Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 244

Holly and Tristan

Three Years Later – Holly’s P.O.V.

The breeze was blissfully cold against my skin, the sunlight a slight tingle that rippled over my exposed arms and shoulders.

Winter was approaching, tainting the air with its crisp scent. No matter how much

I ventured outdoors and basked in the sunlight, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get enough. Even though I burned easily- thank you, Vampire genetics-it was a wonderful taste of freedom that I’d never take for granted.

The shrill screams of children playing pierced my ears. I didn’t find it irksome the way some of the parents here did.

Despite how loud they were, their wails were full of joy and innocence that could never be replicated or replaced.

I looked up from the stack of papers in my hands, focusing on the children racing across the mulch just ten feet away. The tiny font had been giving me a headache for the past two hours now.

“Honey, you need to stop and tie your shoe! You’re going to trip and fall.” The woman on the bench beside me shouted, wrapping her pea coat tighter around her waist when a breeze traveled through.

A little girl with sable pigtails halted in her tracks, her head turned in the direction of the woman’s voice. She got down on one knee, and tied the laces of her sparkly tennis shoes before taking off towards the monkey bars.

Someday soon, Lola’s twin’s would be running around this very playground. Just last month we’d all gathered for their first birthday. A daydream began to form in my head, painting an idyllic picture that felt like it belonged to some other girl and not myself. a

It wasn’t just Lola’s twins running amok, climbing the jungle gym to race down the spiral slide. They were accompanied by another child, a little girl with Tristan’s golden hair and my pale eyes.

I shook my head, clearing the image from my mind. No matter how many therapy sessions I attended, there was this cloud of guilt that followed me, looming over my head and blotting out the sunlight.

Lola deserved her happily ever after. She’d fought tooth and nail for it. I didn’t fight for anything, yet here I was with a wonderful mate and a future ripe for the taking.

I wasn’t entirely sure I deserved any of it.

Another hour passed before the woman stood from the bench and corralled the little girl into their arms. Now alone, I basked in the warmth that kissed my skin, wishing it would ease the ball of nerves in my stomach.

I glared at the stack of papers on my lap and sighed heavily. These would have to be dealt with. There was no one else to pass them off on, unfortunately.

A shadow passed in front of my face, erasing the sun from view. I craned my head up to see Clara standing over me, a hand propped on her curvy hip. Her lips were tilted in a knowing smile.

“How can someone look so miserable on a day like this?” She drawled before plopping down beside me.

paperwork out for her to

curls bounced happily. Having straight, fine hair was becoming

that doesn’t look like

her the stack of papers. Her eyes skimmed over the words several times. I couldn’t blame her for not figuring it

first page. It was a medieval-looking crest with a raven at its center, crossed by a sword and a spear. Clara’s eyes flickered over

The way she grabbed my hands. and squealed helped ease

the magical arts. When I presented the idea to Lola, she was absolutely ecstatic. I

ever needed to

built, and with its shiny new halls and state of the art classrooms, the

we’ve still got a long way to go before the place is up and running.” I murmured with a heavy sigh. Taking the

softened with concern.

shoulder to snare my attention. “Hey, what’s wrong? You should be excited. This

inside of my cheek. “I-I just don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I mean, seriously. I’m not equipped to teach. I barely know enough about my own magic. This was my idea, but now that it’s complete, I have no

love a teaching position myself.” Clara said, quickly trailing off. She hummed thoughtfully, her eyes flicking

hands were on my shoulders before

grin on her face, and a strange light in

a hint of skepticism bleeding into

exuded smugness, which only made my curiosity worsen. More than anything, I wanted

sat up straighter, holding back the desperation that swelled in my voice. ”

what is it?”

Headmistress Holly sound?” She asked, a mischievous twinkle in her

??

one year ago, but as I walk down the main hall of the Magisterium, my heels

imagine myself anywhere else.

who was afraid of the world and all it had to offer, was slowly dwindling away with each day that passed. I still spoke with my therapist, but it was now on an as

been too wrapped up in my head, too angry at the mistakes I made in

janitor, said warmly.

on the pocket, I returned his smile. “Good morning, Carl. Ready for

little hellions won’t get me this year.” He laughed, pulling out a small fire

stifle my laugh, it slipped out without warning. “I promise you, there won’t be

mishap last year from one of our younger elementals. The girl hadn’t meant to hit him in the shoulder, but his clothes went up in flame, nonetheless. Thankfully, after a

mistake or twelve before getting it right.” Carl winked and continued down

was such a good sport, and all too understanding with the witches at the Academy. The work Lola and Asher was doing was slowly paying off. There were significantly less issues this year than ever before, and the werewolves in this pack were slowly warming

my hand were the students and their respective classes. Alongside

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