Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

Chapter 166 – Razor thin branches slapped at our faces, stinging our ankles and any visible piece of skin. The darkness was all consuming, the shadows thick as they surrounded us like the heavy fabric of a cloak.

If only they protected us the way a cloak would, if only they offered their assistance as they had numerous times in the past.

In the past, they’d jump at the opportunity to be of service, to exact a price they saw most fitting. Their whispers would plague my mind, their slippery voices a haunting song of desperation, excitement, and longing.

I could hear their whispers, only this time they didn’t seem to be speaking to me, but to each other. Flinging them around the forest so quickly I couldn’t make out what the h**l they were saying.

“Wait a d**n second.” I panted, gritting my teeth together as Cassidy stepped on something sharp and snarled angrily. The scent of fresh blood was instant and made what I was about to say even more important. “Those were Vampires.”

Cassidy sucked in a sharp breath, swatting away the stray branches as they wacked her in the face. “As far as I’m concerned, just as scary as witches.” The whites of her eyes were visible as she glanced at Tristan, who ran in between us. “…no offense.”

“None taken.” He huffed. “You said the guy you stabbed was already d**d?”

I’d given him a rundown of what Cassidy had told me, even though I didn’t exactly understand what happened myself. Lars was d**d, yet undead? I knew without asking that magic was responsible, but it was a kind of magic I hadn’t learned about yet-and one I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“Sure was.” She replied, her voice thick and tinged with both nausea and fear. “He decomposed after I k****d him, but I swear I could smell him the second I walked through the door. I…I thought he left some meat out or something and it spoiled.”

Tristan nodded grimly, which looked odd considering we were still running like lunatics through the forest in the d**d of night. “That’s definitely the work of magic, which means the Vampire’s are working with witches. Or at least, some of them are.”

“Lola, maybe you should mind-link the warriors.” Cassidy huffed, increasing her pace even though she was barefoot and sporting a mini dress.

“Cordelia put a spell on the territory. It’s supposed to alert Asher and I if there’s a breach, but I don’t think it worked.” I replied, a bit reluctant to admit this second part. “I don’t want these Vampire’s k****d…which is exactly what the patrol teams will do.”

Cassidy gaped, stumbling over a root that protruded from the ground. If it weren’t for Tristan’s quick

allow two werewolves and one vampire to apprehend not only six vampires, but a d**d/undead biker named Lars. This was one of those impossible

one was coming to help. It was only us, surrounded by forest so dense that almost no moonlight could break through. The canopies overhead only allowed the smallest sliver, which is what lit our way as

alone,

at rapid fire that I couldn’t even begin to

weren’t going to use it in times of dire need. I couldn’t rely on my magic, not without proper training, but I could rely on the otherworldly power of the

it carved through

to understanding. It was that understanding that darkened his eyes and hardened his jaw. I swore beneath the rustling of foliage and the crunch of earth beneath our feet, I could hear his teeth

faltering when I dug my heels into the ground and

writhing mounds of darkness that hid behind the thick trees and large stones.

his eyes darting in all directions. I couldn’t tell if he were searching for the shadows, or for a sign of the Vampire’s

ask for anything in return.” I told him, well aware that I was coming off as manic, but it wasn’t just our best option, it was our

eyes, scanning the forest line. “That’s not possible. They always have a price.

this, for Tristan and me to argue over something I was so sure about. The way their behavior had changed

with me but were

I bellowed, balling my hands into

followed by the crunch of gravel and branches beneath heavy feet. Tristan grabbed my arm, his grip almost painful. I shoved him off,

genuine concern filling his eyes, turning them

it was Cassidy’s whimper that told me our chance to evade had just

“Watch me.”

Breyona d***g in that clearing was all too easy. Like it was hours ago, I could recall the fear, the utter hopelessness that had filled every corner of my soul, had filled my body with cement until I thought I’d sink into the earth, never to