Alpha Asher by Jane

Read Alpha Asher by Jane Doe Chapter 196

A few hours after the sun had set and the chill of night kicked in, the rest of our guests showed up.

Tristan and Holly stepped inside toting a cooler full of blood bags, which I eagerly took to the icebox in the garage. My reserved half-sister looked elegant as ever, wearing a midnight cocktail dress that somehow seemed to blend in perfectly. Her hair was identical to my own, falling down her back in long dark waves, only it was pinned back with a single crimson bow.

She smiled shyly at everyone, but was quickly swept away by Cassidy, who had no qualms striking up conversation with anyone. Kendrick followed her around like a lost puppy, but judging by the cheeky grin on his face, he was just happy to be here. Tristan remained by her side, a detail I quickly noticed, but he too could only stay quiet for so long with Cass launching question after question at him.

During their stay in Asher’s family home, Dad and grandma had become good friends with his parents and wandered into the living room to chat. Sean tagged along, followed by Zeke, the two of them shoving one another and cracking jokes like old friends.

Mason and Clara, who had been glued to one another’s hip since wandering into the house, ventured onto the back porch with Breyona and Giovanni. From the kitchen I could hear Breyona grilling Mason over his relationship with Clara, but it was the witch that provided most of the answers.

It was chaos in the best way possible, a sea of chatter and laughter that seemed to have no end. No matter what room you went into, you’d find the same thing.

As the grill was being prepped, everyone picked at the sweets grandma had brought. Not a single one of us was exempt from her k****r baking skills. Not that I’d say anything, but I swore I saw Kendrick wrap a few cookies in a napkin before slipping them in his pocket.

An hour or two passed and I found myself wandering onto the back porch, a chilled blood bag in my hand. Drinking the stuff was almost normal to me now, even when I left it in the bag rather than pouring it into a cup.

My dad and Killian were manning the grill, though dad had slipped inside for another beer. Breyona and Giovanni were perched on the outdoor sectional with Mason and Clara at their sides, each one sipping on a different drink, though by the smell I’m pretty sure Giovanni was drinking blood. After a short conversation with Killian, who was just as stoic and brooding as Asher, I was waved down by Breyona.

I plopped down in between Giovanni and Mason, inhaling the mouthwatering scent of grilled burgers and steaks that emanated from the smoke curling in the air.

“Alright, you lured me here. How exactly are you responsible for turning me into a shadow wolf?” Breyona asked, effectively silencing all other conversations going on. Even Mason and Clara turned to join in, both waiting curiously.

Asher’s voice popped into my mind, floating through the mind-link.

‘Want me to come out there?’ He asked, his gruff voice making my heart skip a beat.

‘It’s alright. I can explain things well enough. Besides, I don’t think Zeke’s commentary would help.’ I laughed, hearing his voice in the background.

There was a gentle, reassuring brush of warmth through the mate-bond before our mind-link ended and I was left to explain the situation.

“My magical type is called conjuration. I can basically conjure things into existence, whether it be physical, like opening a door, or something like turning a regular wolf into a shadow beast. I don’t know the actual limits on my power yet since the book we have is missing a bunch of pages, but I’m almost positive it’s why your wolf is different now.”

been listening, giving me her undivided attention, when her face contorted in

wolf? Don’t get me wrong, I’m

and wasn’t sure I ever would. “So, I don’t think you were ever meant to get your wolf back. When it was taken from you, that should’ve been it, but something changed when you got hurt. I commanded them to save you, and instead of wanting to make a deal

think being in the shadows possession changed her wolf’s form.” Giovanni stated, speaking for the first time in what felt like an hour. His eyes were as dark as the night sky but were as piercing as

and warmth. It filled my veins with the same feeling, sharpening the forest and back porch until everything seemed brighter in color. “It’s even more proof that I need to master this thing before it gets out of control. Its terrifying that any thought I have could

a look of determination on her face that only appeared when she was

only right that I do my duty as your best-friend and help you. How are you supposed to master this? Where should

aren’t life or d***h.” I shrugged, “Your guess is as good as

Clara was curled up on the sectional, her body pivoted towards Mason’s. I couldn’t help but notice the way she’d smile, curling her plump lips at him as she batted her eyelashes. From what I could tell, it wasn’t one sided either. When a breeze stirred and Clara shivered, Mason was quick

feelings towards Clara and after all Mason had gone through, he deserved his happily ever after, even if it was one without his fated mate. I

She asked, that look of

wondering

a moment. He’s worried he’s

fingers, a grin spreading wide across her face. With her slender jawline and

For your first practice session, fix your

had on a grin of her own, her curls bouncing as she nodded eagerly. Only Mason, whose wide eyes

I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

think

the worst that could happen?” Breyona chimed in, but Mason still seemed

very, very specific.” Clara suggested. Her eyes twinkled with humor, “Wouldn’t want your brother to end up with

her head out, her eyes trailing over the five of us before darting over to where

as she smiled, and within the fine lines on her face I could see traces of Asher. She gave him her long lashes and plush lips, while Killian gave him the harsher aspects of his appearance. Claire eyed the five of us and asked, ” What’s

wrapping her arms around his waist and watching as he flipped a couple burgers and checked the temperature of

has a balding issue he’d like Lola to fix, and like the caring little sister she is, she’s thinking about helping him.” Killian remarked, the corners of

sweetly. “Oh, how kind of you, Lola! I promise I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’m

attention. Even Killian was smiling, which was as odd as seeing Asher smile. The two men were so tightly under wraps the slightest bit

of siblings. Even when the entire pack was afraid of me,

own giggle when an idea weaseled its way into my head, one