Alpha Asher by Jane

Read Alpha Asher [by Jane Doe] Chapter 85 – The first thing I did was try to mind-link Breyona. I was hit with a wall of darkness, of nothing. Even as I stumbled through the dark, I knew they had placed silver on some part of her body. Mind-linking her would be impossible until the silver was removed. Breyona had given her wolf-form to save Giovanni, but her wolf still resided within her, simply trapped in her human body. Enhanced speed and strength she would retain, as well as her connection to the pack. My nerves felt horribly fried, but panicking would do me no good. I needed to stay calm for Breyona’s sake, and come up with a plan to save their lives.

Once the fight had ended, Asher came inside the house. I watched as his entire frame went rigid with anger. Not only did they want me in return for Breyona and Giovanni’s lives, but they had come here with the purpose of taking Giovanni. I knew it was a low blow for Asher, as Breyona was a part of his pack, and he was tasked with protecting us all. I sent a gentle soothing wave down the mate-bond between us, watching as some of the tension faded from his shoulders.

Asher had lost little men during this fight; Luna Freya’s men were not so lucky. The bodies of both wolf and man were scattered about, and Breyona’s car was beyond destroyed. I figured that was the Vampire King’s intention, to use Luna Freya’s men in replacement of his own. After all, what was more d**d wolves to the Vampire King?

Asher gathered a group of men and began dragging some of the fallen into the woods to b**n. We pulled the bodies of our own men behind a building, keeping them out of sight. Their families would need to mourn properly, and a large f*****l would be held for them. I helped the guys drag the bodies into the forest, though I could only manage one at a time. Each of us wore a grim expression on our face, all thinking the same thing.

The Vampire King had done nothing but toy with us for weeks now, and had taken little action to throw this pack into disarray. We still had little information on the Vampire King, and hadn’t a clue where he might set up base. I had seen the stone bedroom in my short visits with Tristan, but couldn’t gleam enough information to name a specific place. Their headquarters had to be close enough for immediate action, but far enough away to remain safe and inconspicuous.

A plan was beginning to take root in my mind, though I needed to think the entire thing through. The war between Vampires and Werewolves was inevitable, but this pack had been taunted enough. Alpha Asher had brought in nearly a thousand of his men from across his vast territory. Many housed with other families and filled all the nearby Hotels. Bran and Zeke’s men were in the same situation, taking what shelter they could find, or accepting the tents Asher had given them. Food had been provided at the large Community Center in town, courtesy of the influx of volunteers we received. Asher had resumed training two weeks ago, expanding the size of his class by another hundred students. Anyone willing and able to fight would have a place in this war.

Asher split the training up into smaller groups, assigning some of his men to the task. I was surprised at the influx of volunteers, young men and women willing to risk their lives for this pack. Despite Asher’s cruel reputation, he was willing to give everything for this pack. I could tell by the look in his eyes, that Asher would give his life before forcing any of his people to fight. It was a side of him I had never knew existed, a side that changed the way I viewed him.

A couple days ago, I had talked over evacuation plans with Alpha Asher. His territory was vast, but the Vampires were targeting the center of our town. Many of the citizens could head to the opposite end of Asher’s territory, nearly four hours away. Others could escape into the nearby city, finding shelter until the war was finished. What we needed was inside information, we needed a heads up on when this war was happening. Without it, we were all as good as d**d.

I was once the type of person to jump into a situation without thinking. While I’m still stubborn and headstrong, I had learned my lesson. As insane as my plan was, I had thought the entire thing through. There was no other option for this pack. My sense of self-preservation and my duties as Luna were at war, but they had not changed my decision.

The smell of burning bodies lingered in the forest, the dark smoke spewing into the sky, covered by the darkness of night. The breeze was blowing in the opposite direction, a gift from nature that the people in this pack would not have to endure the stench of d***h. Asher’s men made quick work of cleaning the blood from the streets, houses, and cars.

Exhaustion had long ago settled in my bones as countless hours had passed. My feet ached from the flats Breyona had given me, and the dress I wore was speckled in dirt and ash. I smelled like a walking corpse, and promised myself a long shower once we were finished. I visibly jumped as Asher placed a hand on my shoulder, the comforting sparks licking over my skin.

