Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

Even worrying about Asher, which I’d been doing since the blood witch said he had problems of his own to deal with, sapped what little strength I had left.

As I swayed where I stood, staring down at the five lifeless bodies, the shadows watched from their hidden alcoves within the forest. Tristan stood nearby, his eyes flitting to my face every few seconds as though he were worried I’d topple over at any moment.

I sure felt like I was, but I’d never admit that.

Instead I frowned at the blood that watered the earth and thought about the words that the blood witch uttered.

“Make use of their blood…” I said quietly, lifting my gaze to peer at the darkness that surrounded us.

Cassidy continued to gnaw on her lower lip, which she’d been doing for the last half hour. “What do you mean by that?”

Tristan grunted, which was indication enough that he knew exactly what I meant.

“As reward for your service, you may feed on the blood that was spilled, only that of the five Vampire’s who needlessly lost their lives this night.” I said to the shadows, my voice strong despite the lead that weighed down my bones and claimed my energy. At the last moment, staring down at the men who had harbored such hatred for someone they knew very little about, I added: “…all I ask is that you return their bodies to the earth.

I wasn’t sure if the tendrils of darkness could feel my lack of strength, or if they were simply that hungry, but they swarmed the ground like the fog that often cloaked the entire town in the early morning hours, when the air was thick with humidity.

Cassidy let out a sound that was halfway between a croak and a wail, taking several steps back though the shadows still slithered around her feet.

“What in the h**l…” She muttered.

Within seconds the ground was clean, free from the blood and the bodies of the d**d Vampire’s.

“Lola, are you alright?” Tristan said quietly, his voice so low that I had to strain to hear him. “You look like you need some sleep…”

“I do, and I will, but only after I figure out how the h**l this happened.” I told him; thankful the others weren’t within hearing range. “Have the Vampire taken to a cell …one of the nicer ones. I don’t want her harmed, I can’t begin to stress that enough.”

“I’ll stay with her to make sure, but only after you’re safe in bed.” He replied, and as he held my gaze it wasn’t desire I felt, but the genuine need to protect and serve his Queen.

The handful of wolves on patrol who knew the location of Asher’s personal holding cells escorted the Vampire, each one under strict orders to only use force should she try and escape–and judging from how much blood she lost, that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

was promptly escorted home by a few of the remaining warriors in the patrol team. She must’ve not been too shaken up because the reluctant glances she tossed our way told me she didn’t exactly

the estate, where tensions continued to rise until I wasn’t sure who was

me as the four of us stood in the kitchen struck me as odd, especially considering it was her spell that had failed to work properly. For the first time, I was

one of the

you alone, Cordelia?” I asked, shattering the haze

on my shoulders, reinforcing the nagging thought that I

as we were alone, her stoic expression fell, deepening the lines that circled her eyes and mouth. “You’re wondering why my spell didn’t work, and I wish I could tell you, Lola, but I just don’t know.” She placed her hands flat on the marble countertop and stared down at the flat colors. “There’s a chance it could’ve been overridden by the blood witch’s magic,

that they were, which means I’ll have to talk to Asher as soon as possible.” I forced the words through clenched teeth, fighting the urge to start shouting down the mate-bond, linking

I’d most likely have seconds before

lowered voice and unwavering gaze put a stop to my disorganized thoughts, bringing my attention back to the present. She leaned forwards, skewering me with her eyes. “What exactly did

memory dancing behind my eyes. Tendrils of darkness wrapping around limbs, piercing the skin like

friends are alive. Not only that, but the amount of residual power I felt was intense…to say the least.” Cordelia replied, pursing her lips. “The shadows were watching you, child, and don’t think I didn’t

feeling in my gut that told me to keep quiet, to give as little information as possible. “I don’t know exactly what I did, but it worked, and the

doorway both Tristan and Rowena vanished through. It led deeper into the house, past the living room and curved staircase to

keep the question at bay for any longer. It had been over a week now that the

hurt to suspect her as the enemy frowned. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with. You’ve got enough on your plate

had the strong feeling this was more than just a spat,

three hours curled up on the couch in

couple warriors on patrol that there’s a new face in

stretching my arms far above my head. Delirious with the remnants of sleep, I groaned as

glass Tristan left on the table before I slumped over. ‘No

like I didn’t miss the frustration

his anger vibrating the mate-bond between us. Highly saturated images of last night flashed in my head, replaying the battle between myself and the Vampires for Asher to

my stomach dropped and intuition spiked. Without a doubt, I knew what I was saying was the truth. ‘Whatever their plans are-whatever their goal is, they’re close. I

trouble to warn you herself, you must have something she wants. She wants to throw you off your game, get you doubting

magic of his own, his intuition was just as

into the kitchen, wincing against the bright light of the refrigerator as I opened the door. A water bottle full of blood sat on the top shelf, courtesy of

him, taking a long drink from the bottle before sighing deeply. ‘After what I did with

blood in my mouth turned sour from the thought. I twisted the cap back on and placed it in the fridge, already rejuvenated from the small