Alpha Asher by Jane

Read Alpha Asher by Jane Doe Chapter 124 – “You’re absolutely positive?” I asked both dad and grandma, who were locked in a staring match that was now going on two minutes.

“She never brought Lola to your cottage?”‘ Dad’s lips fell, and everything inside of me regretted bringing this up.

From her leaving him years after having Sean, to returning with me in her arms and a shadow hovering over her shoulder. They had been through more than most mated couples, and somehow managed to make it work up until her d***h. Uncovering her secrets felt like peeling back the layers of my memories until the woman who had raised me was almost unrecognizable.

“No, not once.” Grandma replied. She and mom had never gotten along, and it was mom’s refusal to let us see her that drove a wedge in between her and I. Dating Tyler only wedged that chasm open even more.

“How old was I when she took me? When she came back, did she act any different? Did I act any different?”

“Your mom seemed happy… a lot more relaxed than when she left with you. We talked things out about Sean, and even asked him what he wanted us to do.” It took him a minute to think. By the time he spoke, I was so lost in thought I had nearly missed the sound of his voice. It had faded into the background along with the rundown of tonight’s football game told by the announcers. “Also, I’d say you were about nine or ten. I remember you were sleeping when she brought you home. Slept all night and all day too. She said you were tired from playing and staying up late, but I guess that wasn’t the case.”

“Nine or ten? If I was that old, how come I have no memory of it? I don’t even remember her and I going on a trip like that.”

“If she knew a witch that could preform a binding spell, isn’t it possible they also altered your memory?”‘ Grandma suggested, her voice kind even though there was no gentle way to say it.

Another problem that needed solving, only this solution required me uncovering memories that could’ve been scrubbed from my head by the same magic that put my powers in a choke hold.

“I’ll talk to Rowena and Cordelia about it tomorrow. I’m still training with them, even though I can’t actually use my magic.”

come up short a dozen times, it kept me distracted from the pangs of guilt in my chest. I’m sure none of us were going to

someone to bind my magic, and never once thought to tell me about any of this.” I scoffed, “Does it make me a bad person to wish she was alive just so I could ask what the h**l she

close. I was enveloped by him and silky blanket that covered us, lulled by his scent and the sparks of the mate-bond. I should’ve been knocked out and drooling but

I had admitted any of this aloud. I never usually had a tough time talking about my emotions, but my mom was a sore subject. I missed her desperately, but I was also so furious I could spit fire. What I needed was one of our old screaming matches, where I’d shout from

my cheeks would ache from laughing so much. Sleepovers where she’d drag out her makeup bag and show me all the little powders and brushes until we

the steady thud of his heart against his ribcage, I opened myself up to what he was saying and felt some of that rage subside. “To play devils advocate, have you ever thought she might’ve planned on telling you at

me happy.” I sighed into his chest and smiled softly when he shuddered from the feel of

a second and replied, “it’s

that’s a

s*****w. Still, all I could think about as my exhaustion grew stronger and sleep hovered at the edges of my vision was another version of my life where mom hadn’t been k****d in battle. Would it have changed anything? She barely called when I lived at grandmas for that year. My head pulled me one direction, battering me with facts while my heart ran in the

the night to a tugging feeling in my chest. Like a second heartbeat knocking against my ribcage, it thudded relentlessly until I turned over in

air made my n*****s pebble and sent goosebumps raising along my skin. Half-awake and longing to slip back into that peaceful deep sleep where dreams are no where in sight, I stumbled over to the middle window along the bedroom wall. All three were large with clear panes of glass that let in endless sunlight. Giant blackout c******s were all

arm to cover my b*****s, I inched open the curtain and peeked outside. The sky was painted in shades of dark blue and purple, hinting at the rising sun which would make its appearance in just a few short hours. I could see the outline of the forest that surrounded our estate, forming a half circle around the back.

I rolled my eyes and closed

shook his head disapprovingly, “What kind of Vampire Queen goes to bed at

glancing at the writhing shadows along the forest line, making sure they kept their distance. “You might be fond of these late -night chats, but this is interrupting my beauty sleep. Did

more early morning than late night.” He replied, ” Urgent? No, not yet. Giovanni left a few hours ago to meet up with his contacts, the ones that might have some texts on magic. Also, I heard about your magical block. I think it’d be helpful to know Holly doesn’t have