“Let’s head back, let the rest of the men finish cleaning up.” Asher spoke lowly, his eyes still dark and troubled.

Asher led me down the road to where I had parked Zeke’s Mercedes. The car had somehow remained untouched, not a scratch on the shiny paint.

“Good, Zeke will be happy to hear his car survived.” Asher chuckled dryly, slipping in the driver’s seat.

Asher had thrown on a pair of loose sweatpants after returning to his human form. While it was hard to take my eyes from his rippling muscles and creamy skin, the two of us had other things on our mind. I’m sure Asher already assumed I was coming up with a plan, and had no intention of letting Breyona or Giovanni d*e for me. Instead of demanding answers from me, we drove home in a comfortable silence.

‘Attention everyone. It is safe to return to your houses. The threat has been neutralized.’

Asher sent a quick message through the mind-link, informing everyone in town that it was now safe to return home. My birthday had quickly gone downhill, though I had no one to blame but my Father. I still considered it a blessing that Asher was my mate, even with the problem of Tristan’s stubborn mark.

When we arrived at the packhouse, Dad had taken most of the elderly home in his truck. Grandma had already baked up a storm in the kitchen and was putting her cookies and brownies into Tupperware containers. They each had their own ways of coping with stress. Despite Dad’s injured knee, he insisted on being hands on. Grandma liked to bake enough pastries for the entire country.

The smell of Grandma’s pastries filled the house, and I couldn’t help but meander into the kitchen. Tupperware containers were stacked by the dozen, and I watched as Grandma wiped down the counters with a rag, humming softly to herself. A relieved grin formed on her face as she caught my eye, pulling me into a hug that soothed some of the unease in my stomach.

Mason doing?” She

others clean up.” I sighed, giving her

only one’s busy.”

face as he looked at my Grandma, one that made me want to ask about his family. Grandma gave Asher a gentle nod, a bright smile

to the family, Alpha.” Grandma chuckled, “I’m

to some families tomorrow?” Asher asked, eyeing the dozens of Tupperware containers. “Save a few for us,

brightened at Asher’s words, and I snickered as she shot me a knowing look. She had always judged someone’s character on whether or not they liked her cooking, and so far, Asher

will.”

to the house. The four of them piled into Dad’s

of my hair and breathing deeply. His face contorted in a grimace,

yourself, mate.” I smirked, making a

sleep tonight.” Asher muttered, though a rare smile had

some of the tension from my body, but my mind was clouded with worry. There was no way Asher would agree with my plan, but it was our last resort. The Vampire King would grow tired of taunting us, and we needed information before that

Tristan’s mark still lingering on my skin. The wound Asher had left on my neck

is still there.” Asher growled lowly, tracing his finger over it with

have a mate for each side.” I frowned, “I asked them to remove it, but

“What did they ask?”

our mate-bond.” I spoke softly, tracing my finger over the wound I had left on Asher’s blemish-free skin. “I couldn’t

Asher snarled, “What do you

his eyes, holding his dark stare. I let

compared to the way I feel

lips collided, my back slapping against the tiled wall. Desperation, love, and jealousy flashed within the kiss,

silk blankets grazing my b**e skin softly. Asher pulled me into his arms, and I

my voice a sleepy mumble. “I

Mom’s name is Claire, my Dad is Killian. They had a rough start as mates, but it worked out in the end. I have an annoying

I asked, my words somewhat slurring together. “How did

away when all of this began. My Mom, Dad, Brother, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins are all someplace safe.” Asher replied, “As for my Mom, she dealt with some things when she was younger, things that came back to haunt her. Dad wasn’t so understanding at first, but

My voice came out soft. Anything else Asher had said fell on deaf ears,

the bed was still warm, letting me know he hadn’t been up for long. I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, and headed down to the kitchen. Asher smirked as I walked through the door, one of my Grandma’s

asked, an eyebrow raised. I made myself a cup of

another bite, “Can you blame me? You and Zeke ate everything last time. I never thought lavender cookies would be

underestimate Grandma’s baking.” I shook my head, grabbing a cookie for myself. “She’ll have you on the ground if she hears you