Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 235

“No. No, I don’t believe you.” Ember said after several seconds of silence.

She turned around, her face turned towards the door as though she might storm through it and leave Brandon and I to our own defenses. She didn’t, though. Her hesitation wasn’t just written across her face but was also in her posture. In the way she stood with her arms folded over her chest, her foot tapping incessantly against the concrete floor.

I needed to say something, because if Ember left, I had a feeling I wouldn’t be here when she finally returned.

“Why would I lie?” I asked her, truly wanting to understand.

She scoffed, shaking her head at the door.

I was met with a scathing eye roll when she spun on her heel. “Are you really asking me that? What a stupid question.

You’re lying because you want me to turn against Freya.”

“As if that would work.” Brandon muttered.

I sent him a warning glare which he attempted to shrug at, but it was hard to do so when you were bound to the wall by the fiery touch of silver.

“If that was even a possibility, wouldn’t I have started with that the second you came into the room?” I countered, pulling Ember’s attention away from her idiotic mate and back onto me.

“It doesn’t matter. Tessa’s probably rotting away in one of your cells, being tortured for information.” She snapped, her eyes flaring with magic.

There was a hint of vulnerability in her voice, a crack in her armor that I could use to my advantage. Clearly, she and Tessa were all one another had. Ember was stubborn, that much I could tell up front. She’d never believe me outright.

“You’re wrong, but if it helps fuel your hatred for us, you can go ahead and keep thinking that.” I replied indifferently.

The air in this dingy basement began to heat, radiating from Ember like she was our personal fireplace. Instead of the crisp scent of a bonfire, the air smelt of charred apples and burnt cinnamon.

“You’re insane, then. She’ll slit your mate’s throat in his sleep.” She replied.

If she was trying to goad me, it wouldn’t work. I was running on limited energy as is and I wasn’t nearly foolish enough to waste it screaming at her.

This was my one and only shot, and I needed to take it.

I chuckled humorlessly. “Yeah, I doubt that. She’s got her hands full already with Zeke. Unlike you, she hasn’t explicitly stated what she wants, but I have a feeling she’d like to keep her mate too. I’m not saying she hasn’t seen the inside. of a cell. She has, but that’s not where she is currently. Oh, and we didn’t torture her. Actually, I gave her a choice.”

Ember narrowed her eyes into two small. slits. “A choice? What kind of choice?”

“I told her to pick a side: mine or Freya’s.”

“What did she say?” She pressed.

on the side of life.” I

towards the floor. A look

kind a home, a place where we can

control. What makes you think she’ll stop once the Vampire’s and

next. It’s only a matter of time. Tessa knows that, and something tells

is that

running things for centuries.” Ember shot

fury fueled the fire in her eyes, but there was another layer hidden beneath the surface. The ground that fire burned on wasn’t stable. It was cracked- eroding under her feet.

never got the chance to reply because Brandon beat me to it.

magic comes from nature, right?” He asked, his eyes on

She replied stiffly. “More or less.”

tell

only one. Ember glowered at her mate but said nothing. That was definitely going to take some getting used to if we survived this. I couldn’t help but wonder what Asher would think if he could

had stubborn and hotheaded. down to an art form.

right places, both soothing and heavy with a dire plea. “You know as well as I do

reaching it’s peak when she whirled on him. Her cheeks were flaming nearly as bright as her eyes

what, Brandon. You’re telling me to give up my life’s mission for –for her?! What’s so great about her plan?” She spun around and

upside the face. “You can’t tell me

around a campfire singing Kumbaya instead of killing

are wrong. Your

to an Alpha’s younger brother. Did you know Brandon here was the one that planned all of the protection detail for the Vampire’s safe haven? He wanted to take charge, and he did an amazing job.

ever trusted anyone before in her life. I didn’t have it in me to feign indifference anymore. She needed to know how important this was and how

to create a world we can all live One where Witches and Vampire’s don’t have to answer to Wolves – a world we all rule. We can do more than just coexist, Ember. Your Brandon’s mate. You’re meant to help us. We have a chance at actual peace, but it won’t happen without you on our side. How could you not want that?” This time, I was begging. I let every broken, shattered piece of my soul shine through my eyes, brightened by the

scowl on her face as though she couldn’t bare to look. Her eyes drifted to the door and my heart crashed, falling to the floor in a million

let you go,

kill her. Then, I’d find a way to stop

the other witch we sent into your pack?” Ember frowned, a strange light flickering in her

know we’re already in

kill every werewolf in the world. They’re in danger no matter where

door, her eyes growing wide as she cocked her head. “Wait, you

else would

eyebrows were pinched and the fire in her eyes was nonexistent. She looked… worried, and I wasn’t at all prepared for how unsettling

“Enslaving you is only the first part of her plan. There’s another spell, one she’s been working on for

croaked as what little

step closer. “Tell her, Ember. What

she didn’t want to see our reactions. A wave of nausea hit me in the chest,

to bring your father back to life, and you’ll never