protect the land, but that’s where things get hazy.” I admitted.

“You did, you protected everyone. There’s now a force field over the entire safe haven, but you didn’t stop there. You fixed all of the damage the witches had done. Every house, every car, the sidewalk …even the streets look brand new.” He exhaled, shoulders stiff and rigid.

There was amazement in his voice, but his expression was pinched. Those eyes of his I adored so much were shuttered with worry.

“That doesn’t explain why I’m now lying -in bed back at home.” I pointed out, lazily looking around our bedroom. “Wait a second. I passed out, didn’t I?”

Asher lifted his head, nodding slowly.

You did. You’ve been out of it for four days now.”

My heart just about seized in my chest.

“Four days?!”

and Rowena

one could do anything to wake you up, but Rowena was certain

hoping to alleviate his grimace. When the crease in between his eyebrows smoothed out, I mustered

something else is going on, isn’t it?” I took one glance at Cassidy, remembering the feverish way they spoke to

but it was Cassidy that spoke

no reason to be.”

her way to training when she stopped by. Her gym bag rested on the floor, the chord of her headphones hanging out the side

heard from him. He asks for a leadership position, then pulls this stunt. It doesn’t

in four days?” I frowned, my eyes darting between the

head, her

witches and wanted to kick back and have fun. He said something about near death experiences and wanting to get drunk, but that’s your brother. Obviously, I

that made me wonder exactly what Brandon had done all those years

amused but managed

remember.”

sex- induced bender with this chick and didn’t think to tell any of us where he was.” She explained, flashing me the same amused look she’d given Asher.

sound like something Brandon

to check in and let mom know he

my eyebrows inching closer together and lips falling.

the best of times, but if there was one

called this time?”

even sent a text.” Asher replied.

her hands on her hips and shook her head

life if he could see the two of you worrying like a pair of mother hen’s.” She giggled, softening her tone when she turned

just a touch overprotective. You know how your brother is, and you know that sooner or later, he always comes crawling back. I’d say give him the rest of the week, and then

Asher grunted, pinching the bridge of his

phantom throb of his headache rippled across the

slung it over her shoulder, waving at the two

what I said though, Asher. He’s probably just partied too hard and lost his phone in the toilet again.” She snorted, shaking her head like she was reliving a

finally

been a bore without you, but I’ll let Chris know you’re doing alright. See

shouted our goodbye’s as she left, but our eyes

the front door slammed

was settled against his chest, snaking his arms around my waist, and holding me there. When he buried his nose in

about this?” Asher

Are you talking about your

“My brother.”

in thought. “I think you should follow your gut. A big part of being Alpha is relying on your intuition, right? It hasn’t led you wrong yet. So, what’s

long seconds,

telling me that something

fill his eyes swirling like they were suspended in oil and water. His lips flattened into a thin line, and when that crease on his forehead returned, I placed my fingers

you feel it?” He asked, staring off into the distance, eyes trained towards. our

right away and instead tried to open myself

wafting in through the balcony doors was warm, almost annoyingly so. It carried the scents of the outdoors, of the forest and soil. To anyone else, it would’ve

your breath for too long and your lungs began to burn, almost on

loosened his hold enough for me to stare into his

the warriors on high

lock down. The only ones going in or out are

to grow, and fear quickly followed in its footsteps. There was no way I was going to sit here and stew in it. Not after spending the last four days unconscious. If it wasn’t my growing determination that forced me onto my feet, then it was the fact that my stomach was woefully

raid the refrigerator. Then, I’m going to go and get some damn answers. Are you in?” I asked him, holding

grim smile curled at his lips as

“I’m in.” 1

of water, two blood bags, and a sandwich, I was finally ready to