Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 223

Even chalk-white and swaying on two feet, Zeke managed a look of utter surprise. Tessa’s slender eyebrows fell into a grimace, and a subtle blush stained her face. From the way she avoided his gaze at all costs, I knew things were far from perfect between the two, but it was a start.

Tessa was no longer against us, so long as I held up my end and kept my word that witches would have a place in the world, one where they didn’t have to hide in the shadows.

“Can you heal him?” I asked her, nodding in Zeke’s direction.

“I think so, but I might need some help. I’ve only ever mended small wounds…

nothing like this. Plus, his weakness to silver is going to stunt things.” Tessa replied, peeling up the bottom half of Zeke’s shirt. When she made it to his back, where the gem-incrusted hilt jutted out a few inches from his spine, she winced. “I’m going to have to pull it out. It’s…it’s going to hurt.”

“Do it.” Zeke grunted, sinking to his knees to brace his hands in the dirt.

“On three…” Tessa murmured, gingerly wrapping her hands around the hilt. She took a deep, shuddering breath. “One… two…”

Without warning, she pulled. Zeke’s eyes flashed silver, his wolf threatening to emerge the second the blade slid from his back, and he let out a harrowing snarl.

“Now, Lola. Funnel your magic into me.” Tessa urged, flattening her hands on Zeke’s back, right overtop of the wound.

I did as she said and had to close my eyes halfway through to bask in how good it felt. A single thought and my magic flared to life like an obedient pet. It followed my every whim much like a dog would, only its sheer strength reminded me more of a fire-breathing dragon.

A thread of glistening gold connected Tessa and I, growing brighter the more magic I sent crackling through.

Nearly ten whole seconds later, Tessal lifted her hands from Zeke’s body and shouted, “Alright, Lola. That’s enough.”

At the snap of my fingers, the connection shattered into golden dust.

“Too much?” I questioned, tilting my head.

Zeke stood, pulling his t-shirt off to hand to Tessa. She wiped her hands on the clean parts of the fabric, then shuddered.

“It was intense, almost like drowning.” She said breathlessly, looking at me in a way I wasn’t sure I liked. “Is it like that all the time?”

not until I took off

a traitor, Tessa. Just as I predicted. If only you had Ember’s strength.” Rowena said, her voice no

“Ember’s strong, but her stubbornness keeps her from seeing the bigger picture. Freya won’t just stop with the Werewolves. She’ll go after the Vampire’s next, and then the humans. What will be left?

there?’ Breyona’s voice filled my head, distant and muffled. ‘Shit’s hit the fan, bad. I think I’m losing my mind here. Tell me you can

the most part. What’s going on?” I replied, desperately trying to keep my cool but truthfully, I was beginning to panic.

Asher- hadn’t felt a single thing through our bond, but I couldn’t just leave and let

trusted Zeke, Rowena was slippery and the moment she saw an opportunity to escape, she’d take it.

to kill Asher!’ Breyona shouted, her snarl ringing down the mate -bond along with another, one that lifted the hairs on my arms

was Asher. I was sure

out loud so that Zeke and Tessa

paling. “Is she sure? I’d never hurt Asher, you know that. Either way, I can’t be in two

he be standing right next to you and be trying to cut your mate’s heart out of his

don’t know!” I shouted, both out loud and through the mind-link. “I have no clue what’s going on. Just-just stop him from hurting Asher. I’ll be on my way as soon as possible.”

in response, her voice fading into the background.

damned

chose that moment to turn

something seriously wrong here, and I was going to get

prison this entire time?”

his earlier statement.

why I didn’t know what happened to your brother. Breyona called me up and told me she, Giovanni, and Tristan were searching for Asher and that something happened. She asked if I’d come help, and I wanted to-seriously, I did, but I wasn’t comfortable leaving the prison unprotected. She said if I changed my mind to meet her

amused

off the edge, hanging on with

fools.” She giggled to herself, the decayed patch of skin on her face wrinkling

Rowena?” I cocked an eyebrow, towering over her. “Do you know why Zeke’s suddenly able to be in two

I, Lola?” She purred, staring up at

with long tongues the color of an oil slick. She winced, and I watched with disgust as the decaying skin on her face began to peel away. The flesh beneath was black, like her

to bleed every secret from your body, Rowena.” I promised, my voice

darling.” She sneered, her full lips peeling back to expose her teeth.

you still with me?’ I called out to my best-friend, holding tightly