Alpha Asher by Jane

‘You're telling me that not even twenty-four hours after I left, you're driving to some creepy guy’s camper in the middle of the forest because Cassidy made the mistake of hanging out with him after you warned her not to?’ Breyona deadpanned. The dry tone of her voice through the mind-link made me clench my hands tighter around the steering wheel. |

‘Yep.’ I replied, popping the ‘p’ for emphasis. ‘ Even though that’s not why I mind-linked you.’

‘I know, you mind-linked me to ask if my parents could find anything on Alpha’s that the world doesn’t already know, which is unlikely but yeah I'll ask them.’ She replied with a small huff. ‘Now back to what you're currently doing, which is driving into certain doom without telling your Alpha of a mate what’s going on.’

‘I'm not driving into certain doom.’ ! rolled my eyes, ‘...but yes, that’s what I’m doing and no, Asher does not know about it. If he did, he’d turn right around and demand he come with me.’

‘Well, since there’s no talking you out of it and Cassidy needs help, you need to take someone with you.’ She insisted, nght as always even though I was currently low on available werewolves.

‘Who said they have to be a werewolf?’ Maya mused.

Without needing further clarification, I let out a long sigh and adjusted my route to a certain vampire’s house.

When I strolled through the front door, taking a mental note that it was unlocked, and popped my head into the dimly lit kitchen, it wasn't Tristan’s lean form I saw standing at the stove, but Holly. It had been so long since I'd seen her that I didn’t even notice the charred grilled cheese sitting on the plate she cradled in her hands. Her pin straight hair was the same silken ebony as mine, though she often wore hers in a long braid that fell over her shoulder.

“Oh. Hello, Lola.” She said softly, in a voice much higher than my own. Her eyes rested on my face and were unblinking in a way most people found unsettling, but I knew she was simply giving me her undivided attention. There was a wispy quality to her voice that reminded me of wind chimes swaying in a gentle summer breeze. She blinked once and tilted her head. “ Something’s wrong, isn't it? Tristan will be back shortly. He left to get me more cheese. I’ve been trying to cook, but I’m afraid this stove works too well.”

She gestured to the stovetop, which was set on high heat until the burner glowed a bright shade of red. I glanced down at the square shaped charcoal on her plate and reached over the stovetop to turn the dial down to medium heat.

“Try it again, that should help. Tristan didn’t teach you how to control the heat?” I questioned, watching as she tossed the charred sandwich in the trash and grabbed two more slices of white bead. “As for what's wrong, a friend is in trouble, but Tristan should be able to help.”

half shrugged, the serene expression on her face unfaltering. “I’m sure he’ll help, but only if it’s you or I who asks.” 2 “Is

human food.” She hummed under her breath, and as she finished the beginning stages of her grilled cheese, she set the butter coated bread down and turned to meet my stare. Her nails drummed across the countertop softly. “There’s something you want to do, but you're feeling guilty about it. I can’t tell anything else, other than it has to do

brain to catch up and formulate a reply, but nothing came out. Surprise unfurled across my face, lifting my eyebrows, and reddening

this in

you for considering the therapist you chose is quite lovely, it’s been easier to use my magic. The less nightmares I have, the more

“You can ask me for help, you know. You tried to be close to me once, and I pushed you away. I wasn’t ready for a sister then, but I am now.

willing to help me?” I couldn't help the surprise and skepticism that bled into my voice, along with the kernel of hope that she was being truthful. “Even if it meant lying to

be more than pissed at me, but I'd risk everything—right down to our bond if it meant keeping him and this pack safe from harm. He needed

is no threat to me, Lola.” She reassured me with a small half-smile, but it was her knowing tone

..I want to put a protection spell on Asher.” It wasn’t

in.” She nodded, and while the gesture would've seemed normal to some people, I could tell there

the day to gather the supplies and study the spell book I have.” I told her, leaving out the part about Asher

assembled would make it to the borders of the deserted pack

tell Tristan—” I began but was cut off by the front door swinging open, followed by

Vampire asked, his pale eyes washing over my face before flitting to Holly’s. They had lingered on the marks on my neck fora fraction of a second, and I ignored the

a girl's night tomorrow, isn't that wonderful Tristan?” Holly said in her sing-song voice, closing

gnashing together as dread filled

grim expression on his face. The Vamp had brooding down to

sister's?” Holly scolded him, but it was almost playful how she laughed and tugged the package of cheese out of his hands. “We'll be fine, I promise. You're more than welcome to tag along if you think we need the protection. Lola’s going to

on where she was going with this, but before I could play along I had to swallow the nervousness I felt when realizing how well

boy talk, popcorn, and the best romantic comedies of our time. Oh, and don’t forget