Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 233

One moment I’d been swallowed by the darkness, and the next it was nowhere to be seen.

Light assaulted my eyes, carrying with it colors so vibrant they practically glowed.

Sprawling hills of emerald grass wove in and out of the land in all directions, topped with lush trees whose branches dipped and bowed, providing soothing patches of shade to escape in when the sun became too unbearable.

Rays of glittering gold shone over everything. Over the birds as they flew, over the butterflies that darted from wildflower to wildflower. They even shone over the structures in the distance, the ones that rose up out of the grown at odd angles, with pieces that swung in the gentle breeze. 1

Wait a second. Was this a park?

I broke into a jog, racing down the hill I stood atop of. Silky threads of grass caressed my legs, gentle against my bare skin. The air was cool in my lungs and surprisingly sweet on my tongue. As it filled my body, my head became clearer.

Drawing near, the figures that had once been blurry in the distance were now sharp and vibrant with color.

A jungle gym sat to my left, one with spiral towers and a network of little wooden bridges that made it look like a child’s dream castle. To the left was another tower with a slide curling around it’s base. A swing set sat next to it, the four seats swaying in the breeze. 1

In between the structures was a network of paths, dotted with benches and water fountains.

A pang of recognition struck me right in my chest, but it was nothing in comparison to the surprise that rendered me speechless when I heard his voice.

“Lola? It’s about time. I was beginning to think you were standing me up.”

I spun around so fast the world blurred, colors mixing and the air sparkling with hints of what I swore were actual magic.

None of that mattered though, because the man standing before me with a wistful smile on his face, was none other than Sean.

My big brother.

Looking back, I wouldn’t remember sprinting to him or how the scenery seemed to change, the distance between us shrinking as though the earth itself couldn’t wait to see us embrace. What I’d remember was throwing myself into his arms, taking in his scent and the way his skin glowed with life and warmth.

The wall I’d constructed in my heart, the one holding back every ounce of grief and pain, was obliterated the moment I stared into his eyes.

I couldn’t stop crying, just as I couldn’t stop staring at him, clinging to his shirt and skin because who knew when this dream would end, and I’d spiral back into the real world? The shards of my shattered, broken heart slipped through my fingers, slicing my skin as they fell to the ground.

My brother was gone, dead. The boy I grew up with, who was there for every single moment, was lost.

Sean took my face in his hands, smoothing away my tears and continuing to do so even

when the action caused more to fall. The entire time, his wistful smile remained in place.

“Now, sis. This isn’t the place for tears. Can’t you feel it? Here, take some deep breaths. Let it wash over you. You remember this park, don’t you?”

I had no clue what he was talking about but did as he said regardless. Swallowing a

ragged sob, I inhaled deeply. The crisp air swirled in my lungs, sweet from the wildflowers sprouting in thick clusters. Some of the pain subsided, and with it came a feeling of peace.

Sean was right, I did remember this place. This was the park mom would take us too as kids. It was where I’d go with Sean after school. As children, we’d race to the swings and try to get as high as we could. Mom would always scold us, saying it was too dangerous, but we did it anyway.

With each breath I sucked in, the feeling grew. It settled in my bones, bringing on a weightless sensation that had me looking down at my hands.

My unblemished hands.

down my back, but there wasn’t so much as a speck as

shrugged, a knowing smile on

exist here.”

like that. Part of me wondered if they’d return when I

every thought that passed through my brain, coating in malice, jealousy, and evil. It had been corrupting me from the

that

turn me over to her mother. It was all too perfect, the way I unknowingly threw Holly into her mother’s arms. I’d been the one to set things up between

was the one who thought she should talk

meetings did she have with Holly under the guise of therapy sessions? How many did it take for her

ended. There was too much to fix, and

caught my confused stare. “Don’t think too hard about it. Not many people get the chance to say goodbye.”

slipped free as I

come back a second time…only to stay. I don’t know what I’m doing,

maybe.” Sean mused. “There’s always that possibility. Life isn’t a certainty, and anything can happen but…” He trailed off, eyes sparkling with mischief. “…but I have it on good authority to let you know if you win this if you

with Asher by my side no longer felt like a certainty. It felt like a dream, one

can you know that?” I demanded,

say, you’ve got someone looking out for you. Someone important.” He winked, and I had the feeling he expected me to know who he was talking about. “Now, we’ve got some things to talk about and not nearly enough time to do it. Tell me, how’s dad

moments after his death, the tears continued to slip free. Sean’s smile

he doesn’t blame Asher,

him alive if he does, and he’s not meant to come here for

doesn’t.” I chuckled, wiping the moisture off my cheeks. “It

soft smile returned to his

And even though it wasn’t his fault, tell Asher that I forgive

seen mom?!” I gasped.

over to the forests edge. “Yeah, I have. She misses you, Lola, but she’s loved seeing

average forest, though the colors were much more vibrant. The longer I looked, the

that made this forest anything

seemed attracted to that one spot, weaving in and out of the trees, only to emerge and circle the park. The sunlight streaming down on the treetops sparkled like it had been

a

unable to tear my eyes away. “Can-Can I

me to turn my head. When we locked eyes, there was a gentleness in them that I’d never seen before. It wrapped around my heart and stole away the pain, replacing it with a longing so

sis. Like I said, it’s not your time yet. Someday, you will, and when you do, I’ll be

my eyes, fighting the wave of tears.” I don’t

I’m right where I’m

into his arms, wishing more than anything that I could will my magic to stretch these seconds into hours- into an eternity.

sobbed into his chest, not wanting to let go, something rustled within

up…” Sean whispered.

towards the patch of magical trees, and when I

my

grove, a breathtaking smile on his face as he watched

When I turned back to Sean, his eyes were brimming with joy and love, so much that I

time, Sean

words came out as a whisper. “You’re

look down at me. “I am, Lola. I promise.”