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.

we’re being followed.“ I told Asher,

over once, then twice before rolling his eyes and cursing. What I did notice was the very

road. I watched the muscle in his

running out of ground to run on.“ I snickered,

younger brother. We

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

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

good measure, I waved

as the road we were currently on became a two -lane bridge. There was no more earth on either side

seconds passed, but he wasn’t slowing down. If anything, he was gaining speed with

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

as a wolf. ” I pointed

fast shifter. ” Asher shrugged, lifting a thick

into the air. One foot turned into six and then seven, until there was nothing but sky and air beneath his body. With his snout towards the glittering lake, the silver fur shrunk into his body, revealing

the densely packed forest without another glimpse of

turn to gasp when the forest finally opened up. The tree’s veered off to the left and right, creating a bowl shape around the entire city with steep mountain edge’s blocking everything

were at least three snowcapped mountains off in the distance, each

city was bathed in color. Brick buildings and cobalt shutters, plum colored park benches and flower wrapped street lamps. There were buildings with graffiti

” Asher smirked softly, some of the harshness in his

I marveled at 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

figured they’d look better around town than in a storage

was another ten-minute drive to a modest looking neighborhood,

many of the lawns. The

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

storming out the front door and down the porch steps. Large windows allowed

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 she saw us both, though I’m sure my face was one

clasped her hands together. She pivoted on her heel and

as I heard his morn’s voice ring throughout the house, telling Killian to

assumed was a 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 were that Asher’s eyes were completely unique from

you. All I ask is that you call me Claire, and make yourself at home here. ” Asher’s morn beamed, pulling me

time where I wanted her attention and advice. She gave Asher a smug grin and released me from her grip, ”I told him that once he left this town he’d finally find his mate. I knew from the very

I nodded, giving her a sheepish grin that showed just how out of my element I was. Fighting I could do, but meeting my mate’s parents- –that was bound to make anyone nervous. I stumbled over my words for a moment before regaining

course, we don’t mind. You’re all a part of the family now. It’s been too long since we’ve had a full house. ” Claire

if they stay.” Killian grumbled, the look on his face was equal

my grin, even when Asher

minutes later, pulling the van

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

and hobbled over to the trunk to grab some of the smaller bags. Asher and Sean grabbed

grandma a tired grin. “I’ve tried just about everything,

have these plants healthy in no time.”

one. Killian’s sister planted them for me, but

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

I snorted, glancing between both

suppressed brutality. Hidden behind smooth skin, dark lashes, and loads of silky hair. Attractive in that savage sort of way. Asher let a small smirk form on his face at my

son can be exhausting.“ Was all he said

I relished the chaos of it all. Grandma was talking Claire’s ear off about her garden, calling me over every few minutes to join in

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

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 start on that garden.

you eat, mom.“ Dad

try me.“ She frowned at him, gesturing towards the door. “I made sure you were fed for twenty-five years,

and I snickered as Dad mumbled something incoherent,

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

There was a patio outside that

was relieved to see I wasn’t the only one overdressed. Plenty of she-wolves wore dresses and shorts, enjoying the warmth that

vehicle and crossed the street to the

I looked, people began to notice Asher

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