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?!”

had Cordelia and Rowena stop by.

up, but Rowena was certain you passed out from

to alleviate his grimace. When the crease in between his

on, isn’t it?” I took one glance at Cassidy,

his lips, but it was

no reason to be.” She said lightly, an understanding smile curling at her

she was on her way to training when she stopped by. Her gym bag rested on the floor,

asks for a leadership position, then pulls this

days?” I frowned, my eyes darting between

shook her head, her blonde ponytail

I wanted to go to some frat party days ago. He said he’d just gotten back from fighting the 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 told him I wasn’t interested.” She snorted, then placed her hand on Asher’s shoulder. “Look, you know your brother. This isn’t the first time he’s gone off on a bender. Hell, you remember when he met that Cuban girl?”

eyebrow at Asher, her lips tilting in a smirk that made me wonder exactly what Brandon had done all those years ago.

didn’t seem as amused but managed a

I remember.” He

and didn’t think to tell any

Brandon

that time though to check in and let mom know he wasn’t dead in a ditch

matched his expression, my eyebrows inching closer together

times, but if there was one thing he cared about

called this

hasn’t even sent a

on her hips and shook her head at us.

two of you worrying like a pair of mother hen’s.” She giggled,

lately, but maybe you’re being just a touch overprotective. You know how your brother is, and you know that sooner or

probably right.” Asher grunted, pinching

his headache rippled across the bond and made

bag and slung it over

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

you’re finally

without you, but I’ll let Chris

she left, but our eyes were

second the front

onto Asher’s lap, enveloped by his warmth and spicy scent. He let out a deep breath once I was settled against his chest, snaking his arms around my waist, and holding me there. When he buried his nose in my hair and inhaled sharply, I didn’t fight it.

you think about this?” Asher murmured against

at him through my lashes. ” Are you talking about your brother

“My brother.”

thought. “I think you should follow your gut. A big part of being Alpha is relying on your intuition, right?

few long seconds, he

telling me that something isn’t right.”

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 against it hoping it would disappear. When it didn’t, my skin

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

instead tried to open myself to whatever it was he

so. It carried the scents of the outdoors, of the forest and soil. To anyone else, it would’ve been a beautiful day. There was unbridled sunlight streaming through the windows, beautiful if not for the tightness in my

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

I replied, squirming until Asher loosened his hold enough for me to stare into his

the warriors

are both on lock down. The only ones going

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

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

lips as he placed his hand

“I’m in.” 1

and a sandwich, I was finally ready to get