Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

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.

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.

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. I had felt the dark magic crawling up my arms, slithering over my shoulders and down my back, but there wasn’t so much as a speck as I looked down. I flipped them over to inspect them further and found nothing, absolutely nothing.

Sean shrugged, a knowing smile on his face.

“Evil can’t exist here.”

in his face. Only Sean would give me a half-assed explanation like that. Part of me wondered if they’d return when I woke up. It was something I could’ve easily asked Sean, but I wasn’t sure

had tainted every thought that passed through my

dead. Does that mean

that happened, tricking my family

perfect, the way I unknowingly threw Holly into

thought she should talk

the blood witch. How many meetings did she have with Holly under the guise of therapy sessions? How many did it take

be dead. This couldn’t be how things ended. There was too

visiting.” Sean explained, grinning when he caught my confused stare. “Don’t think too hard about it. Not many

tear slipped free as I closed my eyes.

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

He trailed off, eyes sparkling with mischief. “… but I have it on good authority to let you know if you win this if you defeat the blood

hard to wrap my head around what he was saying, but the thought of living a long life with Asher by my side no longer felt like a certainty. It felt like

can you know that?” I demanded,

someone looking out for you. Someone important.” He winked, and

some things to talk about and not nearly enough time to do it. Tell me,

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

Asher, Lola. It’ll eat him alive if he does, and

off my cheeks. “It shocked all of us. He hugged him,

smile returned to his face. “Tell dad I’m proud of him-that mom is too. And even though it wasn’t his fault, tell Asher that I forgive him.”

seen mom?!”

chuckled, glancing over to the forests edge. “Yeah, I have. She misses you,

much more vibrant. The longer I looked, the more I

and out of the trees, only to emerge and circle the park. The sunlight streaming down on the treetops sparkled like it had been imbued

magic; a kind that felt familiar

that place?” I asked, unable to tear my eyes away. “Can-Can I go in

head. When we locked eyes, there was a gentleness in them that I’d never seen before. It wrapped around my heart and

of no return, sis. Like I said, it’s not your time yet. Someday, you will, and when

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

Lola.” He demanded, though not unkindly. Reluctantly, I did as he said. ” I’m right where I’m

it; I didn’t want this moment to end. I threw myself into his arms, wishing more than anything that I could will my magic to stretch these seconds into hours- into an eternity. It would never be

wanting to

“Look up…” Sean whispered.

towards the patch of magical trees, and when I saw whatSean was looking at, my heart split in

smile on his face as he watched Sean and me. When he noticed me looking, he waved. When I turned back to Sean, his eyes were brimming with joy and love, so much that I now realized what a horrible mistake it had been to

time, Sean

I said, but the words came out as

tilted his head to look down at me. “I

Rather than shoving it down, I let it consume me. Then, like the birds and

you go

held on for

you hear me? You’re going