Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

“What the f**k?” I deadpanned, staring at what could easily be my father’s clone like the man himself had risen from the grave and sewn his head back on.

I couldn’t process the thoughts churning in my head enough to formulate any other response, but I couldn’t help but feel as though those three words summed things up brilliantly.

He had the same thick hair, composed of the darkest onyx, that Holly and I inherited, along with the startling eyes. His build was definitely larger than my father’s, but his face, the wide-set jaw and sloped nose-that was the same.

The man who claimed to be my uncle – as if that wasn’t the weirdest thing I’d ever said, raised one of his dark eyebrows. “Well said.”

“You’re Deacon?” I managed, my voice a touch suspicious.

He nodded imperceptibly, “That’s what I’m called.”

“The former King doesn’t have a brother. I spent nearly all of my time by his side, and never had he mentioned a brother. How is this possible?” Tristan grimaced, hovering protectively at my side.

Deacon snorted at Tristan’s reaction, his broad shoulders shifting in the process. The other Vampire’s in the warehouse, the one’s he’d been conversing with, stared with equal parts curiosity and contempt.

“You think just because you spent your every waking moment preening after my brother, means you get access to his secrets? Try again. My brother would’ve served your head to the witches on a silver platter if it meant getting what he wanted, no matter how loyal you were.” He replied, rubbing at the stubble on his chin as though he had a second, more amusing thought. “No wonder you’re following this one around. You must be grateful she got rid of him before he could get rid of you.”

The teasing and condescending tone laced within his rough voice made me bristle, sending a rush of heat down my neck and arms.

“Lola. My name is Lola.”

replied, putting emphasis on my name as he stared at me with those glacier eyes -cold, but

his, even with all the Vampire’s

the Vampire Queen. You must have your hands full. Does your mate know you’re here? Alpha

trying to k**l me, and yes, Asher knows I’m here.” I

tilted his head ever so slightly. It was something my father would’ve never done, a movement that lacked the class and

here, and even if he does, I have a strong feeling he doesn’t know where here is. So, what’s keeping me from separating your head from your body like you did my brother, and sending your little minion here marching

off of him like a furnace, so scalding that I thought he might sink into

head off. I craned my head to the left and right, pretending to look around. “As far as I can tell, you’re holed up here, in a trashy warehouse.

did so, I realized why my father never smiled

unshod knowledge and cruelty. Even though there were differences between the two, I had a feeling

the murders in your pack, or of your mate’s unhinged nature? I can relate, you know. Living with someone cruel and violent is draining –

my chest rather than giving Deacon the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to me. A thought slithered into my head, and rather than play it safe in hopes

frightening.” I nodded solemnly. “It affects me so deeply because a certain prisoner of mine, the one who gave me the directions to this place, she didn’t mention anything about who you were. I can’t help but feel that Bridgette

his eyes vanished, blown out like a candle whose wisps of smoke trickled and

was flat, not too loud but

pause, the Vampire’s surrounding us began to move, bustling towards the fallen

stay, Dina.” He grunted at the

of the road nodded, and I swore a wave of understanding passed between